Mindful Moments Blog

Trauma-aware teacher

Mindful Moments Blog

The Trauma-Aware Classroom: We All Need Compassion

by Guest Author on Oct 29 2019
I am a teacher. In order to associate with the trauma of my students, I become aware of my own trauma.
Two young boys using boxes for play-based learning

Mindful Moments Blog

Six Benefits of Using Child-Led Learning

by Alex Petrou on Oct 29 2019
Child-led learning. The thought of it can seem downright scary. Here are six benefits of using child-led learning with your young children...
An open letter to you, my toddler: "I get It."

Mindful Moments Blog

An open letter to you, my toddler: "I get It."

by Suzanne Tucker on Sep 14 2019
2
I get it. I get all of it. The screams, the tears, the tantrums. Your bottom lip drops and your eyes brim with emotions. Sometimes you even turn away from me. That one rips my heart in two. Then the sun will peek through and the smiles will come...
SnugglelBuddies Plush Owl and Time-In-Toolkit Poster

Mindful Moments Blog

Creating a Calming Corner for Small Spaces

by Ashley Patek on Aug 26 2019
Calming Corners of all sizes and styles are celebrated because what matters is that you opened the box. Here is how to make a calming space for small spaces.
Juggling Big Emotions

Mindful Moments Blog

Juggling Big Emotions

by Jessica Zodicoff on Aug 20 2019
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...
child behavioral charts

Mindful Moments Blog

Why Using A Behavior Chart Is Ineffective

by Ashley Patek on Aug 14 2019
Before you decide to add to or continue using behavioral management charts, let's take a closer look at the undesirable side-effects. Read more.
two young boys taught their grandma about anger

Mindful Moments Blog

What Two Young Boys Taught Their Grandma About Anger

by Alex Petrou on Mar 02 2019
I gave SnuggleBuddies to my grandsons while they were visiting for Christmas to help them learn about feelings, but what happened next surprised me. You see, that Christmas morning, we had a situation, one that caused my dog to get very, very sick. My dog had gotten into some chocolate candy. My grandson tried to comfort our dog with the things that comfort them. Hank the elf, their SnuggleBuddies Red Bear and Orange Fox, blankets, and a balloon. When I found out that my husband had left the chocolates out where the dog got into them, I was furious. Having to deal with a sick puppy is bad enough, but to make matters worse, I have a rare neuromuscular condition (Myasthenia Gravis) that greatly affects my activity and breathing, and extra activity lands me in bed and on my noninvasive ventilator. I knew from past experience that a dog eating chocolate results in a very ill pooch with lots of cleaning up and a special diet. I wanted to enjoy our visit with the kids and the holidays...but I was angry. I knew my husband did not intend for this to happen, and I did not want to be in a bad mood for the evening while my family was visiting. But I was! That was when my daughter suggested the boys ask NayNay (me) if she wanted to “do her feelings”. They were excited about that and ran to get their SnuggleBuddies to share with me. Everyone listened and supported me as I went through my feelings. I began to feel better, and it dawned on me that I was actually setting an example for my grandsons. I also realized that had my grandsons and their SnuggleBuddies not been there, I wouldn't have talked about or worked through my angry feelings that quickly. I just love those things; they are so cuddly! I ordered myself a Red Bear. And don't tell, but Red Bear has already helped my husband with some of his feelings too. As a grandma, I love Generation Mindful. It makes me feel like I can really add to my grandson's lives in a lasting way. They live 15 hours away, so I don’t see them in person often. But it is so important to me that they know I SEE THEM!!! Sometimes my grandsons call/facetime me to tell me their sad or mad feelings...and I think, I can do this! I can be there for them. Despite any amount of distance or disability, I can listen. _____________ 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.
I love you. I am listening.

Mindful Moments Blog

I Love You. I Am Listening. 

by Alex Petrou on Jan 27 2019
If you are a parent of young children, the big lie is that you are not enough.
emember what it was like to be a little person

Mindful Moments Blog

I Can Be Who I Needed

by Alex Petrou on Jan 05 2019
If you were to think back to who or what you really needed as a kid, what would that be?  
My forgiveness heals

Mindful Moments Blog

My Forgiveness Heals

by Alex Petrou on Dec 01 2018
My forgiveness heals. As we enter the holiday season, being with our extended family, triggers abound! Let's talk about this life-changing mantra, break it down and apply it to our lives playfully and practically. 
I am a team player

Mindful Moments Blog

I Am A Team Player

by Alex Petrou on Nov 17 2018
Are we raising a generation of pansies? The short answer is 110% no. We don't have to be scared of children with big feelings.Big feelings can be a gift.

Mindful Moments Blog

Teaching Emotional Intelligence and College Students as Change-Makers

by Alex Petrou on Nov 13 2018
Dr. Meghan Gillette, a professor in the field of Human Development and Human Studies at Iowa State University, shares the latest research on nurturing emotional intelligence in children ages 5 to 12, how she uses Team-Based Learning and her insights on teaching social and emotional skills to the next generation.
With my ears and my whole body, I listen

Mindful Moments Blog

With My Ears and My Whole Body, I Listen.

by Alex Petrou on Oct 28 2018
Feelings Friday #27: "With my ears and my whole body, I listen." Let's bring this mantra powerfully into our lives and our children's lives as well.
Supportive classroom environments help kids succeed in school and life

Mindful Moments Blog

A Positive Classroom Environment Helps Kids Succeed In School and Life

by Alex Petrou on Oct 21 2018
Students who have stronger relationships with their teachers invest more time in academics, earn better grades, report being more satisfied, and behave in more prosocial ways as they transition from childhood into adolescence.
Sing, sing a song

Mindful Moments Blog

Sing, Sing a Song. Any Song.

by Alex Petrou on Oct 20 2018
Let's SING! Join me and let's see if we can find the fun in the chaos. Together.
ways to calm the body

Mindful Moments Blog

To Calm My Body, I Breathe Deep, Gentle Breaths and Pretend to Blow Out A Candle

by Alex Petrou on Oct 12 2018
To calm my body, I breathe deep, gentle breaths and pretend to blow out a candle. Join me as we talk through the not often talked about facets of resilience and the places we get stopped along the way.
I am a leader

Mindful Moments Blog

I Am A Leader

by Alex Petrou on Sep 28 2018
1
Want to know what I am doing with my hands and WHY and what this cool exercise has to do with leadership? Feelings Friday #23: I am a leader from Generation Mindful on Vimeo. Tune in to this week's Feelings Friday and let's take connection into everyday life with our kids practically and playfully
I trust the world and let love in

Mindful Moments Blog

I Trust The World and Let Love In.

by Alex Petrou on Sep 21 2018
This week's video mantra is a powerful one, all about what happens in our bodies when we feel SAFE and what happens when we help children feel safe in the world as well. Feeling safe...this is where true learning begins.
I show my love, I am a friend

Mindful Moments Blog

I Show My Love, I Am A Friend.

by Alex Petrou on Sep 14 2018
Feelings Friday #21 - I show my love, I am a friend. Today we bust up a big myth holding us back from connecting fully with our kiddos, namely, that if we are friends with our children that we can't have boundaries or discipline them.  xo  Founder, Generation Mindful Generation Mindful creates tools, toys, and programs that nurturing emotional intelligence, connecting the generations playfully. Click here for weekly inspirations.
Enhancing emotional development to treat child depression

Mindful Moments Blog

Enhancing Emotional Development to Treat Child Depression

by Alex Petrou on Sep 13 2018
A recent study shows that focusing on the parent-child relationship and enhancing emotional development may be a powerful and low-risk approach to the treatment of depression.