Standing Out & Blending In – Lessons from a Sea Dragon
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
Exploring the Great Outdoors: 5 Benefits for Children
Recently, I took a leisurely walk with some friends. One friend brought along her preschool-aged children, and watching them explore and interact with nature was a joyous sight. It was a breath of fresh air, both literally and metaphorically. The experience made me reflect on the incredible importance of outdoor
A Mental Dress Rehearsal: Planning in Your Mind
As the sun begins to set, you find yourself sitting behind the wheel of your car, ready to embark on a flurry of evening activities. As you navigate the familiar route home, your mind springs into action, engaging in a mental dress rehearsal of the tasks that lie ahead. You
Structured Screen Time: Disconnecting from Screens & Connecting With Real Life
As the summer season approaches, parents face a familiar challenge: how to encourage their children to step away from screens and engage in meaningful activities. While it may seem that children can pay attention to screens for hours without any apparent issues, it is crucial to recognize the long-term consequences
Finger Traps: Fun Toys for Powerful Lessons
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
Kids & Phones: Making Wise Choices in the Digital Age
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
End-of-Year Transition: The Kaleidoscope of Change
As the school year comes to a close, it’s natural for students, parents, and educators to reflect on the journey they’ve taken together. This reflection often brings about thoughts of change, and the potential challenges and excitement that lie ahead. Change can sometimes be intimidating, but today, we’ll explore how
Unlocking The Secrets Of Emotion: A Guide For Parents And Teachers
As parents and teachers, we often find ourselves struggling to navigate the emotional ups and downs of our children. One moment they are overjoyed with excitement, and the next, they are reduced to tears. It can be challenging to know how to help our children manage their emotions effectively. However,
Overcoming Test Anxiety: 6 Helpful Strategies for Students
Oh, spring. The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and the students are…stressed out of their minds? Ah, yes, it must be state testing season! As elementary teachers, we know that testing can be a source of anxiety for our students. But fear not! There are strategies that we
Sad Isn’t Bad: How to Cope While Letting Kids Grow
Parenting is no easy feat. It’s a job that requires patience, perseverance, and a lot of love. But one thing that often gets overlooked is the importance of allowing children to experience a range of emotions, even the uncomfortable ones. As much as we want to protect our kids from
Affirmations: Powerful Little Pep Talks for Your Brain
Hi everyone! Have you ever heard of affirmations? Affirmations are simple, positive statements that we repeat to ourselves to provide encouragement and motivation. And did you know that they are based on science? Our brain’s language is repetition. Whatever we say or think or do repeatedly sticks in our brain.
The Art of Memory Making: How to Create Positive Thoughts in the Minds of Others
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
Stop Before You POP! An Innovative Lesson on Emotion Regulation
Have you ever had a disagreement with a friend and felt like your emotions were blowing up like a balloon? It can be tough to stay calm and find a solution when we’re feeling strong emotions like anger or frustration. But there’s a fun and educational way to practice managing
The Power of STEAM for Strong Brain Development
Engaging in STEAM activities can benefit brain development, particularly in the areas of executive function for elementary students.
From Chaos to Peace: Proven Strategies for Managing Temper Tantrums
You’re at the grocery store with your child, who is begging and pleading for a box of “Frosted Fudge Flakes.” You’ve told them no, but they’re having none of it. Suddenly, they throw themselves onto the floor, kicking and screaming at the top of their lungs. You’re embarrassed, frustrated, and
Visualizing Success: How to Teach “Future Thinking“
As a parent or teacher of a child with executive function challenges, you may have noticed that your kid struggles with tasks that require organization, planning, or self-regulation. These skills, known as executive function skills, are important for helping us achieve our goals and succeed in school, work, and other
Be a Friendship Magnet: A Lesson on How to Attract Friends
Magnets are interesting because they have the power to attract and stick to some things, but they also have the power to repel or push away other things. People are kinda like that. We can use our words and actions to attract others, but sometimes our words and actions can
Using Flexible Thinking to Cope with the Unexpected
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