Our first article focuses solely on the top insights, words of wisdom, and must-have products & services for nurturing kids through – and beyond – COVID. So, if kid & family focused tips from other VP members sounds interesting, read on!
‘Zarbees’ Melatonin Pills/Gummies for kids
What it is: A non-habit forming, drug-free sleep gummy supplement – safe & effective remedy for your child’s occasional sleeplessness with.
Who it’s for: Kids ages 3+ (be sure to check product dose info)
How it helped: “For sleep deprivation and anxiety they have all natural melatonin that helps, which is not habit forming or addictive in any way, no side effects if you quit and take again and again also.”
Dr. Teals Kids 3-in-1 Sleep Bath with Melatonin
What it is: Use it as a shampoo, bubble bath OR body wash – it’s a great-smelling combo of gentle Melatonin and lavender essential oils. Add it to the night time bath to soothe and calm before bedtime.
Who it’s for: Kids ages 2+
How it helped: “Dr Teals sleep products is the only thing aside from taking melatonin pills that help my younger siblings (12 and 16) sleep better at night. The pandemic ruined their sleep schedules and they are now using the lotion, sleep bath, and spray daily.” (Amazon review)”
‘CALM’ Kid’s Magnesium Supplement
What it is: A berry-flavored Magnesium supplement drink mix that helps support moods and provides the essential nutrients to maintain healthy brain development.
Who it’s for: Kids ages 4+
How it helped: “Helps my 6 year old’s legs not feel so ‘itchy’. He has been sleeping better through the night. Bonus that it helps with his constipation.” (Amazon review)
What it is: A fully online, step-by-step early learning curriculum with over 850 lessons across reading, math, science and art. Subscription based, but lots of Free Trial offers and discounts.
Who it’s for: Kids ages 2 – 8 yrs
How it helped: “Honestly, if all schools go back to the basics like ABCMouse has, kids would be so much better in school. When their confidence is gone they aren’t interested in learning. It’s been almost 2 weeks my son has been using abc mouse & his confidence is so much better than before. He’s in kindergarten and the pandemic changed everything.”
What it is: An online math app that engages students as they explore the Prodigy Math Game world, answer math questions to complete epic quests, and earn in-game rewards. (Many activities are FREE, additional features for a small monthly fee).
Who it’s for: Kids in grades 1st – 8th
How it helped: “We used Prodigy math. You can set up an educator account and set parameters for the areas your kids are struggling. There are many online resources to bolster their education that are free or reduced due to Covid.”
What it is: An online math app that engages students as they explore the Prodigy Math Game world, answer math questions to complete epic quests, and earn in-game rewards. (Many activities are FREE, additional features for a small monthly fee).
Who it’s for: Kids ages 2 – 8 yrs
How it helped: “The Homer Learning App really made learning fun for our kids.”
What it is: Curated learning curriculum kits, specifically for homeschooling families
Who it’s for: Kids/Teens ages Preschool – Grade 12
How it helped: “We started homeschooling – using Timberdoodle curriculum- it was one of the best decisions we made. We would’ve never pursued homeschooling if it was not for this pandemic. There are ups and downs. But it’s mostly positive, and our kids are thriving in it.”
‘Gnomes at Night’ & ‘Lemonade Shakeup’ by Peaceable Kingdom
What it is: Family board games to help kids of all ages learn to play well together. These two favorites incorporate teamwork and planning, with higher challenges as kids grow! Did you know Peaceable Kingdom creates award-winning games that inspire cooperation and cultivate kindness? Love that!
Who it’s for: Gnomes at Night – Ages 6 and up, Lemonade Shakeup – Ages 4 and up
How it helped: “For the older kids board games and cards were a big hit, especially when the little guys went to bed (hanging out with the adults is always fun).”
What it is: a simple game of matching colors and shapes: Players score points by building rows and columns of brightly-colored tiles that are either all the same color or all the same shape, without creating duplicates. Easy for beginners but challenging enough for the most competitive teens and adults
Who it’s for: Gnomes at Night – Ages 6 and up
How it helped: “It’s a simple game of matching colors and shapes that requires tactical maneuvers, quick-thinking and a well-planned strategy.”
What it is: A teen counseling app where parents can get matched with a licensed therapist, discuss their teen’s specific issues, and allow the approved therapist to connect with your child for online counseling sessions.
Who it’s for: Teens Ages 13 – 19 who would benefit from discussing coping skills, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, depression, bullying, anger, eating disorders, or any other mental challenges.
How it helped: “I was very skeptical when my daughter asked me to sign her up for a counselor online so I was eager to hear how her first session went. My daughter was so happy that another adult (besides me) was validating her difficulties. When she’s unsure if she’s dealing with something in her life appropriately, she will talk about it & (her counselor) is usually able to relate with the situation as well as giving her an unbiased opinion.”
TeleHealth Counselors & School Counselors
How it helped: “Contact your school. My grandson was tanking all classes and simply would not engage with virtual learning. We set up counseling sessions to re-engage him and it really helped. When he started high school last fall he was way more prepared to engage. There are services most schools will provide”
And a few great suggestions for ‘lovable’ animals for little ones, with built-in tech to help calm anxiety:
What it is: Purrble is designed to be discovered by children, allowing them to build a special bond. Studies show that kids can learn to calm themselves by calming others. By soothing Purrble, kids learn how to self-soothe when big emotions bubble up.
Who it’s for: Ages 3 – 103 anyone
How it helped: “My daughter has been struggling with anxiety and I found out about the Purrble. It’s a stuffed animal that you basically help to “calm down” which in turn calms down my daughter.”
What it is: Sleep Sheep is the ultimate sleep-aid! A cute, cuddly, little lamb with a hidden sound machine that plays white noise to soothe your child into a restful, relaxing sleep.
Who it’s for: Ages 0 – 100
How it helped: “It helps my daughter fall asleep.” “My son never slept on his own before I got this. He fell asleep in my arms and woke as if I put him down. Since getting him this when he was 2 months he’s got himself to sleep. Perfect.”
From masking, to distanced learning, to not seeing loved ones, this has been a tough year. Still, VP Members – ever the optimists – shared that there are two things that are really positive changes, prompted by COVID, that they hope are here to stay:
1. A general awareness, education and vigilance when it comes to hygiene measures – putting prevention of spread into practice at school, home and in the workplace.
2. The reconnection with family – both in the house and miles away – gathering for evening meals, keeping in touch regularly (via FaceTime or Zoom) with loved ones and more opportunities to communicate and connect with kids about school and life.
Whether you are a parent, a grandparent or occasional caretaker, anyone who is responsible for taking care of kids during this time will hopefully find a few of these suggestions useful – I know we did!
And, if you have a suggestion that you think would help other parents, email it to us or post it on our Facebook Page. We say it every day, but we truly are all in this together…the more our own experiences can help each other, the better off we – and our kids – will all be. Thanks for contributing and watch for our next feature on Part 2: VP Hacks for maintaining Mental Health during COVID
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13 Responses
Tips and articles were very useful and interesting
Really great resources I knew nothing about – thank you!
I really enjoyed reading all of these ideas. Some pertain to my family and I will look into them since this is the first time I’ve heard of them. Keep giving great ideas!
Endorsing an herbal for kids? Bad enough they’re not studied for efficacy in any way, shape, or form for adults and now they’re being peddled to kids?
Although my children are all grown up now…..one of the best therapies that helped them calm down was to incorporate meditation in their daily routine. Even a quick 5 minute centering time helped them a lot. They now practice the quick 5 minute ones throughout the day and it helps them with the stress levels in their jobs and studies
This article is good information for families with kids. We don’t have any young kids. I have grown or teenage grandkids.
Great tips for those who have kiddos and want both the kids as well as themselves sane or some semblance of sanity.👅🥸
I am concerned about the increasing number of kid’s products containing melatonin. We are told it is safe, but how do we know what it may do to kids in the long run? What kinds of studies have been done regarding melatonin and prepubescent children? Can Vocal Point point me in the right direction? I can’t find anything out there.
jigzaw puzzles
These programs sound good for kids dealing with issues in these trying times!
These are some very good learning tools. Thank you!!
Buen día, a toda la comunidad Vocalpoint,honestamente todas estas opciones son muy buenas ,herramientas para los padres tratar de mantener la higiene mental y física de sus hijos ,lo mas importante es no colocar al niño en una burbuja ,que no sepa nada de su entorno al contrario ,debe saber y estar consciente ,con un lenguaje simple ,sincero y directo ,pero también los padres deben ,ponerse un poco en el lugar de ellos son niños quieren jugar ,ir a su colegio ,y socializar con otros niños ,de que forma vía Internet,hacer vídeo llamadas ,tratar de hacer una rutina divertida y no forzada,no tengo hijos pero escucho a los padres ,ven su punto de vista ,pero no el de un niño que quiere su libertad de movimiento,y no estar siempre con una mascarilla.
mostly good info however the purrble.com for 49.99 ridiculous and you can get same type at any build a bear for half that price, and the lamb thats already been done too, however their prices were more reasonable depending what u had , thank you for all the learning infor