Mindful Moments Blog

To the Single Mamas and Papas During the Coronavirus

Mindful Moments Blog

To the Single Mamas and Papas During the Coronavirus

by Ashley Patek on Apr 05 2020
Parenthood is hard, especially during these unique times of social distancing, quarantine, forced homeschooling, wiping down our groceries, etc. To our single parent friends, we see you, we celebrate you, and we have got your back! 
Little girl in her Calming Corner

Mindful Moments Blog

Positive Affirmations are Helping Kids

by Ashley Patek on Mar 26 2020
These printable mantra bracelets are a great way for parents to share comforting and empowering mantras with children as young as age two on up. Because when we feel worthy and loved, we respond as if we are worthy and loved. And when we feel powerless and not enough, we respond as if we are powerless and not enough.
Post gone viral

Mindful Moments Blog

Who Needs a Laugh?

by Ashley Patek on Mar 20 2020
In the face of COVID-19, Generation Mindful spreads some light-hearted humor with a post for parents that went viral.
When Your Child Fears The Coronavirus: 8 Tips for Taming Anxiety

Mindful Moments Blog

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

by Ashley Patek on Mar 05 2020
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.
6 Tips for Using Yoga to Support Social-Emotional Inclusion

Mindful Moments Blog

6 Tips for Using Yoga to Support Social-Emotional Inclusion

by Ashley Patek on Feb 29 2020
Sierra has struggled to cultivate language for how her disability impacts her own social-emotional development and how it impacts her experiences at school. This struggle has been a barrier to Sierra’s ability to create positive relationships with her classmates.  
Teacher using PeaceMakers cards during circle time

Mindful Moments Blog

Teaching Academics and Social-Emotional Skills in the Montessori Classroom

by Ashley Patek on Feb 03 2020
Emily Canibano, a Montessori teacher with a classroom of 16 students ranging in age from 1.2 to 5.5 years, was looking for a way to teach social-emotional skills in her classroom, both in feeling emotions and in the safe expression of them.
Children sharing feelings with SnuggleBuddies during classroom morning meeting

Mindful Moments Blog

Morning Meetings and Connecting a Classroom

by Ashley Patek on Jan 30 2020
A the school counselor shares how her school transformed its classroom culture by using SnuggleBuddies plush toys to teach students about their emotions. 
Self portraits from Bloom360

Mindful Moments Blog

Teaching The Whole Learner: School Spotlight on Bloom360

by Ashley Patek on Jan 27 2020
Bloom360 Learning Community, a nonprofit school in southeastern Wisconsin for Learners ages 5 to 21 with neurodiverse needs, based their entire 2019/20 school year curriculum themes around the PeaceMakers themes of Power, Joy, Balance, Love, Peace, Intuition, and Forgiveness, and the outcomes are inspiring.
Pregnant mama showing her bump in nature

Mindful Moments Blog

From Classroom to Home: One Teacher's Journey to Positive Parenting

by Ashley Patek on Jan 23 2020
After maternity leave, I decide to shift from my role as a teacher of an academic classroom to that of teaching our “one and only.” My full momma heart told me that I would nail it. I mean, how hard could it be to teach one child when I had taught so many?
Waiting

Mindful Moments Blog

Waiting

by Suzanne Tucker on Jan 09 2020
For the mamas out there whose hearts know the sharp sting and then the long deep ache of miscarriage, I see you. I feel your heart and I want you to know that you are not alone. Here is my life's story - our joys, our sadness and, most of all, our waiting.
The Day My Son Told Me Mad Is Bad

Mindful Moments Blog

The Day My Son Told Me "Mad is Bad"

by Ashley Patek on Jan 03 2020
When our children believe that unpleasant emotions are "bad", they become unsafe to feel those emotions. However all emotions are sacred and useful. Here's why. Read more.
Child reading a book in classroom's Calming Corner

Mindful Moments Blog

Preschool Teacher Creates Calming Corner to Teach Students About Emotions

by Ashley Patek on Nov 26 2019
In a nook in the back near the teacher’s desk, a cozy, safe place exists. It is a place to explore feelings. A place to regulate. A place to take a break and just be. Welcome to Emily Brown’s preschool classroom. Emily is a teacher dedicated to helping her students learn about, notice and practice their emotions.
Gift giving

Mindful Moments Blog

6 Meaningful Christmas Gifts

by Ashley Patek on Nov 19 2019
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.
Two children sitting outdoors

Mindful Moments Blog

How One Child Learned To Manage His Emotions By Watching His Sister

by Ashley Patek on Nov 15 2019
With the use of the Time-In-Toolkit and SnuggleBuddies Plush Toys, one child learned how to manage his emotions by modeling his older sister.  
When Partners Disagree: Tools For Parenting On The Same Page

Mindful Moments Blog

When Partners Disagree: Tools For Parenting On The Same Page

by Ashley Patek on Nov 11 2019
Parenting disagreements are not uncommon, especially with so many different parenting ideologies out there. So, how can parents get on the same page?
Mindful Parenting and How It Affects Children

Mindful Moments Blog

Mindful Parenting and How It Affects Children

by Alex Petrou on Nov 01 2019
What is mindful parenting? Learn the benefits and practices of this positive parenting style and how you can integrate it into your child's life.
Ways to Nurture Emotional Intelligence in Children

Mindful Moments Blog

5 Ways To Nurture Emotional Intelligence For Kids

by Ashley Patek on Oct 30 2019
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How can we as adults, parents, grandparents & more, nurture emotional intelligence for kids? 5 ways you can nurture emotional intelligence in children.
What co-regulation looks like

Mindful Moments Blog

What Co-Regulation Looks Like

by Alex Petrou on Oct 30 2019
A young child is so frustrated and overwhelmed that she just hit her big sister. As the adult responsible for managing this moment, how can you navigate this? Enter co-regulation.
When Your Toddler Won't Stop Crying!

Mindful Moments Blog

When Your Toddler Won't Stop Crying!

by Ashley Patek on Oct 30 2019
Why is your toddler crying and what can you do? Here is a parent's guide for making it through, helping your child co-regulate and process her emotions.
Justin Baldoni in the store with is tantruming daughter

Mindful Moments Blog

Two Men and a Tantruming Toddler

by Alex Petrou on Oct 30 2019
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?