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Showing Up for Trans Kids Creates Equitable and Inclusive Communities for All Kids – Ideas and Resources for Parents and Caregivers
Read More: Showing Up for Trans Kids Creates Equitable and Inclusive Communities for All Kids – Ideas and Resources for Parents and CaregiversWhether you have a trans child in your own family or want to support trans kids in your community, we must first educate ourselves and work through our own biases. If you’re parenting or in community with a trans child, your support could be a protective buffer for their mental health and development. If you’ve ever been stumped about how to answer your child’s questions about gender expression, pronouns, transitioning, or how to be an ally to trans and non-binary young people in your community, you are not alone. Society is rapidly changing, and progress has been fraught with political…
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Teaching and Modeling Self-Regulation Skills in the Classroom
Read More: Teaching and Modeling Self-Regulation Skills in the ClassroomWhen children who have experienced trauma come ot school, they may be unable to control their emotional responses and act out in physical ways when they are upset. Through recent brain science research, we understand the physiology of strong emotion and have discovered that both adults and children benefit when they learn self-regulation skills. Self-regulation is the ability to recognize, manage and modulate one’s own emotions and emotional responses and behaviors. This set of skills may be the most important tools your students learn. We know that our classrooms run more smoothly when our students are regulated and have the…
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Start Strong and Set the Tone: Build Routines that Boost Learning and Connection
Read More: Start Strong and Set the Tone: Build Routines that Boost Learning and ConnectionThe shift from summer break to a new school year brings fresh energy and new opportunities! The beginning of the year is the perfect time to help students find their rhythm. When you build consistent routines and set clear expectations from day one you’ll begin to create a learning environment that feels safe, connected, and ready for growth. Explore these resources and ideas to inspire and equip you as you guide students into a successful school year. Start with Your Own Routines Strong classroom routines start with you. Creating reliable personal routines will help you begin each day grounded, calm and…
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Five Ways to Encourage Student Voice and Share Power in the Classroom
Read More: Five Ways to Encourage Student Voice and Share Power in the ClassroomAs educators, it’s natural to hold onto some control in our classrooms. And, sharing that power with students opens up so many possibilities. By doing so, we not only strengthen their sense of belonging but also create a more positive and equitable classroom environment. When we allow students more ownership, we open the door to authentic relationships and discover greater joy in teaching. Valuing student voice, choice, and agency helps to build a more cohesive school community. By providing students with opportunities to showcase their unique gifts, talents, and abilities, studies show that we also foster leadership skills and boost…
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8 Ways to Start the New School Year on a Positive Note
Read More: 8 Ways to Start the New School Year on a Positive NoteHere in the Pacific Northwest many schools start right after Labor Day. The end of summer always brings a mix of emotions. These can include anticipation, curiosity, and maybe even maybe even a touch of dread. As we transition from summer days to structured school days, here are eight ways to foster connection and establish routines to start the school year on a positive note. Starting the school year can be an exciting and positive experience. While transitions can be stress-inducing, prioritizing connection, routines, and helping your child make their own choices will support a smoother and more positive transition for your…
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Celebrate the End of the School Year with Your Kids
Read More: Celebrate the End of the School Year with Your KidsIt’s time to celebrate ten months of packing lunches, checking homework, and ensuring your kids get out the door before the school bus or carpool leaves! In our fast-paced culture, it can be easy to forget to commemorate big moments and transitions, such as the transition from the end of the school year to summer break. Creating a ritual around the end of the school year and the start of the school year is an excellent way to build routine into your child’s educational journey. Here are a few easy ways to celebrate. Make a Top 10 List With so…
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Co-Regulation Supports Parents and Their Children
Read More: Co-Regulation Supports Parents and Their ChildrenHave you ever been in a long line at the grocery store with your toddler on the brink of a tantrum? You are not alone. Our society teaches parents that children are meant to obey adults, which leaves parents feeling frustrated when their children are unable to obey due to big emotions. As we learn more about brain science, the advice offered to parents is shifting. We now know that helping parents to first learn how to regulate their own emotions rather than suppressing them, helps our children learn to self-regulate. This is called co-regulation – check out the tips…
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Teaching Brain Science Demystifies Emotions and Behaviors
Read More: Teaching Brain Science Demystifies Emotions and BehaviorsOne way to deepen your understanding of behavior and emotions is to learn, and help your students learn, about brain science. When one of your students melts down and it turns into a domino-effect meltdown for multiple other students in your class, it can feel defeating. When we understand the basics of how the brain works, it helps demystify human emotions and behavior. It also gives us some agency in self-regulation and problem-solving. Further, young people love learning about their brains! They can become scientists of their own mind, expanding their understanding of their own behaviors and emotions. Here are…
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How Educators Can Co-Create Equitable Learning Communities
Read More: How Educators Can Co-Create Equitable Learning CommunitiesThis month, we are highlighting the transformative work of Matthew Reynolds (they/he/we). We met Matthew through our work with schools and districts in Southern Oregon. Since that time, we have had the opportunity to get to know them through their work as an equity consultant with our district partner, the Southern Oregon Education Service District. Matthew has been a participant in several of our workshops and has introduced several other educators and youth workers to our approach. They are a practitioner of equity and healing, an author, facilitator, educator, and brilliant human being. We are grateful they took the time…
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Engage Kids in Problem Solving
Read More: Engage Kids in Problem SolvingFamily meetings are a powerful tool to build the life skills that we want our children to have. Holding family meetings helps children learn empathy, cooperation, mutual respect, and effective, solution-focused problem solving. The consistent practice of gathering as a family, giving and receiving compliments, and solving problems helps families run more smoothly and builds family connections. Family meetings are a tangible way for kids to practice exercising their voice and sharing their opinions. Young people benefit so much when they have a say in how their environment is structured. When they can use their voice, it also fosters feelings…
