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 […]

How to Activate Your Child’s ADHD Brain for Distance Learning

As seasons change and children transition from leisurely days to the structured routines of school, it’s essential to recognize the impact this shift can have on their executive functions (EFs). These cognitive skills, responsible for tasks like planning and organization, play a crucial role in their social-emotional development and overall well-being. This blog delves into […]

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 […]

Nurturing a Growth Mindset in Children: Boosting Social-Emotional Learning and Parenting

It’s understandable that children might be facing challenges in staying motivated and engaged in their learning journey. The typical excitement and activities associated with the academic year’s beginning are no longer tied to a specific time frame. As parents and educators, our task is to inspire children’s curiosity, foster intrinsic motivation, and encourage them to […]

Three Ways to Get Your Kids Back in the Groove of School and Homework

As a parent, I am eternally grateful to the teachers that educate my kids. School is one of society’s great inventions. But whether it’s the start of the year, going back after a holiday break, or going back after something as short as a weekend – kids often complain about school. My kids are still […]

The Three Es of Learning

With everything going on today in the world, the transition back to school this year is bringing on more stress than usual. Whether you’re going to have school in person or online, nothing feels quite “right” and many children, parents, and educators are overwhelmed. With little control over the situation, how do we make sure […]

Navigating Back-to-School Transitions: A Guide to Enhancing Your Child’s Social-Emotional Well-being

Strategic Planning and Effective Communication A successful transition hinges on open communication and thoughtful planning: Inclusive Decision-Making: Involve your child in discussions about the upcoming school transition. Visualize Daily Routines: Develop a visual schedule that caters to your child’s age and fosters an understanding of daily routines. Storytelling with Images: Craft a narrative using images […]

Four Tips to Get Your Kids to Do Their Chores

As a speech pathologist and school psychologists, we often hear concerns from parents about their children’s social, emotional, and/or executive functioning skills. Inevitably, these conversations turn to the challenges their children have with starting and completing daily chores and following through with their responsibilities. This post is a guide to help parents to better understand […]

Using Improv to Build Social Communication and Connection

“Play is the answer to the question, ‘how does anything new ever come about’?” ~Jean Piaget Maja Watkins, author of The Brain’s Playground: Using Improv Games To Teach Social and Emotional Learning/Co-Founder of Zip Zap Zop Enrichment, says that using simple improv games can help parents to become more playful with their kids while building relationship […]