Podcast

Helping Kids Understand How Their Brain Works

My guest Dr. Crystal Collier and I discuss some tough topics during this episode. Please be aware, especially if younger ears are listening, and please click play with care

As parents, we are concerned that our kids and teens may engage in high risk behaviors as they grow up. How can we, as parents, encourage our children away from engaging in these high risk behaviors? Or, if they are already doing any of these behaviors, how can we encourage them to stop them? 

In today’s episode:

Coping Skills Practice: Processing

Exploring different coping strategies helps us expand our child’s toolkit of strategies that work. But sometimes, it’s a challenge to get kids to try new skills. In this summer series, Janine tries to make it easier by walking you through six different strategies which she invites you to try with your child. Practice each one a few times to see if it’s a strategy that your child likes, and if they want to add it into their coping skills toolkit.

Coping Skills Practice: Movement

Exploring different coping strategies helps us expand our child’s toolkit of strategies that work. But sometimes, it’s a challenge to get kids to try new skills. In this summer series, Janine tries to make it easier by walking you through six different strategies which she invites you to try with your child. Practice each one a few times to see if it’s a strategy that your child likes, and if they want to add it into their coping skills toolkit.

Coping Skills Practice: Sensory

Exploring different coping strategies helps us expand our child’s toolkit of strategies that work. But sometimes, it’s a challenge to get kids to try new skills. In this summer series, Janine tries to make it easier by walking you through six different strategies which she invites you to try with your child. Practice each one a few times to see if it’s a strategy that your child likes, and if they want to add it into their coping skills toolkit.

Coping Skills Practice: Distraction

Exploring different coping strategies helps us expand our child’s toolkit of strategies that work. But sometimes, it’s a challenge to get kids to try new skills. In this summer series, Janine tries to make it easier by walking you through six different strategies which she invites you to try with your child. Practice each one a few times to see if it’s a strategy that your child likes, and if they want to add it into their coping skills toolkit.

Coping Skills Practice: Relaxation

Exploring different coping strategies helps us expand our child’s toolkit of strategies that work. But sometimes, it’s a challenge to get kids to try new skills. In this summer series, Janine tries to make it easier by walking you through six different strategies which she invites you to try with your child. Practice each one a few times to see if it’s a strategy that your child likes, and if they want to add it into their coping skills toolkit.

Coping Skills Practice: Deep Breathing

Using different breathing techniques can be such a useful tool to have ready in our tool kits to use with our children or even ourselves. In this year's summer series, Janine introduces us to a selection of different coping skills which she invites you to practice and see which style works best for you and your child. 

In today’s episode, Janine introduces us to a deep breathing technique called ‘Cool the Cocoa’. This is where you breathe in and out pretending to blow and cool down a hot drink of cocoa. 

Take a moment to try a new method, listen along and practice if you’d like.

Practical Executive Function Strategies for Kids and Families

The brain has to learn really specific skills when a child is little, like learning to pack a bag, organize themselves, tidy their room, personal hygiene, learning how to get a task done as well as learning how to finish a task too. These are all such key skills and are often learnt as a child goes through life and education and learning them well will make life easier!

In today’s episode:

When Should I Practice Coping Skills with Kids

Have you ever wondered when is a good time to practice coping skills with your child? This is a really good question to consider and how this may look in your week. The first step is for the adult and child to be emotionally ready and calm and from this point, new skills can be learned.  

In this episode Janine speaks about:

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