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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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Building Strong Foundations: Insight from an Early Childhood Professional

by Ashley Martin

Rosemarie Lawton is the Director of Professional Development at The Child Care Council of Orange County and longtime GENM advocate. Her company works diligently with families and childcare providers, with their primary purpose being to coordinate, assist, strengthen, and expand child care in Orange County for all children.

The Most Precious Gift We Have Is The Accumulation Of Seconds With Our Children

by Ashley Patek

“Mommy, will you lay with me?” The back of my son’s jammie shirt lay slightly spotted as it caught my silent tears. The most precious gift we have is the accumulation of seconds with our children. And this is what they need us to know.

I'm Too Stressed To Handle My Child's Meltdowns

by Suzanne Tucker

My own emotional capacity is on E, and it makes it super hard to be emotionally available for my child during his big emotions. What do I do?

I'm Too Stressed To Handle My Child's Meltdowns

by Suzanne Tucker

My own emotional capacity is on E, and it makes it super hard to be emotionally available for my child during his big emotions. What do I do?

Children Don't Have Standardized Minds. Let's Quit Testing Them As If They Do.

by Ashley Patek

Our kids who are daydreaming or squirming in their seats or not listening or who show poor impulse control are being told that they are not behaving in ways that conform to the classroom. But perhaps their brain is not built for the standardized classroom. What if school looked like this instead?

3 Successful Alternatives To Yelling For A More Peaceful Home

by Ashley Patek

One of the hardest parts of parenting is not the learning. It is the unlearning. When yelling is your natural impulse, these three tips can help you channel what you are feeling in a healthy, productive way.

Acts Of Service Boosts Emotional Intelligence. Here's How.

by Ashley Patek

Toddlers and teens alike have brains that are going through major biological transformations and family rituals like volunteering can help nurture their social-emotional intelligence. Here are 10 acts of service to do as a family this holiday season.

Unlocking Potential: The Power of Child-Led Play in Artistic Expression

by Ashley Martin

Learn how child-led art and play unlock your child's full potential, boost creativity, and support emotional growth in a fun, pressure-free way.

5 Parenting Hacks For Getting Through A Day With Kids

by Ashley Patek

Looking to make it through the day without yelling, power struggles or the dreaded parenting guilt? Stop what you're doing and check out these 5 simple (and effective) parenting hacks!

Sometimes Our Kids Just Want Us To Listen: 3 Tools For Connected Parenting

by Ashley Patek

These tools are invitations for you to show up to your child’s wants and needs with curiosity instead of immediately throwing down the hammer with a rebuttal. Because maybe they do want that thing they are mentioning, or maybe they are just sharing with you their heart, and their only real ask is that you listen.

School Culture Affects Black Student Achievement

by Selina Armstrong

As students prepare to return to school this fall, there are many things for parents and educators to consider. We are still in the midst of a pandemic and living in an environment where racial disparities are being brought to the forefront where they can no longer be swept under the rug to be ignored, tolerated, or forgotten.

Juggling Big Emotions

by Jessica Zodicoff

As a seven-year-old girl, I remember my grandpa coming over for the holidays and juggling whatever fruit he could find in our kitchen. He taught me to juggle using not lemons, but just three tissues. The fruit was too big for my little-girl hands, but like a set of training wheels, I practiced with those tissues until...

Ask Andrew: Grandparenting

by Andrew Patterson

Andrew answers today's question: How can I, as the grandmother of a diagnosed five-year-old grandson be a solid support to him and his parents? I live in CA and they live in AZ.

Staying Mindful During Teen Tantrums

by Guest Author

Like young children, teens thrive off feeling safe and connected. Here is how you can navigate a teen tantrum.