Several years ago, I wrote an article on this topic because the mother of a client of mine had significant concerns about getting through the holiday season, in particular, all the parties. I also understood this from my own experience as a parent, so I gave her some ideas. Since it's that time of year, I wanted to share these ideas with you to help. Take a listen!
How to Explore Feelings with Children Who Don't Want to Talk
We all know how important it is to help kids explore their feelings - it's a vital step in helping them understand and manage their emotions. But what do we do with those little ones who don't want to talk about it? Truthfully, it can be hard for kids to talk about their feelings. Here are four ideas to help you explore a child's emotions - without talking!
Three Props You Can Use to Help Kids Take Deep Breaths
How to Create a Calm Down Kit at Michael's
A coping skills toolbox is an actual physical container that houses items kids can use to help calm down and express their emotions in healthy ways. There are a ton of strategies your child can use to calm down, and having a toolbox is one way to keep several of these tools readily available to use.
Where can you get these items to help create a coping skills toolbox or a calm down kit? I spend a lot of time at Michael’s because I love arts & crafts. But they also have lots of items that would work well in a calm down kit. On a recent trip, I took pictures of what I would put in a coping skills toolkit. Listen to what I found!
How to Create a Calm Down Kit at Target
A coping skills toolbox is an actual physical container that houses items kids can use to help calm down and express their emotions in healthy ways. There are a ton of strategies your child can use to calm down, and having a toolbox is one way to keep several of these tools readily available to use.
Where can you get these items to help create a coping skills toolbox or a calm down kit? One of my favorite places to go is Target. Recently, I went on a Target run and took pictures of what I would put in a coping skills toolkit. Listen to what I found!
Four Books to Help Kids Who Worry
Why Coloring is AWESOME!
Coloring is one of my favorite distraction skills. Research studies are happening now investigating the impact of coloring on anxiety, depression, or stress levels in different age groups. While the studies are small, it seems like they are finding that coloring does make a difference. To hear more about why coloring is awesome, take a listen!
Turning Negative Self-Talk into Positive Self-Talk
This podcast episode is all about turning negative self-talk into positive self-talk. I discuss two of my go-to strategies when working with clients to help manage the negative things they say to themselves. When we let those negative thoughts fester, it can impact how we see ourselves and interact with the world. We want to focus on resilience and the positive aspects of who we are, so it makes sense to focus on positive self-talk. T
How to Use the Feelings Thermometer
On today’s episode, I talk about one of my favorite ways to pull together thoughts, behaviors, feelings, and coping strategies with a child - the feelings thermometer. I give a quick overview of how to use it, and explain the benefits of this useful resource.
I also have new free resources that accomplish the same thing the feelings thermometer does, but in a way that is more appealing for older kids & teens.
Take a listen!