Pediatric Mental Health Blog

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How to Manage Jealousy
Jealousy, Counseling, School Counselors, Child Therapy, Mental Health, Parents, Worksheet, Writing Prompts Katherine Milani Jealousy, Counseling, School Counselors, Child Therapy, Mental Health, Parents, Worksheet, Writing Prompts Katherine Milani

How to Manage Jealousy

By encouraging open conversations about why jealousy happens, we can help children develop empathy for themselves and others. Practicing gratitude, focusing on personal strengths, and learning to celebrate the successes of others can turn jealousy into an opportunity for growth.

Read on for a free printable worksheet about jealousy!

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8 Mindfulness Worksheets for Kids
Activities, Child Therapy, Coping Skills, Counseling, Early Childhood Education, Behavior Management, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Therapeutic Activities, School Counselors, Parents, Psychotherapy Katherine Milani Activities, Child Therapy, Coping Skills, Counseling, Early Childhood Education, Behavior Management, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Therapeutic Activities, School Counselors, Parents, Psychotherapy Katherine Milani

8 Mindfulness Worksheets for Kids

Mindfulness practice offers a guided pathway for children to develop a sense of calm, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. Our collection of free printable PDF mindfulness worksheets provides a variety of engaging activities designed to help kids explore presence of mind, manage stress, and cultivate emotional well-being.

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Art Therapy: Emotion Storms
Activities, Adolescent, Anxiety, Art Therapy, Child Therapy, Coping Skills, Counseling, Family Therapy, Grief, Early Childhood Education, Mental Health, Mindfulness, School Counselors, Therapeutic Activities, Parents, Therapists, Psychotherapy Katherine Milani Activities, Adolescent, Anxiety, Art Therapy, Child Therapy, Coping Skills, Counseling, Family Therapy, Grief, Early Childhood Education, Mental Health, Mindfulness, School Counselors, Therapeutic Activities, Parents, Therapists, Psychotherapy Katherine Milani

Art Therapy: Emotion Storms

Looking at a storm through a window allows us to see what’s happening while staying safe inside. In a similar way, this therapeutic art activity gives kids an opportunity to conceptualize, visualize, and explore different emotions from a safe distance. Read on to learn how to do it!

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Family Dinner Guide
Adolescent, Behavior Management, Child Therapy, Counseling, Discipline, Mental Health, Family Dinner, Family Therapy, Parents Katherine Milani Adolescent, Behavior Management, Child Therapy, Counseling, Discipline, Mental Health, Family Dinner, Family Therapy, Parents Katherine Milani

Family Dinner Guide

Gathering for family meals has documented benefits for the mental and physical health of children. Meal planning is out of our scope of practice, but we do have tips and resources to help make family dinners feel more meaningful and connected.

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Best Fidget Toys for Kids
ADHD, Adolescent, Anxiety, ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Behavior Management, Child Therapy, Play Based Learning, Coping Skills, Counseling, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Mental Health, School Counselors, Therapeutic Activities, Therapists, Psychotherapy, Fidget Toys, Sensory Processing Disorders, Classroom Accommodations Katherine Milani ADHD, Adolescent, Anxiety, ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Behavior Management, Child Therapy, Play Based Learning, Coping Skills, Counseling, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Mental Health, School Counselors, Therapeutic Activities, Therapists, Psychotherapy, Fidget Toys, Sensory Processing Disorders, Classroom Accommodations Katherine Milani

Best Fidget Toys for Kids

Fidget toys can relieve stress, reduce anxiety, and channel excess energy to support productive habits. Fidget toys are particularly beneficial for children (or adults!) with neurodivergent brains (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorders, etc.) because they provide a physical sensory outlet for suppressed energy.

We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite fidget toys that help kids engage in therapy (also great for long commutes, waiting rooms, or quiet time)!

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Children’s Books About Grief
Anxiety, Play Based Learning, Bibliotherapy, Narrative Therapy, Grief, Loss, Parents, Teachers, School Counselors, Counseling, Child Therapy, Early Childhood Education, Psychotherapy Katherine Milani Anxiety, Play Based Learning, Bibliotherapy, Narrative Therapy, Grief, Loss, Parents, Teachers, School Counselors, Counseling, Child Therapy, Early Childhood Education, Psychotherapy Katherine Milani

Children’s Books About Grief

Grief and loss are complex emotions that children (and adults) often struggle to comprehend and express. Picture books can serve as gentle and compassionate guides to help kids navigate the emotions and challenges associated with losing a loved one or going through a hardship. Read on for our recommended children’s books about grief.

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Child Therapist Tips: Building Rapport
Mental Health, Behavior Management, School Counselors, Counseling, Therapeutic Activities, Child Therapy, Therapists, Social Workers, Parents Katherine Milani Mental Health, Behavior Management, School Counselors, Counseling, Therapeutic Activities, Child Therapy, Therapists, Social Workers, Parents Katherine Milani

Child Therapist Tips: Building Rapport

Rapport is the foundation of effective therapy because it represents trust, respect, and positive regard. When a therapist thoughtfully establishes this connection, a child is more likely to open up, express emotions, and securely engage in the therapeutic process to facilitate healing and growth.

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Therapeutic Activities with Play-Doh
Activities, Art Therapy, Behavior Management, Play Based Learning, Child Therapy, Coping Skills, Early Childhood Education, Mindfulness, Sensory Processing Disorders, Play Therapy, Preschool, School Counselors, Therapeutic Activities, Science Experiement Katherine Milani Activities, Art Therapy, Behavior Management, Play Based Learning, Child Therapy, Coping Skills, Early Childhood Education, Mindfulness, Sensory Processing Disorders, Play Therapy, Preschool, School Counselors, Therapeutic Activities, Science Experiement Katherine Milani

Therapeutic Activities with Play-Doh

Modeling dough (like Play-Doh) can be used as a tactile sensory tool for exploring therapeutic concepts with kids. Read on for 5 of our favorite dough activities to help kids relieve stress, exercise emotional literacy, practice coping skills, and resolve conflict.

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Behavior Management Tools & Tips
Child Therapy, Coping Skills, Discipline, Early Childhood Education, Reinforcement, Parenting Styles, Behavior Management, Parents, Therapists Katherine Milani Child Therapy, Coping Skills, Discipline, Early Childhood Education, Reinforcement, Parenting Styles, Behavior Management, Parents, Therapists Katherine Milani

Behavior Management Tools & Tips

Every kid is different and we have to tailor behavior management plans to their individual needs and abilities. Read on for practical guidelines for a balanced approach to behavior management.

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10 Hands-On Therapeutic Activities for Kids
Activities, Anxiety, Play Based Learning, Child Therapy, Early Childhood Education, Education, Coping Skills, Infographics, Mindfulness, Science Experiement, Play Therapy, Therapeutic Activities Katherine Milani Activities, Anxiety, Play Based Learning, Child Therapy, Early Childhood Education, Education, Coping Skills, Infographics, Mindfulness, Science Experiement, Play Therapy, Therapeutic Activities Katherine Milani

10 Hands-On Therapeutic Activities for Kids

From a therapeutic perspective, interventions that utilize hand-on learning techniques can lead to increased interest, motivation, engagement, and progress! Here we have collected 10 of our favorite hands-on therapeutic activities to help kids develop emotional literacy, build self-esteem, practice coping skills, manage behavior, and recognize values.

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Sensory Processing Disorders
ADHD, Anxiety, Child Therapy, Early Childhood Education, Education, Coping Skills, Infographics, School Counselors, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD, Sensory Processing Disorders, Neurodevelopmental Disorders Katherine Milani ADHD, Anxiety, Child Therapy, Early Childhood Education, Education, Coping Skills, Infographics, School Counselors, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD, Sensory Processing Disorders, Neurodevelopmental Disorders Katherine Milani

Sensory Processing Disorders

Children with sensory issues may struggle with textures, loud noises, crowds, food preferences, etc. These sensitivities are often seen in children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but they can also appear in otherwise typically developing children. Understanding and supporting a child’s unique sensory needs can help them feel more comfortable and engaged in their environment. Read on for more information and free printable resources.

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Alphabet Feelings
Activities, Child Therapy, Coping Skills, Early Childhood Education, Education, School Counselors Katherine Milani Activities, Child Therapy, Coping Skills, Early Childhood Education, Education, School Counselors Katherine Milani

Alphabet Feelings

"Alphabet Feelings" provide a framework for adults to help kids to systematically explore different emotions, scenarios, and coping skills. Print this FREE resource and check out our other recommended ways to exercise social and emotional learning.

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Bibliotherapy for Anxiety
Anxiety, Child Therapy, Parents, Therapists, Play Therapy, Play Based Learning, School Counselors, Preschool, Bibliotherapy Katherine Milani Anxiety, Child Therapy, Parents, Therapists, Play Therapy, Play Based Learning, School Counselors, Preschool, Bibliotherapy Katherine Milani

Bibliotherapy for Anxiety

One of the best ways to tame childhood anxiety is to demystify it. Explore the feelings, triggers, behaviors, and outcomes of anxiety through targeted story books and conversation, or bibliotherapy. Learn more and explore our recommended children’s books about anxiety.

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Early Childhood Education Philosophies
School Counselors, Parents, Teachers, Preschool, Early Childhood Education, Education, Child Therapy, Play Based Learning, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, Forest Preschool Katherine Milani School Counselors, Parents, Teachers, Preschool, Early Childhood Education, Education, Child Therapy, Play Based Learning, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, Forest Preschool Katherine Milani

Early Childhood Education Philosophies

There are lot’s of ways to “do” early childhood education. Learn about 5 common preschool philosophies: Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, Play-Based, and Forest. The best predictor of social and academic achievement is confidence, so regardless of philosophy-specific approaches to academics, find a program where your kid will be comfortable and supported!

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3 Empathy-Building Activities for Kids
Parents, Teachers, School Counselors, Therapists, Child Therapy Katherine Milani Parents, Teachers, School Counselors, Therapists, Child Therapy Katherine Milani

3 Empathy-Building Activities for Kids

By regularly practicing empathy, children learn to recognize unique perspectives and exercise compassion for themselves and others. Empathy allows kids to navigate difficult situations, support others (and themselves) in need, and recover from setbacks. Empathy is a key component of resilience and a growth mindset—learn how to nurture it through 3 simple activities!

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Parenting Styles: Explained
Parents, Child Therapy, Therapists, Parenting Styles, Discipline, Infographics Katherine Milani Parents, Child Therapy, Therapists, Parenting Styles, Discipline, Infographics Katherine Milani

Parenting Styles: Explained

Parenting styles are often categorized into four main types based on the work of psychologist Diana Baumrind: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and disengaged. These styles reflect different approaches to parenting and have varying impacts on a child's development. Read on to learn about the different styles and print our free Parenting Styles Infographic.

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Oobleck and Transformative Nature
School Counselors, Child Therapy, Therapists, Play Therapy, Science Experiement, Play Based Learning, Teachers, Activities Katherine Milani School Counselors, Child Therapy, Therapists, Play Therapy, Science Experiement, Play Based Learning, Teachers, Activities Katherine Milani

Oobleck and Transformative Nature

Oobleck is a fun and easy demonstration of a non-Newtonian fluid. Non-Newtonian fluids are kind of like us—their behavior is variable depending on stress! This hands-on sensorial experiment can help kids understand that stress (anxiety, frustration, disappointment, failure, anger) can change our behavior.

Read on to learn how to make Oobleck and how to talk to kids about transformative nature.

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Reinforcement: Positive & Negative
Parents, Teachers, School Counselors, Child Therapy, Therapists, Reinforcement Katherine Milani Parents, Teachers, School Counselors, Child Therapy, Therapists, Reinforcement Katherine Milani

Reinforcement: Positive & Negative

Both positive and negative reinforcement can be effective ways to shape and encourage favorable behavior, but understanding how to use reinforcement to support healthy growth and development is key! Read on to learn about what reinforcement is, common misconceptions about reinforcement, and how to use reinforcement at home or in the classroom!

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Quiet Coping Skills
Child Therapy, Therapists, School Counselors, Teachers, Parents, Play Therapy, Mindfulness, Infographics, Coping Skills Katherine Milani Child Therapy, Therapists, School Counselors, Teachers, Parents, Play Therapy, Mindfulness, Infographics, Coping Skills Katherine Milani

Quiet Coping Skills

Quiet Coping Skills are subtle but effective ways to privately regulate emotions without attracting scrutiny from others. These techniques aim to interrupt overwhelming feelings by focusing on specific physical tasks and simple mantras.

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