3 Ways to Make Social Emotional Learning “Stick” at Home

https://youtu.be/jz4W55LAbNo Are you a school psychologist wondering how to support your students and families with social emotional learning (SEL) at home? In this Coffee Break School Psychology episode, I interview Elizabeth Sautter of Make Social Learning Stick with some fresh and fun ideas to teach:    -Social Communication  -Emotional Self-Regulation  -Executive Functioning

Navigating Transitions: A Guide to Successful & Predictable Routines for Your Child

The world can be a bewildering place, especially for children who thrive on sameness or have unique learning needs. Transitions, big or small, can pose significant challenges, triggering reactions such as resistance, avoidance, or meltdowns, particularly for those who hyper-focus or struggle with undesired tasks. Understanding the Executive Functioning Challenge: Children with unique executive functioning […]

How Parents Can Emphasize Self-Care as a Need, Not a Want

The chaos of parenthood can be overwhelming, and self-care is, obviously one of the biggest, fastest and cheapest solutions. Which is exactly what society (and the research) is always telling us, right? There’s no shortage of articles and influencers telling us how to do it, and it can become easy to feel like we’re doing […]

Teaching Neurodiverent Children Emotional IQ Through Playful Connection

The best time to teach a skill isn’t when we are requiring it of our child, but rather through playful connection moments.   Play is like a bridge between a child’s world and an adult’s world.   When we jump in and join their play on their terms, our worlds mesh and our children are […]

Supporting Challenging Behavior at Home During COVID-19: An Interview with Ross Greene

With nationwide school closures in effect, many parents are trying to keep it all together at home managing their own work, their finances, and their own stress. All the while, parents are now also in the position of monitoring homeschooling, managing their children’s big feelings, and most likely, some challenging behaviors. In our Make Social […]

Nurturing Empathy in Children: The Power of One Simple Question

As a parent, if there’s one trait you’d wish to instill in your children, it’s likely compassion and empathy. Imagine a world where the next generation is not just aware of others but also deeply empathetic—what a beautiful place that would be! While some children naturally exhibit these qualities, others may need a little guidance. […]

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 […]

Helping Your Child Build a Growth Mindset

Our mindset shapes our worldview, influencing our ability to think positively and achieve our goals. Yet, not all mindsets are equal. How we perceive ourselves and our abilities impacts outcomes and achievements, particularly in our willingness to embrace new challenges and develop skills. Understanding Mindsets: Fixed vs. Growth Children often fall into a fixed mindset, […]

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 […]