The school year has ended, and while students are now on summer break, the viral pandemic makes it  one unlike any of us has ever experienced. The lack of school structure meets the potential for disconnection.

Children need to play and develop social skills even in a pandemic. Huntington Learning Center, which has opened a new branch in St. Cloud, is continuing its series of free webinars, and this week’s is aimed at getting families through how the coronavirus is changing the ways we learn and live.

The newest one, Thursday, June 11 at 1 p.m., is called “Helping Children Connect During A Socially Disconnected Time.” It will provide and ideas to help families cope and create positive and engaging ways to connect. Caroline Maguire, who wrote the book Why Will No One Play With Me? and specializes in training parents to coach social skills, empathy and self-advocacy, will lead the webinar and offer suggestions on how to partner with your child to develop social skills during this pandemic.

This webinar will provide tips and ideas to help families cope during these times and create positive and engaging environments to connect.

Caroline Maguire, M. Ed., specializes in training parents to coach kids on social skills, empathy and self-advocacy. She joins us during this Huntington How-To to share concepts mined from her book, Why Will No One Play With Me? She will offer suggestions on how to help your child develop social skills during this pandemic.  Maguire,  is a top expert in social skills development for children, teens and young adults who struggle socially and the families who support them.

The topics will include:

  • The importance of unstructured, imaginative play for all ages
  • How to help your child tell a more engaging, communicative story
  • Why empathy is so important
  • Reading body language, social cues, verbal intonation and more
  • Coping with worry and anxiety

And, as a reminder, registering and watching the webinar is FREE. Register at Huntington’s web link, or check out what the Huntington Learning Center in St. Cloud has to offer children academically by going online or calling 407-789-3688.

We hope you and your children will join Maguire and Huntington Learning Center on Thursday at 1 p.m.