Pediatric Mental Health Blog
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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!
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!
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.
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.
The Value of Emotional Literacy
Emotional literacy is an important piece of the holistic development of children. By deliberately modeling and exploring emotional literacy, we prepare kids to flourish through resiliency, empathy, and connection.
How to Talk with Teenagers
Effective communication during adolescence builds mutual trust, understanding, and respect. This kind of communication allows parents to better recognize cues and attend to the needs of their teenager. Learn more about parent-teen communication and checkout our free conversation starters for teens!
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!
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.
Childhood Perfectionism
A perfectionist aims for the ideal version of a pursuit and has disproportionate feelings of disappointment if they fail to reach their goal. Perfectionism can have many roots, but it is generally tied to a person’s perception of their self-worth.
What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy encourages imagination, self-expression, and exploration through specially selected toys and materials. It offers a transformative pathway for children to explore their emotions, navigate challenges, and find healing through the power of play.
SEL Writing Prompts for Kids
Guided by Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) outcomes, our free writing prompts exercise written communication and promote the development of introspection, self-confidence, creativity, problem solving, and emotional regulation.
Counseling Games for Kids
Cooperative games help kids learn the significance of collaboration, integrity, and respect. Through shared objectives and collective problem-solving, kids build interpersonal skills while exercising ethical conduct and resilience. Read on for tips on how to foster positive sportsmanship through a social-emotional learning lens.
Connection Through Conversation
Reciprocal conversation is an active exchange of thoughts, ideas, curiosity, and attention. It’s a valuable skill and we can help cultivate it from a young age through engaged, thoughtful conversation.
Mindfulness Practice for Little Kids
Mindfulness practice offers a guided pathway for children (and adults!) to develop a sense of calm, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. Mindfulness is a holistic life skill that promotes mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Read on to learn about 6 mindfulness techniques for kids!
Art Therapy with Kids: Ideas
Art therapy empowers children to develop coping skills, build self-esteem, and find healing by using creativity as a means to communicate thoughts and emotions that words alone cannot express. Explore our art therapy prompts, ideas, and activities, and check out our recommended materials for art therapy with kids!
Five Kinds of Productive Play
Play contributes to the physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being of children. It enhances motor skills, stimulates creativity, and cultivates social intelligence through interactions with peers. Play also serves as a natural learning platform, helping kids understand the world around them. Learn about five kinds of productive play and explore toys that support each kind.
How to Raise a Resilient Kid
Resilience is a dynamic skill set that empowers kids to adapt, learn, and thrive through life’s journey. By nurturing a growth mindset, parents, educators, clinicians, and caregivers can support self-efficacy, problem-solving skills, and optimism in kids so that they can grow and persevere through setbacks.
Calm-Down Breathing Techniques for Kids
In times of dysregulation, our breath can center us. Intentional breathing is a holistic life skill that promotes mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Read more to learn about different breathing techniques that are great for kids and adults!
Acupressure Tapping for Kids
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) tapping is a gentle, evidence-based method that combines acupressure with positive affirmations to alleviate stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges. Read more about how it works, what it does, and how to do it!
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Explore our simple breakdown of ADHD. By creating an atmosphere that embraces diversity and accommodates different learning styles, we empower children with ADHD to thrive!