Resources for Children, Youth and Families

Children are impacted by moments like these.  Even if they aren’t watching the news they’re picking it up.  And they’re picking up the stress of their parents, teachers, family and classmates.  You can do a lot to reduce their stress and remove their fears.  You’ll find more guidance for children and teens during times of disaster and trauma at our Disaster Resource pages. 

Here you'll find a weekly listing of the Top 3 Resources we've discovered in each of 4 categories related to Faith Formation and Discipleship during a time of physical distancing for churches.  Each underlined heading is a link to a full page of all resources we've curated and will continue to curate during these times.

From the Discipleship Team Staff and SNE Staff

Grief - We recognize that in this time of pandemic and loss, grief support is especially valuable. That is why you can find curated lists of materials and links to sites supporting grief work locally and nationally, here. You may also visit this page on our SNEUCC website where you'll find additional resources for support and information. 

• Grief Support for Children, Youth, and Families- Curated by the SNEUCC   
• Talking with & Guiding Children and Youth Through the Tough Issues-Curated by the SNEUCC

Churches Respond to the Scourge of Racism- We further recognize that with all that is going on in our nation, people of faith want to be empowered to bring the good news and to do something positive to nurture a generation of children who will stem the tide of racism.  Here is a curated list of resources to proactively assist families to make that first step in this time.

• A Few Good Resources for Exploring Diversity and Anti-Racism from the SNEUCC Discipleship Team
• AUCE Anti-Racism Resources for Households from the Association of United Church Educators
• Your Kids Aren't Too Young to Talk About Race from Pretty Good
• The Conscious Kid -Organization and booklists- dedicated to equity and promoting positive racial identity development in youth

Faith Formation at Home 

• Roots at Home Resources  
   
• 40 Ideas for Families from Network (Faith Forming Families- CRC)
   
• Faith Nurture-Super Fun Way to Help Families Form Faith-Summer 2020 Edition

Resources for Families and Households in Times of Stress 

• Tips to Reduce Stress at Home from Health Net
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• 5 Stress Relief Activities Families Can Do Together- Mercy Home
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• 13 Stress Relief Tips for Kids from Active Kids

At Home Activities for Children and Youth 

• Summer Survival Guide for Moms from Faithful Moms Website
   
• If I Were an Astronaut-Story Time from Space (and science experiments too)
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• How to Entertain Your Kids This Summer- Or Maybe Don't - NY Times

Tips (Resources) for Faith Formation and Youth Leaders (including virtual and online ministry)

• Tips and Tricks: Teachers Educating on Zoom from Zoom
  
  
• Safe Conduct Workbench-CoVid 19 Resources from the United Church Insurance Board (UCCIB)
  
  
• ​Pastoral Care and Youth- Yale Youth Ministry Institute (YMI)

Events and Learning Opportunities

Faith Formation Phasing Forward-to gather or not?   Link to the Video Recording here.

• Parents and Families- K. Putney
• Safety and Volunteers- K. Ziel
• Discipleship - Remember Your Purpose- D. Kirk 
• Breakout Session 2- Group Notes
• Resources List and Links-PDF

 

• Upcoming Webinars- from Practical Resources for Churches
   
• Upcoming Webinars from Vibrant Faith Ministries