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 »
Breathing beads are simple yet effective tools designed to harness the power of the brain in promoting mindfulness and self-regulation.
Little Beads, Big Impact: Using Breathing Beads with Kids Read More »
Have you ever heard a child say, “He made me do it!” after getting in trouble? This common phrase highlights a challenge young students face: taking responsibility for their words and actions. Shifting the blame to others might seem like an easy way out, but it prevents them from learning valuable life skills. In my
Teaching Students How to Take Responsibility for their Actions Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Dear Ordinary Extraordinary Humans – Welcome to an exciting exploration of the fascinating world of distractions! In our children’s picture book, “Cranium Critters: Einstein Acts When Squirrels Distract,” we explore the mischievous realm of squirrels—the kind that cause all kinds of nutty nonsense and distract us from our goals. Join us as we embark on
The Distraction Dilemma: How to Outsmart the Squirrels Read More »
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 »
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 »
Friendship can be kinda tricky. When kids are excited about having new friends, sometimes without meaning to, they end up pushing their friends away by doing things that ANNOY them. Has anyone ever accused you of being annoying? Then you might need to figure out how and when to stop so that you can keep
Growing Friendships: 3 Common Friendship Mistakes and How to Avoid Them Read More »
