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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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School After COVID: What Parents Are Saying

by Ashley Patek

Last March, school districts across the country closed due to COVID, and more than 55 million children were sent home to finish their school year.

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.

When Your Child Fears The Coronavirus: 8 Tips for Taming Anxiety

by Ashley Patek

As a parent, what do you do when your child has fears that feel out of their control - things like viral outbreaks and global warming? Learn 8 tips for taming fears and anxieties through connection.

St. Louis Mom’s Alternative To Timeouts Turns Into Multi-Million Dollar Business

by Ashley Patek

Parenting during a pandemic has its challenges, but there’s something that can help those with younger children thanks to a St. Louis mom.

Helping Traumatized Children Learn – Trauma-Informed Schools Act of 2019

by Ashley Patek

The Trauma-Informed Schools Act of 2019 helps to define trauma-informed practices within schools with goals to decrease school-to-prison pipeline and create a safe learning environment.

Raising Awake Children in the Age of Black Lives Matter

by Ashley Patek

Our country is standing at a pivoting point. #BlackLivesMatter is the anthem and our nation is singing in the face of injustice. For all lives to matter, black lives must matter.

Amateur Parenting: How a Card Game Transformed My Family in a Matter of Minutes

by Alex Petrou

When I decided to back the Generation Mindful Kickstarter campaign for PeaceMakers, I had no idea that this choice would change the course of my family in an instant. This might sound like hyperbole, but I’m being completely serious. This card game has[...] Read More _____________ Generation Mindful creates tools, toys, and programs that nurture emotional intelligence through play and positive discipline. Join us and receive joy in your inbox each week.

Sesame Street Speaks Up Against Racism

by Ashley Patek

Sesame Street leads the pack on educating children about inclusion, social issues, and kindness, and now, with their newest special, “The Power of We,” they will teach children how to stand up against racism.

Homeless Families In The Age Of The Coronavirus

by Ashley Patek

Read about how the coronavirus is affecting the homeless population and what we can do to help.

Two Men and a Tantruming Toddler

by Alex Petrou

Kids can break into full-on tantrums at the drop of a hat, and nearly every parent has been where actor Justin Baldoni found himself on Father's Day. How can we release fear of judgement and be with our tantruming toddler during their time of need?

15 Ways To Make This Mother’s Day A Day To Remember

by Ashley Patek

With families staying home due to social distancing, we created a list of 15 unique ways to bring connection to this year's Mother's Day.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: A Card Game to Boost Your Child's Emotional Intelligence

by Alex Petrou

When I coerced my family to play a new card game designed to nurture our empathy, the first question was: How do you win? “Oh my god, it’s not that kind of game,” I said. We’re a competitive bunch. Let’s just say I’ve been uninvited from some family game[...] Read More _____________ Generation Mindful creates tools, toys, and programs that nurture emotional intelligence through play and positive discipline. Join us and receive joy in your inbox each week.

St. Louis Magazine: St. Louis Mom Launches New Parenting Tool After Raising $7K on Kickstarter

by Alex Petrou

When my son first saw the deck of colorful PeaceMakers cards lying on the counter, he smiled and asked, “What are THESE, Mama?”. He dove right in, mixing them up and picking ones for me to read. He’s only four years old, but he immediately took action[...] Read More ____________ Generation Mindful creates tools, toys, and programs that nurture emotional intelligence through play and positive discipline. Join us and receive joy in your inbox each week.

School to Prison Pipeline: New Bill to Diminish Willful Defiance Suspensions

by Ashley Patek

With efforts to keep children in school and out of the school-to-prison pipeline, teachers and administrators within California school districts will no longer be able to suspend elementary and middle school students for willful defiance, as part of a Senate Bill signed by Gov. Newsom.

Fifth Grader Creates Kindness Closet For Fellow Students In Need

by Ashley Patek

Ten-year-old Andi Musser created a Kindness Closet, a place students from families with limited incomes or those simply in need of essentials can visit during the school day to "shop" for new or gently worn garments.

8-Year-Old Cancer Survivor Breaks Girl Scout Cookie Record Selling 32,484 Boxes

by Ashley Patek

8-yeayr-old Lilly Bumpus broke the national record for most Girl Scout boxes sold in one season with 32,484 boxes, including 5,000 donation boxes that will go to fellow childhood cancer warriors in the hospitals, to help feed the homeless, and to deployed troops.

Philly Voice: Mindfulness Card Games: Nurturing Compassion and Peace in Our Families

by Guest Author

The table is set and food prepared. Children play nearby; it’s joyously noisy after a busy day of adventuring. My sister and her girls are in town for a week. I treasure every moment as we connect, explore and share stories. "Dinner is ready," I announce[...] Read More _____________ Generation Mindful creates tools, toys, and programs that nurture emotional intelligence through play and positive discipline. Join us and receive joy in your inbox each week.

6 Meaningful Christmas Gifts

by Ashley Patek

Rather than storing unwanted toys in the closet, this year give the children on your list meaningful memories instead. Here are six connection-based gift ideas for ages two and up that we love for the holidays.

female nurse with aesthetic moder art style

National Nurses Day: Celebrating A Work Of Heart

by Ashley Patek

National Nurses Day is celebrated annually on May 6th, providing an opportunity to thank nurses for the contributions they offer daily to serve the health and well-being of others, and to educate the public about the important role nurses play in our lives.

Social Distancing Impact on Children

by Ashley Patek

We share parents' top concerns and frustrations about their children’s behaviors during this time of staying home, and tools for navigating regression and other stress responses.