Social Awareness Archives - Cranium Kids Media

Winter Fun with Purpose: 10 Great Brain Boosting Activities for Kids

Brain Awareness, Emotional Intelligence, Executive Functioning, Social Awareness / Marie W at Cranium Kids

Are you looking for ways to keep your kids active and learning during the winter months? The chilly season might seem like a time for hibernation, but it’s actually the perfect opportunity to strengthen essential life skills—all while having fun. Executive function skills are the brain’s “management system.” These skills—such as planning, decision-making, problem-solving, and […]

Winter Fun with Purpose: 10 Great Brain Boosting Activities for Kids Read More »

AMAZING Ideas – Teaching Flexible Thinking with Mazes

Brain Awareness, Emotion Regulation, Executive Functioning, Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Think Socially / Marie W at Cranium Kids

Have you ever planned your day, only to have things go completely off track? Maybe a traffic jam caused you to miss an important meeting. Perhaps you were all set to enjoy a sunny day at the park, only to be caught in a sudden downpour. For kids, these situations might look different, but the

AMAZING Ideas – Teaching Flexible Thinking with Mazes Read More »

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

Emotion Regulation, Emotional Intelligence, Emotions, Executive Functioning, Mindfulness, Self-Awareness, Social Awareness / Marie W at Cranium Kids

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 »

It May Look Like Fun, But Play is Actually a Child’s “Work”

Brain Awareness, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Emotional Intelligence, Executive Functioning, Friendship, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision Making, Social Awareness, Think Socially / Marie W at Cranium Kids

Have you ever wondered why children seem so immersed in play, as if it’s the most important thing in the world? What if I told you that for children, play is their most important work? Through play, children develop critical skills that shape their social and emotional development, and it’s much more than just fun

It May Look Like Fun, But Play is Actually a Child’s “Work” Read More »

Teaching Students How to Take Responsibility for their Actions

Conflict Resolution, Emotional Intelligence, Friendship, Optimize Learning, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision Making, Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Think Socially / Marie W at Cranium Kids

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 »

Growing Friendships: 3 Common Friendship Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Emotional Intelligence, Executive Functioning, Friendship, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision Making, Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Think Socially / Marie W at Cranium Kids

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 »

Growing Friendships: An Innovative Social Skills Lesson

Friendship, Relationship Skills, Social Awareness, Think Socially, Uncategorized / Marie W at Cranium Kids

As the school year kicks off, it’s a season of new beginnings. Just like the changing leaves and the promise of fresh growth, this is the time when we all have the chance to sow the seeds of something truly beautiful—friendship. Whether you’re a student moving to he next grade, a teacher creating a nurturing

Growing Friendships: An Innovative Social Skills Lesson Read More »

Chutes & Ladders: A Great Game for Teaching and Learning

Emotion Regulation, Emotional Intelligence, Manage Emotions, Mindset, Self-Awareness, Social Awareness / Marie W at Cranium Kids

Chutes and Ladders is a classic board game that can serve as an excellent springboard for discussing the ups and downs of life with children. The game’s simple mechanics of climbing ladders and sliding down chutes symbolize the highs and lows we all experience in life. Here are some ways school counselors (or other adults)

Chutes & Ladders: A Great Game for Teaching and Learning Read More »

Standing Out & Blending In – Lessons from a Sea Dragon

Emotional Intelligence, Executive Functioning, Friendship, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision Making, Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Think Socially / Marie W at Cranium Kids

Have you ever seen a sea dragon? When encountering the awe-inspiring beauty and gracefulness of a sea dragon gliding through the water, it’s hard not to be captivated. These majestic creatures possess a remarkable ability to blend into their surroundings, ensuring their safety and survival in the vast ocean. As I stood in wonder, observing

Standing Out & Blending In – Lessons from a Sea Dragon Read More »

Finger Traps: Fun Toys for Powerful Lessons

Communication, Conflict Resolution, Emotional Intelligence, Empathy, Executive Functioning, Social Awareness / Marie W at Cranium Kids

Finger traps are simple yet intriguing little toys made from woven bamboo, paper, or plastic. They consist of a hollow, tubular structure with open ends. When you insert your fingers into each end and attempt to pull them out, the trap tightens around your fingers, making it challenging to free yourself. The more you try

Finger Traps: Fun Toys for Powerful Lessons Read More »

Kids & Phones: Making Wise Choices in the Digital Age

Communication, Digital Citizenship, Emotional Intelligence, Empathy, Executive Functioning, Screen Time, Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Think Socially / Marie W at Cranium Kids

We live in an age where technology has become an integral part of our lives, and children are being given cell phones at younger and younger ages. Inspired by the beloved children’s book “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” let’s discuss the topic of giving a kid a cell phone and the crucial responsibility

Kids & Phones: Making Wise Choices in the Digital Age Read More »

The Art of Memory Making: How to Create Positive Thoughts in the Minds of Others

Brain Awareness, Emotional Intelligence, Empathy, Executive Functioning, Self-Awareness, Social Awareness / Marie W at Cranium Kids

Today, we’re going to be talking about something that affects all of us – memories. Did you know that we have the power to shape the memories that others have of us? That’s right, everything we do and say gets stored in “memory files” in the minds of those around us, and it’s up to

The Art of Memory Making: How to Create Positive Thoughts in the Minds of Others Read More »

Using Flexible Thinking to Cope with the Unexpected

Anxiety, Brain Awareness, Emotional Intelligence, Executive Functioning, Self-Awareness, Social Awareness / Marie W at Cranium Kids

Imagine this: your child is faced with a problem at school and instead of feeling frustrated or overwhelmed, they confidently come up with a creative solution. As a parent, you know that this kind of adaptability and flexibility is key to your child’s success in school and in life. But how can you help your

Using Flexible Thinking to Cope with the Unexpected Read More »

Mean Doesn’t Always Mean MEAN: How to Avoid An Awkward Social Situation

Communication, Conflict Resolution, Emotion Regulation, Emotional Intelligence, Empathy, Social Awareness / Marie W at Cranium Kids

When your child complains about another child being “mean”, it might not mean what you think it means! As your child grows and begins to navigate their social relationships, it’s natural for them to encounter moments where they feel like someone is being mean or treating them unfairly. It can be tough for kids to

Mean Doesn’t Always Mean MEAN: How to Avoid An Awkward Social Situation Read More »

“It’s a Wonderful Life” – An Inspiring Reminder

Emotional Intelligence, Empathy, Gratitude, Mindset, Self-Awareness, Social Awareness / Marie W at Cranium Kids

“Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” This line from the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” really strikes a chord with me. I’ve seen the movie dozens of times. Yet once again this holiday season, Clarence, an angel-in-training, reminds me of just how

“It’s a Wonderful Life” – An Inspiring Reminder Read More »