Getting some kids to open up and talk can be like pulling teeth. They don’t always have insight into what they’re thinking and feeling and find it hard to express themselves to others. Psychotherapists discovered that using mandalas with kids can help them develop a better understanding of themselves and their experiences. Mandalas are helpful…
Journal writing is a therapeutic technique often used to encourage self-expression through reflective writing. Experts suggest that when you write down your thoughts and feelings, it helps you to work through negative emotions. Additionally, journal writing helps you to be more self-aware and in tune with your feelings. You gain insight into your mood and…
Learning how to identify and express feelings are crucial aspects of children’s social and emotional development. Sometimes we forget that kids experience some of the same feelings that adults do. They feel joy, disappointment, anger, sadness, frustration, fear, and so much more. However, children often don’t have the words to identify and express their feelings. …
After watching Disney’s Inside Out for what seems like the millionth time, we decided to make plastic Easter Egg Inside Out Memory Orbs. The kids are fascinated with the Memory Orbs from the movie so it didn’t take much to convince them to do this activity. In case you’re not familiar with Memory Orbs, they are…
Plastic Easter eggs threaten to take over my house every Easter. Sure these eggs are fun to fill and hide. However, once the kids empty their goodies from the plastic eggs, they become a nuisance. They end up on the floor, under couches, in toy bins, EVERYWHERE! Even when I put them away, I still find…
Mindfulness practice continues to gain popularity as a coping strategy to help children deal with problems ranging from everyday stress to severe trauma. The dictionary defines mindfulness as “a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.” Through mindfulness practice children…
Emotion regulation refers to our ability to control our feelings and not let them get the best of us. Kids who are able to use effective emotion regulation skills tend to have less meltdowns and tantrums. At the end of the day, fewer meltdowns is a win for both kids and caregivers. Therefore, it makes…
This St. Patrick’s Day Feelings Identification Activity is a fun way to get kids to practice identifying and expressing their feelings. Many times we focus on how kids are doing academically and neglect their social and emotional development. We assume that social and emotional skills will come automatically. Unfortunately, identifying and expressing their feelings doesn’t…
We often expect kids to study and pass exams even though no one has taught them how to study. This was true for my own kids. My son was in first grade when he first started taking spelling tests. I would tell him to go study and after twenty minutes, I would give him a practice…
In case you’re not familiar with test anxiety, imagine that you’ve studied and prepared for the big test as much as you possibly could. Now it’s test day. Your teacher hands you the test and as soon as you see it, your stomach tightens. You draw a blank because nothing on the test looks familiar. Your…