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Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom: Simple Tools for the New School Year

by Suzanne Tucker

Social emotional learning starts in everyday classroom moments. Explore simple SEL strategies teachers can use to build emotional literacy, support regulation, strengthen relationships, and create a classroom where children feel safe, understood, and ready to learn.

Woman kneeling to comfort a young boy, with illustrated hands exchanging a gray cloud for a red heart in the background

Positive vs. Negative Reinforcement: A Guide for Parents

by Alex Petrou

Learn how positive vs. negative reinforcement influence your parenting style and the ways positive reinforcers can support your child’s development.

Mother comforting her highly sensitive teenage son during an emotional moment, illustrating parental support, empathy, and teen mental health.

Helping Your Highly Sensitive Child Gain Confidence

by Rebecca Eanes

When our children are highly sensitive, rejection and criticism hurt more deeply. They get embarrassed easily and have strong emotional reactions, which can make them the target for bullying. Here are 5 tools to boost your child's confidence.

Woman looking at an old childhood photo of herself, surrounded by illustrated hearts and clouds

Healing From A Childhood You Don't Remember

by Ashley Patek

While we may not remember our childhood with our mind and verbal words, our body keeps the score and stores the information it receives from our formative years, namely which parts of us to grow and which to shrink. These downloads show up as patterns in adulthood and in our parenting. Read more.

Woman with eyes closed and hand on her chest, staying calm, with a flower graphic beside her

9 Mantras I Use When Low On Patience With My Kids

by Ashley Patek

Mantras can change the wiring of our brain and create a new lens to see ourselves, our kids, and the world at large. Here are 9 parenting mantras I use when low on patience with my kids.

of two young girls/ siblings fighting, one pulling hair

End Sibling Rivalry And Bring Peace Into Your Home

by Ashley Patek

Siblings are natural competitors for attachment, bidding for our love and attention. Here's 3 Parenting Do's and Don'ts when it comes to sibling relationships.

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Emotional Education Helps Woman Finds Self-Love After Childhood Accident

by Guest Author

After being in a traumatic accident, I viewed the world differently than every other eleven-year-old. My brain didn’t adapt as well as my body, and I wondered, "What's wrong with me?" Then, I found the one thing that was lacking in my childhood: emotional education. Here's my journey.

Meltdowns Develop Your Child's Brain When Met With Connection; Punishment Doesn't Work

by Ashley Patek

Toddlers are one of the most authentic creatures on the planet, and also, arguably, the most misunderstood. On the surface, we see meltdowns, defiance, and limit testing. But there’s so much more than what meets the eye.

5 Connection-Based Ways To Support Your Child Through Shyness

by Guest Author

Does your child seem slow to warm up or hesitant to jump into social situations? Here are 5 connection-based ways to support them through shyness (without muting their intuition or muddling their self-concept).

A Parent's Guide: Meditate With Toddlers And Teens To Improve Emotional Intelligence And Resilience

by Ashley Patek

Even though today’s kids exhibit elevated levels of restlessness, stress, and anxiety, only 1.6% of children in the U.S. meditate. Here are the benefits of meditation on the developing brain and how parents can practice meditation with kids at every age.

Undone

by Suzanne Tucker

What if I was done? Complete. Leaving me incomplete. Longing to be a work in progress. Round around the edges. Potential yet realized.

5 Things To Do When Your Child Doesn't Want To Go To The Calming Corner

by Ashley Patek

What do you do when your child is so deep into their meltdown that they do not want to go to their calm down space ... or even want you near them? Here is a parent's guide.

a parent calmly kneeling and offering a sturdy, comforting presence to an upset young

When Your Child Says "I Hate You!"

by Guest Author

When your child says “I hate you!” you might find yourself getting defensive or you may feel the urge to assert control over the situation. The key to getting to the root of the challenge is to look beyond the hurtful words to figure out what’s going on for them emotionally. What are they really saying?

Six Ways To Intentionally Raise Kind Children

by Ashley Patek

Research shows that when we shame, blame, and guilt children into kindness, or, quite the opposite, when we dangle carrots (aka external rewards) for caring, children begin to view kindness as a chore rather than a choice. So how do we teach kindness? Read more.

20 Parenting Phrases to Use in a Pinch

by Rebecca Eanes

These tried and true phrases will help you respond to your child in a way that keeps the peace, shows empathy, holds boundaries and brings calm to the situation. Test out a few and use the ones that feel right when you need to.

6 Ways To Deal With A Public Tantrum (Or Prevent Them Altogether)

by Ashley Patek

A public tantrum doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker, but rather a learning moment in the broad scope of a day together. We can let children know with our words and actions that, wherever we are, emotions are safe to feel. Sometimes we can decrease the likelihood of a meltdown. Here are six helpful factors to consider:

Mom kneeling to talk with her little boy, with a heart and speech bubble beside them

Three Words Our Kids Need To Hear

by Ashley Patek

Looking to decrease power struggles, meltdowns, and "defiance"? These are the three words that your child needs to hear.

How to Handle Sibling Rivalry During Quarantine

by Ashley Patek

In a time of social distancing, tension can elevate between siblings. These 7 tips can help to tame sibling rivalry during quarantine.

Re-Parenting Yourself As You Parent Your Child

by Guest Author

Remember, there is a little one wanting to be parented inside of you, too.

Ask Andrew: Co-Parenting

by Guest Author

Andrew answers today's question: My husband is on the spectrum and refuses to seek professional assistance. I suspect that my 4-year-old son is also on the spectrum and isn’t getting the support he needs from my husband. How can I address this without my husband thinking that all I do is tell him what he doesn’t do “right” or “good enough”?

To My Girlfriends, I Will Be Back

by Ashley Patek

To my girlfriends, I know it’s been a while since we had a girls’ night … girls’ dinner … well, girls’ anything.

The Battle Between Positive and Negative Reinforcement

by Traci Esposito

We parents have long searched for a solution when it comes to behavior modification, asking ourselves, which is more effective, positive or negative reinforcement? We have the scoop here.

Quit Pathologizing Children’s Stress

by Ashley Patek

Research has shown that children who feel unsafe and disconnected cannot learn. Why is this and what can we do as parents and educators?

60 Ideas For Summer Family Fun

by Ashley Patek

If you are looking for some simple summer fun to do with your kids to dose up connection, then this FREE printable of 60 summer activities is for you. Try these out and make your own bucket list, too!

parent and toddler playfully laughing together

The Ultimate Guide To Building A Calming Corner And Using Time-Ins At Home

by Ashley Patek

How do you say goodbye to time-outs and introduce time-ins? This is the ultimate guide on the do's and don'ts for building and using a Calming Corner.