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May 28
Pride Month

Celebrating Pride Month

By In The News, Resources

Pride Month is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. It is celebrated in June to commemorate the Stonewall uprisings in June of 1969. The Stonewall Inn in Manhattan, NY was the site of riots and demonstrations by members of the gay community against a police raid. This sparked the beginning of a movement to change discriminatory laws and practices against LGBTQ Americans.

Big Brothers Bigs Sisters of Tampa Bay welcomes and celebrates the differences that make us all unique! As we celebrate Pride Month, we will answer commonly asked questions about the LGBTQ community and feature stories of LGBTQ volunteers on our social media.

What is “Coming Out”?

“Coming Out” is a phrase we often hear when describing an individual’s LGBTQ journey. “Coming Out” refers to the process that people who are LGBTQ go through as they work to accept their sexual orientation or gender identity and share that identity openly with other people. This process can be mentally and emotionally draining. At Big Brothers Big Sisters, we know it takes courage to be who you truly are. Learn how you can support your friends and family if they come out with this resource from Human Rights Campaign (HRC).

What does being transgender mean?

Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation. Therefore, transgender people may identify as straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc. It’s ok to have questions about the transgender community! Visit HRC FAQ page to educate yourself and become a better ally to the trans community.

Why is it important to ask for pronouns?

Pronouns are connected to gender identity. Using someone’s correct personal pronouns is a way to respect them and create an inclusive environment, just as using a person’s name can be a way to respect them. It’s important to ask for everyone’s pronouns rather than assuming a person’s gender identity based on the way they present themselves. Learn more about pronouns and ways to ask for them at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and MyPronouns.org.

Can I tell people about my friend’s LGBTQ status?

Exposing someone’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or gender non-binary identity to others without their permission is called “outing”. Outing someone can have serious repercussions on employment, economic stability, personal safety, or religious or family situations. Be someone your friends and family can trust with the HRC Coming Out Ally Resource.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay is committed to ensuring its programs are inclusive to all youth and volunteers. Equality, diversity, and inclusiveness are critical components of our mission. We encourage volunteers of all sexual orientations, races, colors, religions, genders, gender identities, gender expressions, ages, national origins, disabilities, marital status, or military status to get involved and become a defender of potential in our community.

Show your support for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay during Pride Month by sharing your experience or wearing your pride shirt on social media and use the hashtag #BigPride!

Together, let’s clear a path to a child’s biggest possible future. Become a mentor to a child in our community.

May 28
Get Vaccinated

Letter from the CEO: Get Vaccinated

By Resources

The news is increasingly positive about our fight against the COVID-19 virus here in the United States. More than half of all U.S. adults are now fully vaccinated (i.e., 130 million people), with another 70 million already in the process of being vaccinated. In addition, 5 million adolescents who are 12 years of age or older have already received at least one shot.   

Can we say we are winning yet? Well, we have clearly already won some major battles, but the war is not yet won. Accordingly, the fight continues! President Biden has set a national goal of 70% of the adult population being vaccinated with at least one shot by the 4th of July, as our next big goal in this war.    

I am reaching out today to all our Big Brother Big Sister volunteers to strongly encourage each of you to get vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus at your earliest convenience if you have not done so already. These vaccinations are free of charge and now readily available at many Publix, CVS, and Walgreen pharmacies, among other locations. 

While this is a personal decision that each of you must make, I want to remind you that getting vaccinated is not just for your own safety but also for the safety of the children & families we serve as well as the safety of our agency staff and the overall community.  

While we are finally gaining significant ground against this terrible virus, we have seen it reappear time and again in different locations here in the U.S. and across the world. We have also seen new variants of this virus develop that are much more contagious than the original form of this virus, the most recent of which is from India, where the virus is currently out of control.  

In this country, the virus has impacted our communities of color worse than almost any other. Well over 70% of the children we currently serve are members of one of these communities. Accordingly, we all must do all we can to keep all our children and youth as well as their families as safe as possible by getting vaccinated. This is also consistent with our efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in all areas, including public health.  

The children and youth we have the privilege of serving have been entrusted to us by their parents or legal guardians. It is our duty to do all we can to protect the safety and well-being of all these children and youth and to position ourselves as best we can to improve their lives by helping them all achieve positive outcomes in the months and years ahead.

The pandemic has cost us all very much, personally, as a community, and as a nation. We are increasingly close to having this virus under control in this country. You getting vaccinated as well will greatly help with this effort and lead to the eventual elimination of COVID-19.  

If for some medical or other reason you are unable or are otherwise unwilling to get vaccinated, we ask that you please continue always to wear your mask while with your Little, practice social distancing, and other practices recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Whether vaccinated or not, the CDC website provides up-to-date advice for when you need to wear your mask still and when you can remove it. See the CDC link below in my ‘P.S.’ for lots of good information about this, which is updated periodically. 

Please reach out to your Match Support Specialist at our agency if you have any questions regarding the above or have other ideas/suggestions on how to keep everyone safe!

I and everyone at our agency deeply appreciate all that you do very, very much.  

All my best, 

 

 

Stephen A. Koch

President & CEO

P.S. For information about the vaccines available as well as where to get a vaccine, please visit the CDC website.  

Note: Children under 12 are still not eligible to get vaccinated. We need to look out for all our children and youth as best we can until they are all safely vaccinated.

May 12
Diverse group of kids looking at a comic book.

Talking to Kids about Anti-AAPI Racism, Diversity, and Social Justice

By In The News, Match Events

Our work at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay improves lives and helps connect our wonderfully diverse communities to one another. Part of building that understanding is helping our children process their feelings in the wake of injustice, such as the recent attacks on Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in Atlanta and across the nation as COVID-19 rocked our communities. Many kids are feeling anxious, confused, or scared and have questions about what is happening across the country and in the local Tampa Bay community. Discussions about race and racism can be difficult, but checking in with your Little in the wake of racist violence is crucial. Talking with a trusted adult and finding ways to take positive action is important for children. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay collected some resources for our Bigs, Littles, and families to have open discussions about racism, diversity, and social justice.

 

 

  • Guide for Parents of Asian/Asian American Adolescents – How to Talk About Anti-Asian Racism With Your Child: Brutal attacks, hateful language, and total avoidance—the COVID-19 pandemic has fueled intense racism against Asian Americans. There have been more than 3,700 hate incidents against Asian Americans between March 19, 2020 and February 28, 2021 reported to Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition launched in March 2020 to report on anti-Asian American discrimination during the pandemic. This is a sharp increase from the previously reported 2,500+ incidents between mid-March and early August 2020. Experts suggest starting the conversation in a place where it can happen more naturally like in the car, while eating together, or during shared activities. Ask questions like, “Do you feel safe going back to school? What will help make you feel safe?” and “Do you worry about being looked at differently because you’re Asian?” Use age-appropriate language but be direct; don’t expect kids to “read between the lines.”

 

  • Talking to Kids About Racism and Violence – How to Talk About Anti-Asian Racism With Your Little: How can parents and mentors, many of whom are struggling themselves, help kids process what they’re seeing and manage their feelings? There’s no single correct answer. That said, there are a few guidelines parents can keep in mind to help kids deal with troubling news about racism and violence. Do your best to meet your child or Little where they are and acknowledge their feelings, fears and worries, even if they express things that make you uncomfortable. It’s also important to assure kids that you’re doing everything you can to keep them safe. This is especially true for very young children, who may mistakenly believe that whatever they’re hearing about is an immediate danger to them and their loved ones.

 

  • Anti-Asian Racism Webinar – Understanding the Historical Context of Anti-Asian Racism in America: This webinar from the MGH Health Institute broadly explores racism in our country (such as the Chinese Exclusion Act) and how the experiences of Asian-Americans are not monolithic.

 

  • National Association of School Psychologists – Supporting Vulnerable Students in Stressful Times: Tips for Parents: The current climate of divisiveness, anger and fear in this country is having a significant impact on many children and adults. Feelings of uncertainty are particularly heightened for communities and families struggling to understand and cope with hate-based violence, discriminatory or threatening actions or speech, and shifting policies that are causing new uncertainties for specific populations. This is a crucial time for families and schools to work together to foster supportive relationships, to help children understand their emotional reactions, and to teach effective coping and conflict resolution strategies. The tips and related resources in this document are intended to help you support your children.

 

  • National Association of School Psychologists – Understanding Race and Privilege: Across the nation, children of all backgrounds are experiencing a time in which discussions about race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and culture are at the forefront of their everyday lives. Many people avoid these discussions because they fear that conversations about race, bias, and racism lead to feelings of anger, guilt, discomfort, sadness, and at times disrespect. The current state of our Union, however, no longer allows for these tough conversations to be ignored. While uncomfortable for some, school psychologists are in a position to lead or at least participate in these conversations. By using their knowledge and expertise of systems-level change, school psychologists can facilitate the dialogue to bring about positive, productive outcomes

 

  • Racial Equity Tools is designed to support individuals and groups working to achieve racial equity. This site offers tools, research, tips, curricula and ideas for people who want to increase their own understanding and to help those working toward justice at every level – in systems, organizations, communities and the culture at large.

 

  • Girl Scouts – Help Your Kids Take Action Against Racism: Whenever we see injustice, we all have a responsibility to confront it. Every day, no matter our background or our age, every single one of us has a role to play in taking on an unfair system while working to build a new one that truly works for all. Guiding our girls in learning to recognize and challenge structures and practices that fuel inequality and cause harm helps them play an active role in creating the positive change our society needs.

 

  • Glazer Children’s Museum – Social Justice: We have created a page on our website filled with free resources for families about racism, trauma, violence, and the historic context of activism. This is just our small piece of the puzzle. To the black and brown families in our community – we are here for you. We will help you help your children through this.

 

  • Edutopia – Teaching Young Children About Bias, Diversity, and Social Justice: As a society and within our educational institutions, discussions about bias, diversity, discrimination, and social justice tend to happen in middle and high schools. We’ve somehow decided that little kids can’t understand these complex topics, or we want to delay exposing them to injustices as long as possible (even though not all children have the luxury of being shielded from injustice). However, young children have a keen awareness of and passion for fairness. They demand right over wrong, just over unjust. And they notice differences without apology or discomfort.

 

  • Mentor.org – Supporting Young People in the Wake of Violence and Trauma: Episodes of violence and trauma in young people’s communities, especially those that arise from a place of systemic inequality, prejudice and racism, impact young people’s lives in a variety of ways. Mentors are uniquely positioned to help young people process these experiences by providing a space to express their emotions, ask for help, and channel uncertain feelings into positive, constructive action. However, mentors may need strategies for supporting these discussions and actions as well as support for being allies to young people trying to make sense of their feelings. For example, in the aftermath of tragic incidents of racial profiling and violence resulting from police actions, young people may feel unsafe, angry, frustrated, sad, and powerless. This guide was developed to help mentors build relationships with young people that affirm their experiences and cultivate a sense of safety after incidents of violence or traumatic events occur.

 

  • Child Mind Institute – A Clinical Perspective on Talking to Kids About Racism: As the nation mourns the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other black Americans, discussions of racism and violence dominate the national conversation as well as the conversations we’re having at home. Talking to kids about racism and racialized violence is hard, but it’s also necessary — today and as kids grow up. Below, advice for parents on this topic from two of the Child Mind Institute’s expert clinicians.

 

  • Child Mind Institute – Racism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News: With protests over the violent deaths of black Americans dominating the news, it’s understandable that many kids are feeling scared, confused or angry about the situation. How can parents, many of whom are struggling themselves, help children process what they’re seeing and manage their feelings? There’s no one right answer. That said, there are a few guidelines parents can keep in mind to help kids deal with troubling news about race and violence.

 

  • Nia House Learning Center – 40+ Children’s Books about Human Rights & Social Justice: Young people have an innate sense of right and wrong, fair and unfair. Explaining the basics of human rights in age-appropriate ways with stories and examples can set the foundation for a lifelong commitment to social responsibility and global citizenship. As a parent to a preschooler and a professor of peace and human rights education, here are my top picks for children’s books that discuss important issues—and that are visually beautiful. Some of the books listed offer an overview of rights; the majority show individuals and organizations past and present who have struggled to overcome injustices. All offer different levels of child-friendly images, concepts and text.

 

  • Embrace Race: As US racial divisions and inequities grow sharper and more painful, the work of envisioning and creating systems of authentic racial inclusion and belonging in the United States remains work in progress. We believe that reversing the trend must begin in our homes, schools, and communities with our children’s hearts and minds.

 

  • Greater Good Magazine – Anti-Racist Resources from Greater Good: Our mission at the Greater Good Science Center is to elevate the human potential for compassion. But that does not mean we deny or dismiss the human potential for violence, particularly toward marginalized or dehumanized groups.

 

  • Community Tampa Bay – Virtual Programs Let’s Talk About Race: We at Community Tampa Bay asked ourselves what can we contribute during this difficult time? Perhaps we could engage folks in examining the impact, causes, and consequences of prejudice and discriminatory systems as it relates to individual and community health? Perhaps we could promote reflection on the intersections of our own and each others’ social identities as we navigate this experience? Or perhaps we could do all of the above while prioritizing what we do best – having fun, sharing laughter and building community! Join us for our various virtual programs.

 

  • Undoing Racism The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond: The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB) focuses on understanding what racism is, where it comes from, how it functions, why it persists and how it can be undone. Our workshops utilize a systemic approach that emphasizes learning from history, developing leadership, maintaining accountability to communities, creating networks, undoing internalized racial oppression and understanding the role of organizational gatekeeping as a mechanism for perpetuating racism.

 

  • Showing Up for Racial Justice: Political education is the collective process of study, research, analysis, and storytelling that helps us understand our situation and what we’re up against and what we can do about it. The purpose of political education is to build a shared language about our situation, a shared framework for understanding our situation, and a shared understanding of our history so we can better understand how we got here and what we can learn from those who went before us. We engage in political education to sharpen our skills in taking action for movement building for solidarity and social justice.

 

  • The Conscious Kid: The Conscious Kid is an education, research and policy organization dedicated to reducing bias and promoting positive identity development in youth. We partner with organizations, children’s museums, schools, and families across the country to promote access to children’s books centering on underrepresented and oppressed groups.

 

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana Race/Ethnicity/Culture Toolkit for Bigs: What should I tell my Little about police brutality, protests, and/or race relations? First, assess how your Little is feeling and reacting to events in the area. Your Little may just be focused on playing basketball or otherwise distracted and seem uninterested or averse to talking about recent racial events. That is okay. This could be their version of self-care. Do not feel the need to force the issue. They may not be ready to talk.

 

  • Racial Trauma in Film: How Viewers Can Address Re-traumatization: When you are watching a movie or a show, your brain thinks the action on screen is happening to you. This is why you have to consciously tell your brain, “It is just a movie.” Our mirror neurons are part of the reason we cry during a sad part of a movie, laugh at jokes, and jump at a scary scene (Zacks, 2015). Our emotions are deeply impacted by watching film and media content. This raises the question: “What happens if we watch content that we have already experienced ourselves and was traumatizing in our real, present-day life?”

 

  • Confronting Prejudice: How to Protect Yourself and Help Others: Dealing with prejudice—whether it’s microaggressions, bias, or discrimination—is physically and psychologically demanding. But avoiding it is not always an option. “Not everyone has the luxury of leaving a prejudicial workplace or neighborhood,” said Natasha Thapar-Olmos, Ph.D., Program Director at OnlinePsychology@Pepperdine, the online Master of Arts in Psychology at Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology. External link “But there might be things we can do and some tools to cope.” What are those tools? Use this guide to understand where prejudice comes from, what it looks like, and how you can help others experiencing it.

 

  • Mental Health Resources for Youth People of Color: Young people of color are resilient. But being a young person of color in America today can mean consistent exposure to traumatic incidents directed at their communities, whether in person, on television or through social media. While awareness can spur action that results in change, it can also take an emotional toll on young people that can impact other facets of their lives like schooling and relationships. Maintaining mental health is important and seeking help can be necessary to stay healthy. In this article, OnlineCounselingPrograms.com has assembled a variety of mental health-focused content and resources to support young people of color.
May 07
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

By Resources

Every May we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! This is a great opportunity to learn more about the history, contributions, and global impact of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with your Little. We hope these biographies and activity suggestions will inspire you and your Little to recognize and honor the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the culture and achievements of the United States.

Why Do We Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month?

The United States first acknowledged Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage during the first 10 days of May to commemorate two milestones: when the first Japanese immigrants arrived May 7, 1843, and when the transcontinental railroad was completed on May 10, 1869. The transcontinental railway was built predominately by Chinese workers. It took more than a decade of legislating across multiple administrations to have the entire month of May designated as Asian American Pacific and Islander Heritage Month in 1992.

To celebrate this month, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay wanted to share the stories of strong Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have impacted America’s history and have inspired others along the way

Katherine Tai AAPIKatherine Tai, United States Trade Representative

Chinese American Katherine Tai, former House Ways and Means Committee trade lawyer, is now the new U.S. trade representative. The Office of the United States Trade Representative is part of the President’s Executive Office, and Tai is the first Asian American and first woman of color to serve in the position. Tai will advise the president on trade issues and oversee international negotiations and dispute resolutions. The Senate voted unanimously to confirm Tai to fill the role. 

Fred Korematsu, Civil Rights Activist

Fred Toyosaburo Korematsu was arrested for refusing to evacuate to an internment camp for Japanese Americans during World War II. He was represented by two lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), but his case challenging the decree failed at the Supreme Court. However, almost 40 years later, it was discovered that the government intentionally hid evidence from the court. This documentation eventually led to the dismissal of the charges. His daughter, Karen Korematsu, now runs a foundation that aims to share his story through the development of educational materials designed for multiple grade levels.

Sunita Williams AAPISunita Williams, Astronaut

Sunita Williams is an Indian American astronaut. Williams holds numerous records and has received more than a dozen awards for her service. She has spent a total of 322 days in space across the span of two missions, placing her second on the U.S. endurance list for women and ranking sixth on the all-time U.S. endurance list. Her awards and honors include two Defense Superior Service medals, Legion of Merit, two Navy Commendation Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, an honorary doctorate, and other service awards. She was chosen as a crew member for commercial flights with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft and is currently training for the post-certification mission.

Amy Tan AAPIAmy Tan, Author

Many of us know the prolific works of Chinese American author Amy Tan, particularly her novel Joy Luck Club, which was later made into a movie produced by Wayne Wang. She continued to pen several best-selling books, paving the way for the next generation of Asian American artists and writers. One notable Asian American with acclaimed commercial success is Singaporean American author Kevin Kwan, who wrote the novel Crazy Rich Asians and served as executive producer for the movie of the same name. Oscar-winning Minari is a recent movie masterpiece from Korean American Lee Isaac Chung.

Find out how you can become a mentor and influence the next generation of leaders by becoming a Big. 

Match Activities

MOVIES TO WATCH:

EASY RECIPES TO MAKE TOGETHER:

BOOKS TO READ:

  • Asian Pacific American Heroes by Mia Wenjen.  Meet 18 Asian Pacific American leaders from yesterday and today! From musician Bruno Mars and Olympian Chloe Kim to chef Niki Nakayama, these real­life heroes inspire us to learn about Asian Pacific American history, language, and culture. Illustrated with photos.
  • A Different Pond by Bao Phi.  This beautiful story about Vietnamese culture from the perspective of two generations is a heartwarming tale paired with expert illustrations.
  • We Are Inspiring: The Stories of 32 Inspirational Asian American Women by Angel Trazo.  A collection of inspirational stories about Asian American women from all walks of life, different ethnicities, and professions, your child will learn about the colorful and amazing Asian American women who have impacted our world today.

Check out this awesome list of books exploring Asian and Pacific Islander American heritage for all ages!

 

May 01
Conversation Starters

May Conversation Starters

By Resources

Do you need some ideas for things to talk to your Little about? Check out our May Conversation Starters to help you and your Little learn about new topics and discover new hobbies and interests. 

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month – Learn more about the history, contributions, and global impact of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with your Little. 

National Bike Month – Does your Little know how to ride a bike? When did they learn? How often do they ride? Discuss Bike Safety. Research the Tour De France and famous cyclists. 

National Photograph Month – Try a Picture Scavenger Hunt. You and your Little come up with a list of things to take photos of and share via Video Chat or email. Your list might include: An Animal, A Person, A Plant, An Action Shot, a Fruit or Veggie, A Selfie, A Building, Something from the Kitchen, Something that has a shadow, something that has texture, etc. 

National Salad Month – Do a salad challenge: Can your Little eat 5 Salads in May? What are your favorite kinds of salads? Does Fruit Salad count as a salad? How about Tuna Salad or Chicken Salad?

May 1st is May Day – Research May Day together. Do you or your Little celebrate this holiday? Is it a Holiday we should celebrate more? 

May 2nd is National Fitness Day – Why is fitness so important? What do you do to stay fit? Brainstorm some fun ways to stay fit physically, emotionally, and mentally.  

May 5th is Cinco De Mayo – Do you or your Little celebrate Cinco de Mayo? What do you do to celebrate? Check out this video from PBS Kids. 

May 5th is National Teacher’s Day – Why are teachers so important? If you were a teacher, what would you teach? Do teachers get enough appreciation for all that they do? Why or Why not?

May 7th is World Athletics Day – What is your favorite sport to play and to watch? Check out this article from Sports Retriever about unique sports that you probably haven’t heard of. 

May 9th is Mother’s Day – Do you or your Little celebrate Mother’s Day? What traditions do you have? If you had all the money in the world, what would you do for your mom to show her that she is special?

May 11th is National Technology Day – Make a list of available technology today that wasn’t available when Big was young. Make another list of technology that wasn’t available when someone in their 40s, 60s, 80s was a kid. What piece of technology do you think you could live without if you had to?

May 15th is National Endangered Species Day – Research some of the critically endangered species on the World Wild Life list. Why do animals become endangered? What can people do to keep animals from going extinct?

May 23rd is World Turtle Day – Check out these turtle facts from Petco. Would you consider a turtle for a pet? How many different kinds of turtles are there? 

May 26th is Sally Ride Day – Learn about Sally Ride together from Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls. Would you like to be the first at something? Would you travel to space?

May 31st is Memorial Day – Why is Memorial Day important? Watch this video from Homeschool Pop to learn more facts about Memorial Day. 

 

Do you want to learn what it takes to become a Big? Learn more at our Big Orientation & Training info session. View the schedule.

 

Apr 22
Earth Day

10 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

By Resources

April 22nd is Earth Day, a day focused on promoting a clean and healthy, sustainable habitat for people and wildlife alike. Celebrating Earth Day serves as a conscious reminder of how fragile our planet is and how important it is to protect it. Here are ten simple activities that you and your Little can do to celebrate together!

  1. Start a garden
  2. Join a community cleanup—Find local community cleanups with Keep Florida Beautiful
  3. Have a recycling contest to see who can collect the most recyclables throughout the week
  4. Paint some terracotta pots and plant a variety of flowers or herbs in them
  5. Read books about environmental issues—Check out this list of the best Earth Day books for kids
  6. Gather sticks, leaves, and flowers to make a natural collage
  7. Go for a bike ride
  8. Build a bird feeder
  9. Go to your local thrift shop and find a cheap item to upcycle together
  10. Start a composting project

Want more eco-conscious activities? We Are Teachers has activities for Littles of all ages! 

Learn how you can become a Big and be a positive, supportive mentor for youth in our community at one of our Big Orientation & Training info sessions. View our schedule. 

 

 

 

 

Apr 16
How to Empower Children When They Struggle With Stress

How to Empower Children When They Struggle With Stress

By Resources

We all suffer from stress from time to time, each having our own relationship to stress. And everyone processes stress differently. How our stress responses get hardwired into our systems during childhood can affect how we deal with stress as adults. We typically think of stress as something negative, but not all stress responses are inherently harmful. There are three stress responses found in children: positive, tolerable, and toxic. 

Positive Stress Response

A positive stress response is a brief and mild mental state. A positive stress response is something we all experience, such as nervousness before a presentation or anxiety about the first day of school. Caring and responsive adults are central in helping a child cope with the stressor. Mentors, teachers, and caregivers can provide a protective effect that allows children to manage effectively.

Tolerable Stress Response

A tolerable stress response involves exposure to a non-normative experience that presents more significant adversity or threat. These stressors may include a family member’s death, a severe illness or injury, or a natural disaster. The effects of a tolerable stress response can lead to long-term consequences to health, learning, and mental health. A supportive and protective relationship with a trusted adult helps reduce the adverse outcomes associated with a tolerable stress response.

Toxic Stress Response

A toxic stress response results from intense, frequent, or prolonged activation of the body’s stress response system. The toxic stress response is the most far-reaching, long-lasting, and dangerous. These stressors include parents or guardians struggling with substance abuse, mental health struggles, and absence due to incarceration or divorce. The buffering protection of a supportive adult relationship lessens the long-term effects associated with toxic stress responses. 

How to Reduce Stress

You can brainstorm ideas together to children find positive ways to channel their energy. Below are some stress and anxiety-reducing strategies you can teach your mentee, or Little, that may be helpful: 

  • Try 4-7-8 breathing. Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, breathe out for 8 seconds.
  • Try journaling about feelings. Make sure that your Little knows they don’t need to share the things they write down and that getting their feelings out is the therapeutic part. Suggest that in the first 5 minutes of your visit, you write down some things that have been on your mind. Set a timer and put on some calming music. 
  • Do something creative. Color a picture, draw or paint something, write songs or poetry, play with clay or play-dough. 
  • Work on a hobby together. Cook or bake something. Put together a model, do a craft, or make something out of Legos. Knit something. Make something out of paper, like paper airplanes or origami. 
  • Do something active. Take a walk outside, and make it fun by incorporating a scavenger hunt. Shoot some hoops. Try some stretching or yoga. Dance. Play catch. Jump rope. Just get moving! 
  • Try meditating. There are lots of free or low-cost apps and websites that help walk you through the process. Get started with this Finding Positivity meditation from Headspace for “Young Kids” and “Big Kids”. 

How to Empower Children When They Struggle with Stress

A caring adult’s presence is related to numerous positive outcomes for young people, including greater resilience and lower stress. The caring and consistent relationship you build with your Little is a vital protective factor that will help them develop self-esteem throughout their life. There are numerous ways you can support your Little if they are experiencing stress: 

  • Listen and empathize – practice listening when your Little vents to you about a problem.
    • Provide choices.
    • Validate your Little’s feelings.
    • Ask your Little open-ended questions; prompt with questions, “What do you think would happen if you tried ___?”
    • You can also ask, “What do you need from me?”
  • Model the attitude you want to see – your Little will watch how you handle challenges.
    • Use phrases like, “This is hard. I need a break”, or “This is hard, I’m going to keep trying.”
    • Ask your Little to help you brainstorm solutions.
    • Avoid expressing negative opinions of yourself or making comments like, “I can’t do this.”
    • Focus on the positive. Was a lesson learned? Did you improve? Did you overcome the struggle – and how great did it feel?
  • Build up confidence with age-appropriate tasks – boost your Little’s feelings of confidence and capability by allowing them to do age-appropriate tasks.
    • Choose an activity for an outing together between a couple of choices.
    • Prepare foods for a planned meal.
    • Order for themselves at a restaurant (within approved budget).
    • Pump gas before an outing (with oversight & help as needed).
  • Remind them of past struggles and accomplishments – remind your Little of tasks that were once difficult and became easier with time.
    • What are your Little’s strengths?
    • How did they grow these strengths?
  • Teach problem-solving skills – teach a simple process like the following:
    • What am I feeling?
    • What’s the problem?
    • What are the solutions?
    • What would happen if …?
    • What will I try?
  • Know when to lend a hand – step in when:
    • There is a safety concern.
    • When a task is not developmentally appropriate.
    • The skills need to be learned before your Little can succeed.
    • Your Little has tried multiple strategies and persevered but is still struggling. In this case, offer guidance and help. Then, discuss what your Little learned and praise the effort and progress.

Helping a young person struggle with stress can be a learning experience. Ultimately, the presence of an adult mentor helps act as a protective factor against stress, leading to greater resilience and self-esteem. Do you want to help a child in our community reach their fullest potential? Becoming a volunteer Big means you’ll be a positive, supportive mentor for a child in our community. View our Big Orientation & Training schedule to attend a virtual orientation and get started as a mentor today!

 

 

Below are some articles and videos that you can watch with your Little, or forward to them to check out on their own, as these may open up a meaningful dialogue with your Little. Many of the videos are by young people, so your Little may connect more. 

Additional Resources

Talking to Your Child or Teen about Anxiety

7 Ways to Help Teens Cope with Stress

Tips on Getting Ready Mentally and Physically for a New School Year

3 Tips to Promote confidence

Meet Yourself: A User’s Guide to Building Self-Esteem – Niko Everett

Overcoming Anxiety — Jonas Kolker 

Stress Management Strategies: Ways to Unwind 

Teen Stress (Causes, Effects, Tips) 

Stress and Anxiety for Teens 

Stress at School — Carley Rogers 

Anxiety – Teen Talk 

Apr 03
Child Abuse Prevention Month

Child Abuse Prevention Month

By Resources

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and we believe it takes everyone working together to keep youth safe and healthy.  Studies show that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), such as verbal abuse, incarceration, or substance abuse by parents, can halt a child’s healthy development. ACEs can lead to “toxic stress,” or highly stressful situations, for kids. Too much toxic stress for a child can lead to physical and mental health problems from childhood into adulthood. The early years of a child’s development are critical. Children need safe & encouraging relationships to help them build protective factors.

Adverse Childhood Experiences 

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events occurring before age 18. ACEs include all types of abuse and neglect as well as parental mental illness, substance use, divorce, incarceration, and domestic violence. A landmark study in the 1990s found a significant relationship between the number of ACEs a child experienced and a variety of negative outcomes in adulthood, including poor physical and mental health, substance abuse, and risky behaviors. The more ACEs experienced, the greater the risk for these outcomes.   

Research about the lifelong impact of ACEs underscores the urgency of prevention activities to protect children from these and other early traumas. When children do experience trauma, understanding the impact of ACEs can lead to more trauma-informed understanding and interventions that help to mitigate negative outcomes. Mentoring relationships provide a protective factor for children who have experienced ACEs. 

What Are Protective Factors?

Studies reveal that a meaningful way to prevent ACEs and toxic stress is to build “protective factors” in children. Protective factors can shield kids from ACEs, build resilience, and positively counter adverse events. They are things like:

  • A nurturing caregiver
  • Caring adults outside of the family who can serve as role models or mentors
  • Positive school environment
  • Social connections
  • Opportunity for expression through art, music, etc.
  • Opportunity to learn healthy coping skills 
  • Access to services
  • Cultural identity

How can you help children who have been abused or neglected?

Children who have experienced abuse or neglect need additional support from caring adults who understand the impact of trauma and how to help. As a volunteer mentor, consider the following suggestions when helping your mentee, or Little:

  • Help your Little feel safe. Support them in expressing and managing intense emotions.
  • Don’t force a conversation. However, if your Little opens up, dialogue helps them understand the link between their trauma history and current experiences. For example, help them understand what happened was not their fault or discuss how their current emotions might be related to past trauma.
  • Support and promote safe and stable relationships. Be supportive of your Little’s family and caregivers if appropriate. Often caregivers have experienced trauma so be mindful that their responses to situations may be coping mechanisms as a result of their own trauma experiences.
  • Manage your own stress. Supporters who have histories of trauma themselves may be at risk of experiencing secondary trauma symptoms.  

A caring adult’s presence is related to numerous positive outcomes for young people, including greater resilience and lower stress. The caring and consistent relationship you build with your Little is a vital protective factor that will help them develop self-esteem throughout life.  Find out how you can become a Big and be a positive, supportive mentor for youth in our community at one of our Big Orientation & Training info sessions. View our schedule get started!

 

Additional Resources

Center for Disease Control and Prevention

About Adverse Childhood Experiences
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Provides an overview of adverse childhood experiences. 

Adverse Childhood Experiences: Looking at How ACEs Affect Our Lives & Society 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Discusses the types of ACEs, their prevalence, their effects on physical and mental health and society, and strategies to address them. 

Essentials for Childhood Framework: Steps to Create Safe, Stable, Nurturing Relationships and Environments for All Children
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Explains a strategic approach to building strong communities that support positive child and family development. The goals of the approach include raising awareness, making data-driven decisions, promoting positive norms, and assessing policies that impact families. 

Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Provides two learning modules to help participants understand, recognize, and prevent adverse childhood experiences (ACES). This training is available to anyone interested in learning more about ACES regardless of profession or educational attainment.  

 

Apr 01
April Conversation Starters

April Conversation Starters

By Resources

Do you need some ideas for things to talk to your Little about? Check out our April Conversation Starters to help you and your Little learn about new topics and discover new hobbies and interests. 

National Humor Month – What makes you laugh? How about your Little? Tell some jokes together or look some up!

International Guitar Month – Do either you or your Little play the Guitar? Check out some guitar solos on YouTube.

Keep America Beautiful Month – What are some beautiful places in FL and other states that you have been to or would love to travel to? Make a Bucket list together, Share some of your Travel Pics, or research some of the most beautiful landscapes in the USA. Discuss ways to keep America beautiful.

Move More Month – Find an easy YouTube stretching video or easy exercise video to try together.

Stress Awareness Month – Does your Little get stressed? If so, how often, what makes them stressed? Talk about strategies to relieve stress. Try a meditation or yoga video together.

National Poetry Month – Find some poems to recite to one another or make your own Haiku.

April 4th Easter – Does your Little celebrate Easter? If so how? Color or creative Easter Eggs together.

April 4th is World Party Day – What makes the best party? What are good things to celebrate? A fun group activity would be to plan a party with an unlimited budget and we can each go around and add something fun for our party.

April 7th is World Health Day – What do you/your parents do to stay healthy? What is something you can change daily to become healthier? Why is it so important to stay healthy?  What are some jobs that help people stay healthy? Would you like to go into a field that helps people stay healthy?

April 8th is Zoo Lover’s Day – Research the most popular Zoos in the world, the pros and cons of zoos, or what it takes to be a Zookeeper. Is it a job that you would like?

April 10th is National Siblings Day – Do you have any siblings? What are the pros and cons of being an only child? Is it better to be an older, middle, or younger sibling? What is the best thing about your sibling? What is your favorite thing to do with your sibling? What do you think your sibling will be when they grow up? Come up with a list of popular books/shows/movies that feature siblings.

April 13th is International Plant Appreciation Day and  April 14th is National Gardening Day (April is also Gardening Month) – Discuss different plants and take a “can you name this plant” quiz together. Discuss the pros and cons of having a garden. Discuss the benefits of gardening. Discuss differences and similarities of having a flower or fruit/veggie garden.

April 14th is National Dolphin Day – Check out some neat facts about dolphins and watch “A Dolphins Tale” story if you haven’t already.

April 21st is National Kindergarten Day – What do you remember most about being in K? Who was your K teacher? Did you like them why or why not? What makes a good K teacher? Would you like to be a K teacher and why/why not?

April 22nd is Earth Day – Check out this video about Earth Day. What can you do to participate in Earth Day?

April 25 is National Telephone Day – What do you do most on the phone? (Text, call, email, games) Why are phones important? How would your life be different if you couldn’t take your phone with you places? How would your life be different if you didn’t have a phone at all? How would you communicate, plan things, get help in an emergency?  Look up some pictures of the first phones and see how far our technology has come!

April 28 is National Superhero Day – Who is your favorite Superhero? If you had a superpower what would it be? Would You Rather Questions “Xray vision or flight, super strength or super speed,” etc. Design your own superhero costume.

April 24th is Arbor Day – Research this day together. Why is it important to plant trees? Can you imagine your neighborhood or favorite park without trees? What would that be like? Do you have a favorite kind of tree? How many different types of trees can you think of?

 

Do you want to learn what it takes to become a Big? Learn more at our Big Orientation & Training info session. View the schedule.

 

Mar 27
Encouragement

27 Ways to Say “You’re Great”

By Resources

We all need a bit of encouragement now and then. From small successes to meeting big goals, it always feels good to hear “you’re great!” How will you show some encouragement to a child or Little in your life? Here are 27 ways to say “you’re great” to kids.

  1. You’re a terrific kid, I enjoy spending time with you!
  2. Thanks for showing good character when you . . .
  3. That’s a really creative idea.
  4. I’m impressed with how you solved that problem.
  5. You showed real leadership on that.
  6. Really nice effort!
  7. Will you show me how to do that?
  8. I appreciate when you . . .
  9. You did an outstanding job.
  10. I hope you feel proud of yourself!
  11. Looks like you put a lot of work into that and it paid off!
  12. You learned that really fast! I knew you could do it.
  13. Learning is about making mistakes — keep trying—you’ll get it.
  14. You showed good sportsmanship.
  15. That was so kind!
  16. Way to go my friend!
  17. Well done! That’s really a strength for you.
  18. How did you come up with that? Very clever!
  19. You get better at this all the time.
  20. I hear what you’re saying, that sounds important to you.
  21. That was beautiful, you’re so talented.
  22. I like when you try something new!
  23. When you say thank you it really shows you care.
  24. I love your sense of humor, you make me laugh!
  25. I admire when you . . .
  26. I know that was difficult but you showed a lot of courage!
  27. I believe in you!

Want to make a difference in the life of a child in our community? Find out how you can become a volunteer Big or donate to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay’s mentoring programs.

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