School parades can be good for children's mental health during COVID-19 pandemic, experts say

School districts around the metro are saying goodbye to their students for the summer with parades.

While this is fun, experts say it's actually good for your child's mental health, too.

BOOSTING YOUR MENTALHEALTH IS IMPORTANTESPECIALLY BECAUSE THEPANDEMIC HAS FORCED USTO FIND NEW WAYS TO DOIT.41 ACTION NEWSREPORTER JORDAN BETTSSHOWS US HOWCELEBRATING SPECIALMOMENTS CAN HELP USSTAY HEALTHY.WELCOME TOSMITHVILLE'S MIDDLESCHOOL 8TH GRADEGRAUDATION.WELL, KIND OF.STUDENTS SAYINGGOODBYE TO THEIRTEACHERS FROM THEIRCARS BEFORE HEADINGOFF TO HIGH SCHOOL.WHILE IT'S NOT MUCH, IT'SSOMETHING.Luci Siler, rode in parade"I missed them, seeing themover the computer is just notthe same."Lindsay Pendleton, son rode inparade"My son didn't want topractically want to do it, butwas glad that he did."BUT, THIS IS MORE THANJUST A PARADE, MENTALHEALTH PROFESSIONALSSAY IT GIVES STUDENTS AHEALTHY DOSE OF HOPEFOR THEIR MENTALHEALTH.Angie Winkler, Clinical LiaisonatSignature Psychiatric Hospital"Our children need a tangiblereminder of that you still havepeople that care about you,school still exists, we are notgoing to live like thisforever."ANGIE WINKLER SAYS IFYOUR SCHOOL OFFERSSOMETHING LIKE THIS,PARENTS SHOULD TAKEADVANTAGE OF IT.Angie Winkler, Clinical LiaisonatSignature Psychiatric Hospital"We don't realize howimportant it is to really mark amilestone.

Transitions arehard and being able to reallyacknowledge something isending and there is a newbeginning.

It's really importantfor our kids."LAURA MULCHY, A PARENTOF THREE RECENTLY TOOKHER KIDS TO THEIRSCHOOL PARADE.SHE SAYS AT FIRST, THEEVENT WAS EMOTIONAL.Laura Mulchy, mom of three"Sad they didn't get go outand hug them or hang out withtheir friends after."BUT, THEN IT BECAME THEHIGHLIGHT OF THEIR DAY.Laura Mulchy, mom of three"My daughter was so excited.She even looked at me andsaid I am so glad I got to saygoodbye to my teacher."PROFESSIONALS WANTYOU TO TAKE ADVANTAGEOF SOMETHING THAT CANHAVE A LONG LASTINGEFFECT.Angie Winkler, Clinical LiaisonatSignature Psychiatric Hospital"I think there is so manybenefits so much more so toour kids to have theseopportunities."JORDAN BETTS 41 ACTION