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COMMUNICATE FREELY Team leads and employees working from dozens of different locations have already led to a stronger emphasis on better and more consistent communication. In some instances, over-communication is becoming necessary in order to keep operations afloat, but it has now created cultures open to videoconferencing, extra telephone calls, and better ways to stay in constant touch via chat or messaging apps. Communication keeps everyone connected, which increases responsiveness, attention spans, and collaboration. EMBRACE THE PERSONAL Working from home personalizes the workplace and there’s simply no way around that, so find ways to embrace it. With the imaginary line between work and family essentially dissolved, team members are coming out of their shells and becoming more relatable. Colleagues are sharing family moments on video calls —whether accidental or not — and instead of causing disruptions, those moments can build team bonds that are stronger than ever before. A glimpse behind the curtain that reminds team members that the people they work with are more than cogs in a business machine leads to increased empathy. The blending of personal and professional can be liberating, not hindering. ENCOURAGE COLLABORATION Fighting a common enemy — COVID-19 in this case — created a new type of bond within a team. When people work together in the face of
the same challenge, they bring a new level of connection to both colleagues and customers. Studies have also shown that during isolation, collaborating via videoconference can actually improve workers’moods and work ethics. Enthusiasm for teamwork increases when teams have to take extra steps to work together, solve problems, and be proactive during difficult times. These fundamentals have always been in place, but working remotely proved just how effective and positive they are. The pandemic has provided a pivot point for company culture, whether you and your employees are still at home or are back in the office. The shift has been sudden but profound, and businesses are still making major changes that are leading them to see their work environment differently.
HELP YOUR KIDS HANDLE STRESSFUL SITUATIONS With These Sensory-Rich Activities
You can see it happening, almost in slow motion: Your child goes from playing and laughing to frowning in less than a second. They start to cry, and suddenly, a meltdown is underway. Is this just the way raising young kids is? Does a lack of sleep, change in routine, or intense hunger always have to lead to a meltdown? While it’s human to feel emotions
and express them, you can use certain strategies to help your child navigate major emotions and calm down. The key is helping them tap into their central nervous system with activities that engage their senses. Just like adults, younger kids sometimes need support to regulate their emotions, especially in situations that are stressful for them. That’s where activities that engage the five senses can be
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Make a pile of pillows and jump into it.
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Put on some fun music and dance.
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Bounce your little one on your lap or an exercise ball.
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Take them for a spin around the house in a box or laundry basket; kids can even race each other.
really beneficial. Sensory activities that utilize the five senses can help your little one connect their body to their immediate surroundings and the larger world around them. Here are some sensory- rich activities that can help kids feel calmer in stressful times:
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Create a slide by propping a mattress or exercise mat against the couch.
These are activities you can use right where you are to help your child find their calm again, even in a meltdown. According to early childhood development expert Alyssa Blask Campbell, sensory input stays in the system for about two hours, meaning even just five minutes of these types of activities can give you and your child hours of calm throughout the day.
2 • www.yolofskylaw.com
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