ARTICLES
How Can Kids Build Social Skills?
How can kids build social skills? Let’s talk about making friends, having successful play dates, sharing and chatting with others, and getting along. Parents play a big part in shaping our children’s social abilities. Let’s explore how to support and lay the foundation for our little ones’ social success so they shine like the bright stars!
Is Your Child Clumsy?
Is your child clumsy or seems to have a knack for bumping into furniture, walls, and even people? It can be frustrating, worrisome, and even downright comical at times. While being clumsy can be a normal part of typical development during toddlerhood, it can also indicate neuromotor and sensory processing challenges. Let’s look at possible causes and explore practical solutions for parents concerned about their child’s lack of motor coordination.
Teaching Children Responsibility and Empathy
The Difference between “What Could I Do” and “What Should I Do”
Teaching children responsibility and empathy and the difference between “What could I do” and “What should I do” is vital to their emotional and moral development. This distinction helps them make responsible choices and nurtures empathy and a strong sense of ethics. We will explore the differences and provide practical strategies for parents and educators.
How to Help Your Child Practice Mindfulness
This ten-step article can show you how to help your child practice mindfulness in simple ways. Mindfulness is a concept that may sound big and complex, but it’s a beautiful practice even kindergarteners can understand. Being mindful means paying close attention to what’s happening. It’s like having a superpower called “focus.” Imagine you’re coloring a beautiful picture or enjoying a tasty snack. When you’re mindful, you give your full attention to that picture you are coloring or to that snack you are tasting. You notice the colors, the taste, and how it makes you feel.
Social Anxiety: Effective Strategies to Help Your Child Thrive
Social anxiety can make social situations seem daunting and overwhelming. It’s a common challenge for many, but it doesn’t have to stand in the way of a fulfilling life. With the right strategies, social anxiety can be managed and overcome. This post will explore effective strategies to help you address social anxiety and thrive in social situations.
Emotional Intelligence: A superpower for both kids and adults!
Emotional intelligence is a crucial skill for children to develop, as it helps them navigate the complexities of social relationships, cope with stress, and develop resilience in the face of adversity. Parents and educators can help children become well-rounded individuals equipped to handle life’s challenges by promoting self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. We can empower children to recognize and manage their emotions, connect with others, and achieve their goals through open communication, problem-solving strategies, and positive modeling. By investing in children’s emotional intelligence, we are investing in their future success and happiness.
How To Help Your Child Manage Big Emotions: Breathe
Emotions can often swell to overwhelming proportions in a world filled with ever-increasing demands, stressors, and challenges. These emotions can be difficult to manage, whether it’s anxiety, anger, sadness, or even moments of intense joy. Fortunately, there is a remarkable tool available to everyone that will show you how to help your child manage big emotions, a tool that is always within reach and entirely free: the breath. This article explores the profound impact of conscious breathing in managing big emotions and offers practical insights on making the most of this powerful tool in our daily lives.
Teaching Your Child About Feelings
Teaching your child about feelings is not always easy. Children have a magical way of expressing themselves, not always with words, but with their actions and behaviors. Our children are like little detectives; they can uncover the secrets behind every giggle, frown, and outburst. In this exciting adventure of understanding feelings, we will explore the world of emotions and how behavior is a form of hidden communication.
This article shows how you can share the complex world of feelings with young children so they can easily understand.
How To Nurture Child Development Through Free Play
To nurture child development through free play can express a magical time when curiosity knows no bounds and imagination runs wild. It’s a time for children to explore, discover, and grow. The cornerstone of this growth is play – a fundamental aspect of every child’s life. In this blog post, we will delve into the world of play, exploring its profound impact on children’s development, the significance of freely chosen play, the role of playful parenting, how play fosters problem-solving, and the integration of digital technology into the world of play.
What Does Social-Emotional Learning Mean?
Social-emotional learning and development are influential in designing our lives, affecting our relationships, mental health, and overall well-being. To understand what SEL means, we will look at 5 components of SEL: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.* This exploration will delve into the intricacies of social-emotional development, its impact on our lives, and the strategies to nurture it effectively.
Defining So
Teach Your Child to Show Kindness: 10 Practical Ways
Kindness is a quality that can transform lives, mend relationships, and create a more compassionate world. As parents, one of our most important responsibilities is to teach our children to show kindness. Teaching them to be kind not only benefits their social development but also contributes to a more harmonious society. Kindness is more than just a warm and fuzzy feeling; it's a fundamental aspect of human interaction that has a profound impact on individuals and communities. Here are some reasons why teaching kindness to your child is beneficial:
Eight Guidelines to Help Your Child Succeed
As parents, one of our most important responsibilities is to nurture and guide our children towards a successful and fulfilling life, basically helping your child succeed. Here are eight effective ways to set positive expectations for your child.
Seven Ways To Help Your Child Get Organized
Here are seven practical ways to help your child get organized and responsible today. It’s a win-win scenario because as they become more organized, the household runs smoother, stress decreases, and you can enjoy each other more (less nagging and fewer excuses).
How the Multiple Intelligence Theory Impacts Learning and Education
The traditional view of intelligence has often been narrow, focusing primarily on academic aptitude and standardized test scores. However, Howard Gardner's multiple intelligence theory revolutionized the way we understand human cognitive abilities. Gardner's theory suggests that there are several distinct types of intelligence, each with its unique characteristics and qualities. This paradigm shift has profound implications for education, as it recognizes the diverse ways individuals learn and excel. In this article, we will explore Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences and discuss its significant impact on learning.
What Are Developmental Milestones: Gross and Fine Motor
The early years of a child's life are a time of remarkable growth and development. From the moment they are born, children begin a journey of learning and discovery, reaching important developmental milestones along the way. These milestones are key indicators of a child's progress in various areas of development, including physical, cognitive, social, and emotional. Understanding these milestones can help parents and caregivers ensure that a child is on track and provide the necessary support to foster healthy development. The following is meant to be a guideline. Infants and children develop at varying rates; however, if you are concerned that your child may have a significant delay, speak with your pediatrician and explore options for a formal developmental assessment by a professional.
What are Cognitive Developmental Milestones
Cognitive developmental milestones refer to a child's mental growth and capacity to understand, reason, and learn about the world, and this starts from day one. Newborns take in information from their sensory systems, and they are constantly learning about their own bodies, their families, and their environments. While development varies from child to child, the following milestones are a way for parents to see what they can expect as their little one grows and develops.
Who benefits from Pediatric Occupational Therapy?
ince I've had a career in pediatric occupational therapy, it's hard for me not to brag about how considerable the benefits of OT are for all children. OT is a specialized branch of healthcare that focuses on helping children achieve their maximum potential in various areas of development. Occupational therapists work with children who face multiple challenges, including dysfunction in sensory processing, emotional regulation, visual perceptual skills, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, social skills, play skills, feeding, self-care, and behavioral concerns. Let's talk about the considerable benefits of pediatric occupational therapy, shedding light on these critical areas of daily function.
Building Resilience in Children: Life Changing
The world our children will inherit is one of immense potential, with complexities and challenges that will test their mettle. To thrive amidst the unpredictability of life, children need resilience – the capacity to recover from difficulties, adapt to change, and keep moving forward even in the face of adversity. Building resilience in children is a vital part of their development, equipping them with the tools to weather the ups and downs of life with grace and tenacity.
Social Skills for Kids: Learning in Group Situations
Learning takes place in various settings, including schools, homes, and communities. One of the most effective and dynamic ways for children is learning in group situations. Group learning offers numerous advantages, such as promoting collaboration, enhancing social skills, and fostering a sense of belonging. However, for a child to thrive in a group learning environment, several key factors must be considered and nurtured. In this article, we will explore what it takes for a child to learn as part of a group and how parents, educators, and communities can support this process.
Joint Attention As A Powerful Connection Between Child and Adult
Joint attention is intricately linked with a child's social-emotional, communicative, and cognitive growth. It refers to the shared focus of two individuals on an object, activity, or event for mutual interaction. This behavior emerges as a crucial component of early social and communicative behaviors and is instrumental in the bonding process between a child and caregiver.