Emotion Regulation

An Ocean of Emotions: How to Navigate the Waves of Feelings

Imagine a beautiful beach, bathed in sunlight. The ocean stretches out before you, its waves rising and falling rhythmically. As you watch, you can’t help but notice how each wave is different—some gentle and peaceful, others powerful and intense. Just like those waves, our emotions ebb and flow within us. In a child’s world, emotions […]

An Ocean of Emotions: How to Navigate the Waves of Feelings Read More »

How to use a Mind Jar as a Teaching Tool for Calming Strong Emotions

Have you ever felt like your thoughts are swirling around like glitter in a snow globe after a vigorous shake? Well, that’s exactly what can happen to our minds when we experience strong emotions. But just like the calming descent of those shimmering flecks, we can learn to quiet the storm within and regain our

How to use a Mind Jar as a Teaching Tool for Calming Strong Emotions Read More »

Unwrapping Joy: How to Find and Create Joy

We live in a society that often tells us that happiness can be found in material possessions and external circumstances. We’re bombarded with advertisements telling us that if we just buy the latest gadget or designer handbag, we’ll find joy and fulfillment. Around the holidays, the word “joy” echoes in the songs we sing, the

Unwrapping Joy: How to Find and Create Joy Read More »

From Chaos to Calm: Unlock the Power of the Pause Place

As teachers and parents, we know that children can often become overwhelmed, frustrated, or anxious in the classroom or at home. In these moments, it is important to have a designated calming space where children can go to reset their minds and calm their bodies. One way to create a calming space is to set

From Chaos to Calm: Unlock the Power of the Pause Place Read More »

Mindfulness: How to Improve Everything by Doing Nothing

Hey Teachers! What if we told you that by doing nothing, your students could benefit greatly in the classroom? Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it’s not. We’re talking about mindfulness, and it’s a practice that has proven to reduce problematic behaviors in the classroom while providing a host of other benefits for

Mindfulness: How to Improve Everything by Doing Nothing Read More »

Adjusting to a New (Classroom) Family: Back-to-School Emotions 

Have you ever thought about the start of a new school year as similar to the process of adjusting to a change in the family? Just as families experience shifts in dynamics when changes occur, students and their families often undergo a period of adjustment once the novelty of the school year wears off. This

Adjusting to a New (Classroom) Family: Back-to-School Emotions  Read More »

Anxiety: Secrets to Unmasking the Many Faces it Wears

Do you remember the first time you encountered anxiety? Perhaps it was a fluttering in your stomach before a big test or a sudden rush of unease in a new situation. Anxiety can be a complex and elusive emotion, especially for children. In my work with elementary students, I’ve seen how anxiety can manifest in

Anxiety: Secrets to Unmasking the Many Faces it Wears Read More »

Pause. Breathe. Think! A Simple Strategy for Impulse Control

Has this ever happened to you?  You’re in your kitchen when, without thinking, you grab the lid off a hot pot with your bare hands. What happens next? If your first instinct is to yank your hand away, congratulations! You’ve just demonstrated a classic example of an impulse – an automatic reaction without much thought.

Pause. Breathe. Think! A Simple Strategy for Impulse Control Read More »

How to Twist Your Approach to Social Emotional Learning

Are you an elementary school counselor searching for innovative methods to make social emotional learning (SEL) lessons more engaging and enjoyable for your students?  Do you often find it challenging to encourage active participation in SEL activities?  If you’re seeking a fun and interactive way to foster essential social emotional skills such as teamwork, communication,

How to Twist Your Approach to Social Emotional Learning Read More »