Cultivating Balance: Crafting a Family Screen Time Plan with the Latest Insights

Nurturing Family Values in Screen Time In an era dominated by screens, our family embarked on a journey to reshape our approach to screen time. This wasn’t just about restrictions; it was about cultivating a balance that aligns with our shared values and including our teens in the plan. Parenting teenagers requires adaptability. Dictating screen […]

Embracing Neurodiversity: A Personal Journey to Authentic Connections

A Personal Awakening As a speech pathologist in social communication, I had a profound realization that triggered a significant shift in my approach. Despite my genuine intentions, some of the ways I was teaching unintentionally created standards catering to the neuromajority, sidelining the diverse experiences of neurodiverse individuals. Unlearning and Embracing Neurodiversity The path of […]

Embracing Diversity: Nurturing Neurodiversity for Social-Emotional Learning

In the rich tapestry of humanity, diversity shines through like the colors of a vibrant rainbow. Beyond cultural, religious, racial, and orientation differences, there’s another aspect that deserves attention and celebration—neurodiversity. As we become more aware of this beautiful diversity, it’s essential to teach our children to embrace the differences within themselves, their families, and […]

Nurturing Executive Functioning Through Everyday Activities: It’s Not About Using Checklists! An Interview with Sarah Ward

Do you often find yourself repeating instructions to your child, or notice they have difficulty transitioning between activities? Maybe they’re habitually late or disorganized, or they experience overwhelming emotions when faced with routine tasks. These are common signs of challenges with executive functioning (EF). Understanding and developing EF skills can make a significant difference in […]

Fostering Gratitude and Positive Thinking in Your Children and Family

Parenting presents a unique opportunity to nurture emotional intelligence, promote positive relationships, communication, and reduce anxiety in children. It’s been my mission to create and provide resources for parents with actionable ideas to support your child’s emotional growth. Cultivating Gratitude and Positive Thinking: The Connected Family Journal & Positive Pattern Coloring Book Nurturing gratitude and […]

Flexible Thinking to the Rescue for a Safe and Fun Halloween

This Halloween is definitely going to be a tricky proposition. But even though it will certainly be different, it’s still a perfect time to encourage your child’s growth in many ways, especially with the important skills of being FLEXIBLE. Without the usual trick or treating, parties, festivals, or haunted houses, your child (and maybe you […]

Nurturing Emotional Regulation: Practical Tips for Kids and Teens

And learning how to express how you feel, rather than just react, is super difficult. Did you know that understanding and managing emotions is actually a developmental skill? This is why it is often referred to as emotional intelligence (EQ). As a speech therapist and mom, I have often said “use your words” to my […]

Four Ways to Boost Your Child’s Emotional Intelligence During Simple Daily Activities

Emotional intelligence plays a pivotal role in a child’s development, affecting their ability to understand and manage emotions effectively. Particularly challenging for younger kids, emotional intelligence is a skill that, much like other developmental milestones, requires nurturing over time. Discover how you can boost your child’s emotional intelligence through simple daily activities that encourage social-emotional […]