Shine Your Spotlight!
Have you ever found yourself watching your child or grandchild’s behavior and thinking, “how in the world am I supposed to handle this?” …if so, you are not alone! With so much advice floating around, many caregivers find themselves facing decision paralysis- fearful of making a wrong move and mishandling a situation. The good news is that there is a simple, research-based mindset shift that can help to guide us in the right direction: Shine Your Spotlight!
Special Time!
Tantrums, hitting, and whining are some of the most common issues that parents share with me in my role as an early childhood psychologist. These challenging behaviors often force us to dig deep into an already-depleted well of patience, leading to an exasperating cycle of “let’s see if this works!” over and over again. What if I told you that there is a miraculous way to greatly reduce these behaviors and shift the tone in your home, for only 10 minutes a day? Enter: Special Time!
Ready, Set…Summer!
Congratulations on another school year well done! As we transition to the fun- and unpredictability- of the summer months, here are some tips to set your family up for success. We have finally reached the time of year that many of our children have been waiting for since last August- school is officially out for summer. While those words can bring to mind wonderful memories and excitement for the months to come, many families find it difficult to find the right balance of plans and free time to keep everyone on track.
Summer Sleep
As summer progresses with exciting events like vacations, camp, and time with family, schedules can become nearly nonexistent. While flexibility is part of the fun of this time of year, our children’s sleep can suffer from this lack of routine. Keep reading for simple tips on how to make the most out of increased daylight hours and summer fun while maintaining good sleep hygiene. After all, quality sleep is no less important over the summer than during the school year!
Back to School!
While starting another school year can be exciting, the transition comes with lots of feelings for our little ones. These big emotions can be daunting and even scary for adults to manage. We want to know how to respond in a way that helps them overcome those back-to-school jitters and enter the year feeling confident and enthusiastic. Read on for some simple tips to make this happen!
Trick or Treat!
As hard as it is to imagine with temperatures still so high, the holiday season is upon us! Starting with Halloween this month, we are entering a truly wonderful season with our little ones. You have probably already filtered many costume requests, settled on a winner, and are working to get your trick-or-treating plans in order. Follow along for some tips to make sure your experience is safe and fun for the whole family.
Giving Thanks!
As we enter the holiday season, parents often ask how to foster gratitude in their children. We want our children to be appreciative and not take things for granted, as learning to be grateful can improve their relationships, ability to empathize, and overall happiness. However, this can be easier said than done. With Thanksgiving around the corner, read on for some simple strategies to help your family reflect on what they are most grateful for.