Marie W at Cranium Kids

Airing of the Grievances: Healthy Communication or Recipe for Conflict?

Communication, Conflict Resolution, Emotion Regulation, Emotional Intelligence /

Festivus, the holiday made popular on the TV show Seinfeld, is celebrated on December 23rd. This parody of traditional holiday celebrations includes the annual Festivus tradition known as “airing of grievances,” where participants tell others how they have disappointed or frustrated them over the past year. While it is true that an increase in negative […]

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The Power of Sensations: Understanding the Body’s Amazing Clues

Brain Awareness, Emotion Regulation, Emotional Intelligence, Self-Awareness /

Sensations are the clues that our body gives us about our feelings. They can range from physical sensations, such as a racing heart or butterflies in the stomach, to mental sensations, such as a racing mind or difficulty concentrating. It is important for children to learn how to listen to these sensations and understand what

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Empathy: How to Stand in Someone Else’s Shoes

Emotional Intelligence, Empathy, Self-Awareness /

As parents and teachers, it is our responsibility to nurture and teach our children about empathy. Empathy is a crucial skill that helps children understand and connect with others, leading to better relationships, improved social skills, and ultimately, a more compassionate society. One of the benefits of teaching children about empathy is that it helps

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An Attitude of Gratitude Can Change Your Life

Brain Awareness, Emotion Regulation, Emotional Intelligence, Gratitude, Mindfulness, Mindset, Self-Awareness /

Gratitude is the feeling of being thankful and appreciative for something or someone. It’s a powerful emotion that can have a huge impact on our mental and physical well-being. Research has shown that practicing gratitude can have a number of benefits for the brain. For example, it can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve

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The 3 F’s of Survival: Understanding the Fight, Flight, or Freeze Response

Brain Awareness, Emotion Regulation, Emotional Intelligence, Self-Awareness /

It’s natural to want to protect children from danger and help them to feel safe. But sometimes, our brains can react to potentially dangerous situations in ways that are not always helpful. This is known as the fight, flight, or freeze response, and it’s a natural part of the way our brains are wired. When

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Merry Mindfulness: 5 Simple Activities that turn Chaos into Calm

Brain Awareness, Emotion Regulation, Emotional Intelligence, Mindfulness, Self-Awareness /

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment, without judgment. It helps us become more aware of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, and can help us find more peace and calm in the midst of busyness and chaos. There are many benefits to practicing mindfulness with children, including: If you are interested

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How to Teach Emotion Regulation with Cranium Critters

Brain Awareness, Emotion Regulation, Emotional Intelligence, Emotions, Manage Emotions, Self-Awareness /

Do you ever wonder what’s happening in your brain when you experience strong emotions? How can understanding the inner workings of the brain empower children (and adults) to better manage their thoughts, feelings, and actions? Let’s explore the fascinating world of the brain and how teaching children about its functions can give them the tools

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Calm the Brain’s Safety Pup and Keep the Wise Owl Thinking

Brain Awareness, Emotion Regulation, Emotional Intelligence, Self-Awareness /

Cranium Critters™ help children to understand how different parts of the brain play different roles in keeping us safe and helping us think and make decisions. One important part of the brain is the amygdala, which acts like a safety pup. The amygdala’s job is to protect us from danger by quickly detecting potential threats

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