Marquette University professor writes children's book to help families during pandemic

A Marquette University professor is creatively channeling her expertise to help families and students prepare for a school year unlike any other.

NEW AT FIVE: A MARQUETTEUNIVERSITY PROFESSOR...CHANNELING HER EXPERTISE IN ACREATIVE WAY...TO HELP PARENTSAND YOUNG STUDENTS PREPARE FORA SCHOOL YEAR... LIKE NOOTHER.

HERE'S MARY JO OLA:: A MARQUETTE UNIVERSITYPROFESSOR AND CLINICALPSYCHOLOGIST...WANTS TO HELPPARENTS AND STUDENTS...NAVIGATE THE UNCHARTED TERRITORYTHAT IS THE UPCOMING SCHOOLYEAR.

"Teach them practice 6feet.

Teach them to wash theirhands." "I think we're kind ofanxious about it as are thekids."PREPARING KIDS FOR A NEWSCHOOL YEAR AT ANY TIME ISCHALLENGING....THROW APANDEMIC IN THE MIX...AND ITCAN BE OVERWHELMING.: "I thinkkids are really resilient,even in challenging times andif given the strategies."DOCTOR EMILY MAZZULLA IS ACLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOROF PSYCHOLOGY AT MARQUETTEUNIVERSITY.AND AN EXPERT OFTRAUMA AND RESILIENCE.NOWSHE'S COMBINING HER SKILLSWITH HER A MOTHER...ANDCHANNELING IT INTO A NEWCHILDREN'S BOOK.SCHOOL IN THETIME OF CORONAVIRUS.

"Startingthe conversation and givingparents a resource in a toolto talk about this challengingtopic in a safe and enjoyable,you know, colorful illustratedway."THE STORY IS ABOUT ALITTLE GIRL NAMED MARIA...ANDIT STARTS WITH HER WASHING HERHANDS...WORRIED ABOUT GOINGBACK TO SCHOOL...THEN TURNINGTO HER MOM.

"They discusswhat's going to be the same,What's going to be different,how she's feeling, what she'sthinking, and what to do ifshe's feeling like she needsmore support."THE BOOKINCLUDES RESILIENCE BASEDCOPING STRATEGIES---VALIDATINGYOUR CHILD'S EMOTIONS...DEEPBREATHING TECHNIQUES...ANDKEEPING THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE.: "Do you think that there's apower in delivering message,the way that you are throughthis book?""I think what thosebeautiful illustrations and arelatable story can do isreally take the pressure offthe kid and the parent interms of talking about theirown life, but really start toperspective take on thecharacters." DOCTOR MAZZULLA'SBOOK WILL BE AVAILABLESTARTING AUGUST 1.

WE HAVE ALINK AT TMJ4.COM.

MJO TMJ4NEWS.