F4 - Supporting Stressed-out Kids: Everyday Activities to Purposefully Build Resilience

It seems everyone has a special heart for kids involved in crisis. A critical incident that involves kids is one of the “Top Ten” most difficult crises listed for emergency responders. As Crisis Responders, we learn how to support the young ones after an incident which is critical. However, I believe we are often missing the important opportunity of teaching the children and youth directly how to manage stress themselves, before a critical incident happens. I have spent years doing physical activities with children and youth to help them manage stress. They love it! Many of them truly embrace it and integrate it into their everyday lives. They also share their knowledge and teach others (including their parents) how to calm themselves. This work shop will discuss a recent case study at a charter school in NC where stress management activities were taught to K-5 classes as part of a Safe Schools grant. In this workshop age-appropriate education about the brain, and specific physical activities to reduce stress with children and youth will be demonstrated. Each participant is encouraged to try each activity to better understand and feel the power of the movement. NOTE: All individuals can participate! Each activity can be adjusted to meet physical limitations.

*Profession Specific CEs:

This presentation is approved for 1.0 CE Credits by The Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency, Inc. (AACMHA) as an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.

This presentation is approved for 1 PDH from EAPA- Employee Assistance Professionals Association.

1 CE Credits for NAADAC, This course has been approved by International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider # 87914, International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), is responsible for all aspects of the programing.

*Review ICISF World Congress 17 CE website page for additional requirements.