122- How to help kids cope with the impact of COVID-19 with Jenny Delacruz

In this episode, Jenny Delacruz talks about how to help kids cope with the impact of COVID-19.  During our conversation, we discuss not just COVID, but also how books can help kids process trauma of all kinds.  She explains how to incorporate books into the music room and why it's so crucial we continue reading to kids. Jenny Delacruz is a Haitian American Writer, a wife, and a mother of two boys. She was born and raised in New York. Growing up, she was aware of the importance of diversity and how each person has a story that weaves back to generations. Jenny is also a licensed professional counselor specializing in family conflicts, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and parenting issues. Her counseling career has helped her in her writing because it has allowed her to realize the importance of promoting the emotional intelligence and self-awareness of children in books. As a counselor, she has observed how the books children read help them have a more meaningful understanding of themselves and the world around them. Her passion for teaching her children about world history and current events led her to pursue writing and launch her own educational children's book series. If you want more of Jenny Delacruz's work, check out her first book, Fridays with Ms. Mélange: Haiti. She has a YouTube channel called Storytime with Ms. Mélange where she reads diverse children's books aloud. You can also visit her online at www.cobbscreekpublishing.com. She is now launching her next book "Momma, Can I Sleep with You Tonight? Helping Children Cope with the Impact of COVID-19." Sites: https://www.cobbscreekpublishing.com/  &  https://www.restorativetherapy.info/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/StoryTimeWithMsMelange IG: @storytimemelange Twitter: https://twitter.com/storytimewithm2 FB: Diverse Kids Books (https://www.facebook.com/StoryTimeWithMs.Melange/) Join the Elementary Music Teacher Community Facebook group to continue the conversation. I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.