CDA

Tammy Tait

Hello, my name is Tammy Tait and I am the Child Development Advisor (CDA) at Heloise Lorimer School.  My focus is on supporting students social and emotional health, especially at times like these.  We are all looking forward to the 2020-21 school year, even though we know it's going to look a little different than we are used to.

I can be reached at the school at 403.945.4135 x3514 or ttait@rockyview.ab.ca - feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

As the CDA, I offer individual or group work with specific students, as well as some class-wide skill development.   I support school staff and parents, as well as collaborate with outside agencies.

Some reasons why I may engage with students include:

• Anxiety and Depression

• Loss and Grief

• Conflict Resolution

• Problem Solving

• Family support/referrals

• Resiliency/character building

• Healthy relationships

• Social Skills

• Anger management

As we prepare for back to school, some helpful tips include:

• Being aware of the latest information from the department of health and education through their websites
• Building a schedule/predictable routine for your children during this time of change
• Encouraging healthy sleep habits- be prepared for everyone to be extra tired as we readjust to being back at school (whether in person or online)
• Daily journaling (through words or pictures) during this time might be a helpful way to allow children to reflect on their feelings, and process what is happening around them
• Encourage a daily reflection of something positive from each day, as well as something they learned each day

Below is some information to support you in talking to your children about COVID-19:

https://cmho.org/six-tips-to-support-your-childs-mental-wellness/

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/talking-with-children.html

https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/fact-sheet/outbreak_factsheet_1.pdf?mc_cid=05e9199e36&mc_eid=6ea5940149

https://globalnews.ca/news/6671709/talk-to-kids-about-coronavirus/

https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-(coronavirus)-a-parent-resource

Videos about handwashing and wearing a mask:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxlQn7KaCNU&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=HPBsg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVBZdbiWumE&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=CBCKids

If you are looking for other ways to support your children’s social emotional development, please check out the links below:

Zones of Regulation: Helps identify your child’s emotions, and targets strategies to use based on how they are feeling:

http://www.zonesofregulation.com/index.html

Take a few minutes each day to practice being mindful with your children, with apps such as Smiling Mind:

https://www.smilingmind.com.au/

Help your children with their social thinking skills:

https://www.socialthinking.com/eLearning/aha-teaching-moments

Focus on resiliency:

https://www.foothillsnetwork.ca/Foothillsnetwork/media/Files/Resources/Social%20and%20Emotional%20Development/tms-prov-amh-mhpip-bbrbs-5-to-8-years-(002).pdf

If you are looking for more specific resources, you can search a variety of topics here:

http://www.selresources.com/

If you, or your child needs more specific mental health supports, you can contact:

Kids Help Phone 1.800.668.6868

Airdrie Mental Health 403.943.1500

Distress Centre 403.266.4357

ConnectTeen 403.264.8336

If you need help accessing other services (such as financial supports or food/basic needs), during these times, dial 211 or contact https://www.ab.211.ca/

“We will get through this together – but from a distance”

Stay strong, Knights!