Some of the April activities are specifically designed for children who may be struggling with the loss of a loved one.
Cornerstone’s Kids is offering Spring-related activities for children and teens to enjoy throughout April.
Developed by Cornerstone Hospice Children’s Bereavement Counselor Kristen Nardolillo, LCSW, Cornerstone’s Kids is designed to foster fun, friendship and support to area students who may be struggling due to grief or challenges posed by the pandemic.
Cornerstone’s Kids is free and open to children, ages 6 – 17, living in Lake, Sumter, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties in Florida and Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, and Hall counties in Georgia. Participants do not have to be in Cornerstone’s bereavement program.
Following are a few of the April activities planned:
- Friday, April 2, at 4:30 p.m. – Kids will receive 10 plastic eggs by mail and then take turns hiding the eggs in the background of their camera screen during this virtual egg hunt. Other Easter Egg activities are planned. Please RSVP at least a week in advance to receive the materials for this fun session.
- Friday, April 8, at 4:30 p.m. – Loosely translated as “circle” or “center,” Mandalas are circular designs that have repeating colors, shapes and patters. In Buddhist and Hindu traditions, mandalas are an object of mediation. Nardolillo will lead students in coloring their own mandalas while discussing the benefits of meditation. Please RSVP at least a week in advance to receive the materials needed for the activity.
- Thursday, April 22, at 4:30 p.m. – Students will make a memorable mobile for a lost loved one during the Pieces of my Heart session. Nardolillo will guide participants in cutting hearts out of construction paper and decorating them and then creating a mobile using pipe cleaners. Please register for this session at least a week in advance to receive the materials by mail.
- Wednesday, April 28, at 4:30 p.m. – Cornerstone’s Kids participants will enjoy playing the ever-popular Bingo and the chance to win prizes(?). Please RSVP at least a week in advance to receive the game pack.
- Weekly Yoga – Yoga for kids, age 6 -11 is held every Monday, from 4 – 4:30 p.m. Teen yoga, for ages 12 – 17, is held every Tuesday, from 4 – 4:45 p.m.
During the Cornerstone’s Kids activities, Nardolillo uses art therapy, creative writing, storytelling, play therapy and visualization as well as socially entertaining events to help children alleviate anxiety, deal with their feelings, and learn to cope with grief, family and school environments and even stress caused by the pandemic.
All activities are held virtually, for now. Registration is required to participate in the Cornerstone’s Kids programs. Instructions for logging into the events, which are held via Zoom video conferencing, are provided upon registration.
Information about Cornerstone’s Kids is available at https://CornerstonesKids.org, by emailing CornerstonesKids@cshospice.org or by calling 866-742-6655.
About Cornerstone Hospice
Cornerstone Hospice is a leading community-owned provider of end-of-life care in Central Florida and North Georgia. For over 35 years Cornerstone has set the standard for hospice care as we serve more than 7,000 people each year in Lake, Sumter, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties in Florida and Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, and Hall counties in Georgia. For more information, to donate, or to volunteer, call 866-742-6655 or visit www.CornerstoneHospice.org.
