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Developing Firmness Tools for Educators
Read More: Developing Firmness Tools for EducatorsWhen we can respond to students in ways that are both connected and firm, both adults and students benefit. But how do we do that? Children need compassion and boundaries, connection and high expectations – at the same time. But many of us did not grow up with this model, or learn it in our teacher training. The good news is that this is something we can learn, practice, and get better at until it’s second nature. Tips for Developing Firmness Tools Find ways to build relationships with each child: Humans will do hard things for people we trust and…
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Developing Firmness Tools for Parents
Read More: Developing Firmness Tools for ParentsKind compassion and grounded firmness are critical to effective parenting. If we can do both, our parenting takes on a strong even keel, so that in stormy times or calm, we know we are getting where we want to go with our children in a way that has direction and purpose. Both parents and kids feel the stability. We call this parenting with connected firmness. How do we do this, when many of us were not brought up with this modeled in our own families? Ask More Questions: Instead of telling kids what to do all of the time, begin…
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The Great Reset for Families
Read More: The Great Reset for FamiliesPriya Parker, the author of The Art of Gathering, encourages us to enter into 2022 with conscious intention and in community. Recently, she discussed her ideas for a concept called “the great reset” on Brené Brown’s podcast. Parker calls upon us to recognize the gift of our times: “We are in a moment of creation. And that is something that few generations get at this level…We are entering and building this new world…It is a radical time of makeover, of invention.” How can we apply this concept of radical reinvention in our own families? Welcome all feelings: Many of us grew up…
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The Great Reset
Read More: The Great ResetPriya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering, encourages us to enter into 2022 with conscious intention and in community. Recently, she discussed what she calls “the great reset” on Brené Brown’s podcast. What is the Great Reset? Parker describes it this way: “We are in a moment of creation. And that is something that few generations get at this level…We are entering and building this new world…It is a radical time of makeover, of invention.” What does radical reinvention look like in classrooms? As overwhelming as that sounds, radical reinvention means small, simple; Like taking three breaths together. Bringing intention to…
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Teachers Can Harness the Power of Ritual and Routine
Read More: Teachers Can Harness the Power of Ritual and RoutineAt this time of year, with heightened excitement and a looming break from school, the agreements you co-created with your class at the beginning of the school year and the everyday routines you have been establishing are things to lean on. Depend on that structure now, because it comforts them and helps them feel safe. Refrain from adding too much extra. Avoid the temptation to add more excitement to the days: Assemblies, special activities, half-days and holidays can be stressful. Especially for those who have been exposed to adverse experiences. Keep the school-day flow as close to normal as possible…
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Practice and Teach Kindness
Read More: Practice and Teach KindnessEducators are being encouraged to practice self-care more than ever before. This is not the solution to the many challenges and systems issues facing educators. However, it is helpful to practice those things that we can control, and that can improve our own mental and physical well-being. One of those things is to practice kindness towards others. If you haven’t had the opportunity to look at the research on acts of kindness, it is very interesting! Acts of generosity, caring, and being helpful to others have been shown to have more benefits to an individual than traditional self-care practices. This…
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For Healthier Kids, Flip the Script on Self-Care
Read More: For Healthier Kids, Flip the Script on Self-CareOne way to help kids who are struggling is to try flipping the script – talk less about self-care and more about care for others around us. Research shows that kindness towards others is more beneficial for mental and physical health than self-care. Active kindness: helping others, volunteering, being generous and consciously kind, results in us feeling physically better, less depressed, and more energized. It just makes us happier. Being actively kind has profound positive impacts for kids. An article in Psychology Today reports that kids who have life experience helping others are three times happier than those who don’t.…
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How Teachers can move from “What is Wrong with You?!” to “What Happened to You?”
Read More: How Teachers can move from “What is Wrong with You?!” to “What Happened to You?”We now know that childhood trauma, including ongoing toxic stress, has a profound impact on brain development and behavior. In fact, behaviors teachers see in the classroom that seem to make no sense may actually be a student’s adaptive responses that show a brain’s capacity for prioritizing survival. When we blame the student or take behavior personally, our responses may be hurtful rather than helpful. Over the past 18 months, as the effects of the pandemic have further increased stress and struggle for all families, especially those from marginalized and Brown and Black populations, teachers may see a good deal…
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How Parents & Caregivers can move on from “What’s Wrong with Me?”
Read More: How Parents & Caregivers can move on from “What’s Wrong with Me?”Our early experiences shape us in profound ways. If those experiences were persistently stressful or traumatic in your early life, you may suffer from the results of adversity, just like millions of other parents and caregivers. Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey teamed up on a new book titled What Happened To You? that illuminates how early adversity affects human beings. Many of us are caught up in blame and shame, and the authors point out that rather than asking, “What is wrong with me?” or “What is wrong with you?” we should shift the question to ask instead, “What…
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How to Help Kids Rebuild Their Stamina for the New School Year
Read More: How to Help Kids Rebuild Their Stamina for the New School YearMasked up, many children have headed back to in-person learning. Though the academic load has not yet become heavy, the time in isolation has taken its toll in many ways. Just like an athlete returning to training after post-injury recuperation, our kids need to slowly build back the stamina they once had. We can help our kids steadily build it back over time and adjust stamina for social interaction, focus and study, and all that it takes to be an engaged student of today. Here are some ideas to support your kids in this time: Acknowledge the internal work of…
