Social Stories
Social Stories are an excellent tool to help kids prepare, understand and practice new situations or events that they may be concerned about. Social Stories were first introduced by Carol Gray in 1991 and are often used with children who have autism. That being said, Social Stories are widely used with all children to prepare them for upcoming new, unknown or challenging events or activities, e.g. beginning school or starting at a new school, going to the dentist, going for a covid injection, going on camp, etc. Social Stories give children time to go over what they might expect to...
Social Stories
Social Stories are an excellent tool to help kids prepare, understand and practice new situations or events that they may be concerned about. Social Stories were first introduced by Carol Gray in 1991 and are often used with children who have autism. That being said, Social Stories are widely used with all children to prepare them for upcoming new, unknown or challenging events or activities, e.g. beginning school or starting at a new school, going to the dentist, going for a covid injection, going on camp, etc. Social Stories give children time to go over what they might expect to...
5 Points to Consider: Helping Kids Return to School post COVID Isolation
As kids begin returning to school, many may be feeling anxious about leaving their carers, going outside where ‘germs’ may be lurking, reuniting with friends, and even wondering if friendship groups will still exist. Some kids may be super happy about going back to school and yet, in time, the return may not live up to their expectations. Once in the classroom, some kids will find it hard to concentrate on ‘academic’ studies and may find it hard to focus on day-to-day learning of maths and spelling, for example. Times are turbulent for us and they are turbulent for kids....
5 Points to Consider: Helping Kids Return to School post COVID Isolation
As kids begin returning to school, many may be feeling anxious about leaving their carers, going outside where ‘germs’ may be lurking, reuniting with friends, and even wondering if friendship groups will still exist. Some kids may be super happy about going back to school and yet, in time, the return may not live up to their expectations. Once in the classroom, some kids will find it hard to concentrate on ‘academic’ studies and may find it hard to focus on day-to-day learning of maths and spelling, for example. Times are turbulent for us and they are turbulent for kids....
12 tips for parents to help an anxious child
Here are a few ideas that you can use to help your child overcome anxiety. You don’t have to try them in any particular order. Children may respond differently to the different tasks, so be guided by their reactions as to which is most beneficial to them at the time. Please note: this is not an exhaustive list of things you can do — if you are concerned about your child’s level of anxiety, make sure to seek advice from a mental health professional. Explain what anxiety is to help the child recognise it and understand what is happening....
12 tips for parents to help an anxious child
Here are a few ideas that you can use to help your child overcome anxiety. You don’t have to try them in any particular order. Children may respond differently to the different tasks, so be guided by their reactions as to which is most beneficial to them at the time. Please note: this is not an exhaustive list of things you can do — if you are concerned about your child’s level of anxiety, make sure to seek advice from a mental health professional. Explain what anxiety is to help the child recognise it and understand what is happening....
10 Top Tips to Empower Kids
As parents we want our kids to grow up confident, with an amazing sense of self-worth, a whole lot of resilience and respect for others and the world around them. As adults, we know persistence and tenacity are important traits when the going becomes tough. Children are a blank slate when they are born. It is a scary thought, but in the early years, children will become what adults tell them they are. I have seen this both as an educator and a mother. The child who is told they are stupid and worthless will believe that is what they...
10 Top Tips to Empower Kids
As parents we want our kids to grow up confident, with an amazing sense of self-worth, a whole lot of resilience and respect for others and the world around them. As adults, we know persistence and tenacity are important traits when the going becomes tough. Children are a blank slate when they are born. It is a scary thought, but in the early years, children will become what adults tell them they are. I have seen this both as an educator and a mother. The child who is told they are stupid and worthless will believe that is what they...
Mindful, Resilient and Focused Learners
As a mother of three teenage daughters and an experienced elementary school teacher, I am deeply concerned about our kids. Let me explain. Children today live in a world filled with technology — ipad interaction from birth, social media from pre-teens and access to everything and anything on the Internet from a very young age. Don’t get me wrong, as a teacher I know technology can be an amazing tool for learning. Extraordinary really. What does deeply trouble me, is the negative aspect of child/learner interaction with technology. I have come back to teaching after four years away. What I...
Mindful, Resilient and Focused Learners
As a mother of three teenage daughters and an experienced elementary school teacher, I am deeply concerned about our kids. Let me explain. Children today live in a world filled with technology — ipad interaction from birth, social media from pre-teens and access to everything and anything on the Internet from a very young age. Don’t get me wrong, as a teacher I know technology can be an amazing tool for learning. Extraordinary really. What does deeply trouble me, is the negative aspect of child/learner interaction with technology. I have come back to teaching after four years away. What I...
Coming Out of Our Comfort Zone
As I find myself, and the children’s book I have written, more and more in the media, I find I am well and truly out of my comfort zone. I am by no means media savvy. Prior to the book’s publication, I have never spoken on the radio (well, once on talkback and I became so nervous I hung up) or been on TV. I am just your ordinary, everyday mother of three and primary school teacher. So when asked to talk on radio or television my nerves really start to kick in, and I am well and truly out...
Coming Out of Our Comfort Zone
As I find myself, and the children’s book I have written, more and more in the media, I find I am well and truly out of my comfort zone. I am by no means media savvy. Prior to the book’s publication, I have never spoken on the radio (well, once on talkback and I became so nervous I hung up) or been on TV. I am just your ordinary, everyday mother of three and primary school teacher. So when asked to talk on radio or television my nerves really start to kick in, and I am well and truly out...
Tips to Help Children Stay Calm
At this time of year with the transition from holidays to returning to school, it's no surprise that we typically see some big emotions from the children in our lives – it can be intense for everyone, including the adults! Here are some tips to help with the overwhelm and assist children with staying calm amongst the chaos (keeping in mind that every child is different): 1. Quiet time - carve out some time each day for your child to have some screen-free time to themselves. Perhaps they have a favourite space - a chair to sink into or...
Tips to Help Children Stay Calm
At this time of year with the transition from holidays to returning to school, it's no surprise that we typically see some big emotions from the children in our lives – it can be intense for everyone, including the adults! Here are some tips to help with the overwhelm and assist children with staying calm amongst the chaos (keeping in mind that every child is different): 1. Quiet time - carve out some time each day for your child to have some screen-free time to themselves. Perhaps they have a favourite space - a chair to sink into or...