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For Kids: Keep S'myelin

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Keep S’myelin: A fun resource for kids about MS

The Keep S’myelin Activity Book is a 28-page colorful, engaging, informative, and reassuring interactive publication to help children and their parents talk and learn about MS together. It is filled with stories, interviews, games, and activities on a variety of topics related to MS, and there is a special separate 8-page section just for parents. Due to the impact of COVID-19 we are not able to mail materials at this time. We encourage you to connect with an MS Navigator regarding downloadable publications and videos. You can also download it here: Kids' section  /  Parents' section

The Keep S’myelin Activity Book replaces the Keep S’myelin newsletters. While the newsletters are no longer published, they are archived below and are available online only.

You and your family may also be interested in Digesting Science, an interactive website about MS designed specifically for children and teens.

  1. Keep S’myelin: Activity Book for Kids about MS (.pdf)

    28-page colorful, engaging, and interactive publication filled with stories, interviews, games, and activities on a variety of topics related to MS. For children ages 5-12. Due to the impact of COVID-19 we are not able to mail materials at this time. We encourage you to connect with an MS Navigator regarding downloadable publications and videos.

  2. Keep S’myelin: Parent Supplement for Kids Activity Book (.pdf)

    Guide for parent accompanies the activity book for children. Includes tips on how to talk to younger children about MS and learn about MS as a family.

  3. Keep S'myelin: Issue 1 — Intro to MS (.pdf)

    Parents often wonder how much to tell their children about MS. They worry that talking about the MS will be too frightening, too confusing, and too burdensome for the kids to handle. We wanted to make this newsletter available to children because we feel that accurate information, geared to a child's age and abilities, helps that child to understand and cope with changes MS may bring.

  4. Keep S'myelin: Issue 2 — About MS and Feelings (.pdf)

    This issue of Keep S'myelin is all about feelings. As you share the stories and activities with your children, you might want to reflect on some of your own feelings and help your kids identify theirs. This is a chance to share and compare.

  5. Keep S'myelin: Issue 20 (.pdf)

    We don’t know exactly why, but we do know that a person with MS may have lots of energy at certain times of the day, but feel very tired at other times. We know that some people with MS have days or weeks or months when they feel better, and then days or weeks or months when they feel worse.

  6. Keep S'myelin: Issue 19B- Where is the Cure- For Parents (.pdf)

    Reasons to be hopeful for a cure.

  7. Keep S'myelin: Issue 19A- Where is the Cure- For Children (.pdf)

    Where is the cure? Grownups are always saying "be patient". Do you ever wonder why it is taking so long? There are lots of reasons.

  8. Keep S’myelin: Issue 18 (.pdf)

    Once your healthcare practitioner has confirmed that you are experiencing an MS exacerbation, your next step will be to identify strategies for managing the situation. This issue will help you and your children make it through this challenging time.

  9. Keep Smyelin - Issue 17B - Teamwork - For Parents (.pdf)

    This issue is designed to reassure your children that there are lots of people who can help your family cope with MS. The medical team, friends, neighbors, teachers, The National MS Society, MS researchers, all may be members of your family's "team."

  10. Keep S’myelin: Issue 16A — Family Changes - For Children (.pdf)

    Use this issue of Keep S’myelin to help you and your children talk together about the changes MS has brought to your family. Change is difficult for all of us, regardless of age. However, children, in particular, rely on routines; they like to know just what to expect, and for the most part, enjoy the status quo.

  11. Keep S’myelin: Issue 17A — Teamwork - For Chidren (.pdf)

    This issue is designed to reassure your children that there are lots of people who can help your family cope with MS. The medical team, friends, neighbors, teachers, The National MS Society, MS researchers, all may be members of your family's "team."

  12. Keep S’myelin: Issue 15B — Moving with MS - For Parents (.pdf)

    Some people with MS use a cane to help them walk. Others use a wheelchair or a scooter to get around. Still others walk just fine without any help at all. This issue of Keep S'myelin will help you and your kids adjust to new mobility aids.

  13. Keep S’myelin: Issue 15A — Moving with MS - For Children (.pdf)

    Some people with MS use a cane to help them walk. Others use a wheelchair or a scooter to get around. Still others walk just fine without any help at all. This issue of Keep S'myelin will help you and your kids adjust to new mobility aids.

  14. Keep S’myelin: Issue 14 — Invisible Symptoms (.pdf)

    How many times has a family member, friend or colleague said, "I know you have MS, but you look so well!" Use this issue of Keep S'myelin to help your children understand the concepts of variability and unpredictability, and the frustration of having invisible symptoms.

  15. Keep S’myelin: Issue 13 — Fun Activities (.pdf)

    This issue of Keep S’myelin contains lots of family activities and games. Some have MS content — for example, the scrambled answer quiz and the word search — while others are just for fun, like the recipes, jokes, and games. So, we hope this issue serves two purposes: providing ways to learn about MS with your child and suggesting ways to have fun together in spite of MS!

  16. Keep S’myelin: Issue 11 — Feelings & MS (.pdf)

    Everyone in the family is likely to have feelings about MS—the most common being anxiety, anger, sadness and guilt. One of the biggest challenges for families is that each person will experience these reactions at different times and in different ways.

  17. Keep S’myelin: Issue 8 — MS Around the World (.pdf)

    In this issue of Keep S’myelin, your children will learn about the larger world of MS. Since families can sometimes feel very alone in their efforts to cope with the impact of MS, it may come as a surprise to learn that parents and children around the world are sharing this experience—and that MS Societies like ours are working to support their efforts.

  18. Keep S’myelin: Issue 7 — This Is About You (.pdf)

    This issue of Keep S’myelin is filled with stories by children who have a parent with MS. Their stories reflect the variability of the disease itself, providing you with the opportunity to remind your child(ren) that every person’s MS is different.

  19. Keep S’myelin: Issue 5 — Family Life and MS (.pdf)

    This issue of Keep S'myelin is about families. You can use the articles and games to talk with your children about the ways MS has changed your family's routines or affected different members of the family.

  20. Keep S’myelin: Issue 4 — Schools (.pdf)

    School is the backdrop for a very significant part of your child's life. Family and home issues are brought to the school environment just as school experiences influence home life. Use this issue of Keep S'myelin to help you talk with your child about his or her school experiences, especially as they relate to MS in the family.

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