By Dave Schramm | April 27, 2020

Help Kids With These Three Needs During the Pandemic

First, parents should remember that we are all born with at least three fundamental needs for surviving and thriving in life. They include: Safety, Satisfaction, and Connection.

  • Safety
  • Satisfaction
  • Connection

Safety

It is important to reassure children they are loved and the changes that have happened in their lives are meant to keep them healthy and safe. Listen to their concerns and validate their feelings. You can teach them safe practices such as coughing into their arm, not touching their eyes, nose, or mouth, and while washing their hands they can think of three things they are grateful for. Parents can set the example for safe and healthy practices.

Satisfaction

View this unique time as special and as an opportunity to enjoy new things rather than as a challenge or scary time. You may never have this type of experience again! Find the positive and joy in this temporary new journey.

  • Make a two-week bucket list of fun things you can do during this unfamiliar time
  • Share items from your childhood (or theirs) including yearbooks, scrapbooks, home movies, wedding movies/albums, favorite songs, and more
  • Get creative - marshmallow towers, cardboard boxes, musical instruments, paper airplanes, cushion/blanket forts, and cake walks.

Connection

  • Learn about and connect with your ancestors through stories and pictures
  • Write letters, send emails, or make phone calls/FaceTime with cousins, grandparents, and other relatives
  • Find a fun recipe you can make together. Let everyone help. Talk, share, listen, and laugh together as you work
  • Write thank you cards or draw pictures for doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff for their hard work
  • Make time to talk, watch a movie together, snuggle, set up a tent indoors, change up sleeping arrangements/rooms. Get creative and connect in meaningful ways.
  • During this time of wonder and worry, the greatest gift you can give your children is you. Give them your time and attention. Do what you can to meet their three needs of safety, satisfaction, and connection during these uncertain times.

More Videos by Dr. Dave

Strong Parents, Stable Children curriculum:

Fox 13 (and other):

USU Extension: happy hacks

Podcasts

Podcasts related to personal and family life 

Mathews, J. (Host). (2018, February 27). David and Jamie Schramm (4). In Breakfast epiphanies. Cache Valley Family Magazine. https://cachevalleyfamilymagazine.com/episode-4-david-jamie-schramm/ 

Matthews, J. (Host). (2019, May 14). Dr. David Schramm (40). In Breakfast epiphanies. Cache Valley Magazine. https://cachevalleyfamilymagazine.com/episode-40-dr-david-schramm/ 

Ward, C. (Host). (2019, March, 19). Wisdom from parenting survivors: Regrets and tips from 400 empty-nesters (073). In Family Looking Up. http://familylookingup.com/2019/03/19/wisdom-from-parenting-survivors-regrets-and-tips-from-400-empty-nesters-guest-dr-david-schramm-episode-73/ 

Chacon, A. B. (Host). (2020, February 29). 5 happiness hacks to increase joy in your relationships with Dr. Dave Schramm (17). In Worth from within. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5-happiness-hacks-to-increase-joy-in-your-relationships/id1445563242?i=1000467103683 

Podcasts related to business and workplace culture 

KSL News Radio (Executive Producer). (2020, February 26). Why should you treat your employees like family? In Inside sources with Boyd Matheson. https://kslnewsradio.com/category/podcast_player/?a=bcccf3e6-a732-4150-96f5-ab6d0134ce06&sid=2104&n=Inside+Sources 

Hanson, W. (Host). (2020, March 3). Are family fundamentals the secret sauce to booming business? In Better manager. https://www.bettermanager.us/post/dr-dave-schramm-family-fundamentals-secret-sauce-to-booming-business-ep-12 

Bator, K. (Host). (2020, March 5). Applying family principles to workplace culture (137). In Cool culture corner. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/applying-family-principles-to-workplace-culture/id1292442089?i=1000467541448 

Cherrett, K. (Host). (2020, March 5). Connection is the key to great teamwork. In Project management insights. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connection-is-the-key-to-great-teamwork/id1041674278?i=1000467522570 

Fitzpatrick, R. (Executive Producer). (2020, March 11). How skills learned at home can lead to business success (115). In Project management paradise. Cora. https://projectmanagementparadise.com/episode-115-dr-dave-schramm-how-skills-learned-at-home-can-lead-to-business-success/ 

The Ghannad Group (Host). (2020, March 12). Creating thriving workplaces with a culture of family (063). In The transformative leader. https://theghannadgroup.com/blog/ttlpodcast-063 

Bator, K. (Host). (2020, March 26). Dr. David Schramm on how family principles translate into strong cultures (005). In Credit union business. https://open.spotify.com/episode/6PRjkJRJhs9SZY0kSfyQJC 

Walker, H. (Host). (2020, March 30). From compliance to connection: How family science enhances workplace culture. In Lead with levity. https://leadwithlevity.com/daveschramm/ 

USU Factsheets 

Technoference strategies: Managing family screen time. https://extension.usu.edu/relationships/ou-files/techostrategies.pdf  

Why stress management strategies work. http://www.usu.edu/today/index.cfm?id=58190&nl=599 

Parenting tips for happy holidays. https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2018/12/23/prc-hw-parenting-tips-for-happy-holidays-hint-dont-tell-kids-santa-wont-bring-you-toys-if/#.XEo-2s17nRY 

Dating later in life. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2886&context=extension_curall 

Six approaches to becoming more optimistic today. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2922&context=extension_curall 

Finding peace by staying present. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2922&context=extension_curall 

Thanksgiving with the family – tips for survival. https://extension.usu.edu/news_sections/home_family_and_food/thanksgiving-tip-for-survival 

Five happy hacks for a flourishing life. https://www.usu.edu/today/index.cfm?id=57557 

Good ideas for better health. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2869&context=extension_curall 

Why stress management strategies work. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2923&context=extension_curall 

Stress vs. anxiety. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/1846 

Simple ideas for better health. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/1847 

Supporting others coping with infertility. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/1848 

Strategies for dealing with life’s difficulties. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/1851 

Tips to strengthen relationships today. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/1849 

Pros and cons of online dating in later life. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/1850 

Keys for strong commitment in marriage. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/1792/ 

Technology tips and traps in your relationship. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/1793/ 

Tips for tackling stress. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/1794/ 

Building a better marriage. http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/1778 

Marriage principles from a national extension model. http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/1780 

Three steps for a happier life. http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/1779 

Four ways to help your kids unplug. https://extension.usu.edu/news_sections/home_family_and_food/kids-unplugged 

Utah Public Radio

Majority of parents think interruptions from phones harm families, survey results suggest. https://www.upr.org/post/majority-parents-think-interruptions-phones-harm-families-survey-results-suggest

Being present: Creating more “flow’ moments in our daily life. https://www.upr.org/post/being-present-creating-more-flow-moments-our-daily-life