Keeping family time healthy and positive during the coronavirus crisis

Alanus University professor publishes parent information together with child health associations

How can families with children stay as positive as possible despite all the challenges during the coronavirus pandemic? Numerous experts from education, psychology and medicine have compiled concrete, practical tips and information on this topic on the website kinderaerzte-im-netz.de. Paula Bleckmann, Professor of Media Education at Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences in Alfter near Bonn, is a co-initiator of the initiative. Together with her team, she is responsible for a newsletter covering topics such as moderate media use, dealing with fears and structuring everyday life.

The initiative is being continuously developed – until schools and daycare centers fully reopen
“The newsletter is published twice a week; the latest topic is school at home,” says Bleckmann, author of the book “Medienmündig.” “We also write about dealing with childcare emergencies or disappointment, provide tips for perseverance, and offer guidance on explaining the coronavirus pandemic to children in an age-appropriate way.” With this initiative, which is constantly being expanded and developed, the aim is to support parents until schools and daycare centers across Germany are fully reopened, says the health and media education specialist.

Diverse content for families in a challenging time
Dr Josef Kahl of the Kind und Jugend Foundation adds: “As pediatricians and adolescent medicine specialists, we are working together with our medical colleagues to combat the coronavirus pandemic. But we also know that coronavirus and the associated restrictions are placing a strain on many families, causing them to suffer from worry, boredom and overload. We want to encourage families to make the time that parents and children now have together a positive one, to prevent stress and conflict, and above all to enjoy good times together. We are delighted to be working with so many strong partners from many different fields on this initiative for parents. This creates diversity that benefits families.”

The full initiative can be found at
https://www.kinderaerzte-im-netz.de/mediathek/familienzeit-gesund-gestalten/

Participants
AK Prevention in the DGKiM (German Society for Child Protection in Medicine)
Alliance for Humane Education
ECHT DABEI – growing up healthy in the digital age
Society for Mental Health in Early Childhood (GAIMH)
Media Protect e.V.
Kind und Jugend Foundation in cooperation with the BVKJ (Professional Association of Pediatricians and Adolescent Medicine Specialists)
Witten/Herdecke University
ZNL Transfer Center for Neuroscience and Learning