Helping Kids Face Back to School Anxiety With Courage
Back to school season can stir up worry long before the first day arrives. Your child may start asking the same questions repeatedly. Who will my teacher be? Will my friends be in my class? What if I don’t know what to do? Then come the stomach aches, tears, trouble separating, or outright refusal to […]
Back-to-School Anxiety: How to Help Without Reinforcing Avoidance
Back-to-school anxiety can start long before the first day. It can show up as stomach aches, headaches, trouble sleeping, irritability, tears, repeated questions, or a sudden insistence that school simply isn’t happening this year. And when a child is distressed, our instinct is usually immediate: make it better. We reassure them. We change plans. We […]
Why Your Child’s Behaviour Isn’t The Problem
When a child is yelling, refusing, hitting, or completely overwhelmed, our instinct is often to stop the behaviour. We want the meltdown to end and for everyone to calm down. We search for the right consequence, the right words, or the perfect strategy. But what if we’re asking the wrong question? Behaviour happens when children […]
Why Emotional Regulation Starts in the Body
Taking Care of the Body is Key for Emotion Regulation Emotional regulation in children is not just about teaching coping strategies or helping them manage behaviour. A child’s ability to regulate is deeply connected to what is happening inside their body. If their body is under-fueled, overtired, dehydrated, or overloaded, the brain has fewer resources […]
Connection and Emotional Regulation in Children
Why Connection and Emotional Regulation in Children Are Closely Linked Connection and emotional regulation in children are deeply linked, especially when anxiety is present. When adults focus only on coping strategies, they may miss an important truth: a child’s nervous system often needs safety first before any skill can be used. Breathing exercises, positive self-talk, […]
When Calming Strategies Make Anxiety Worse
Most adults have good intentions when a child is distressed. We soothe.Often, we reassure children that everything is okay.Many adults offer coping strategies immediately.Most of us try to calm the situation as quickly as possible. And sometimes, that is exactly what the nervous system needs. But sometimes, those same interventions unintentionally strengthen the very anxiety […]
Emotional Regulation for Children: Helping Kids Manage Emotions
Emotional regulation for children is not about stopping emotions or making difficult feelings disappear. It is about helping kids understand what emotions are communicating, how their nervous system responds to stress, and how they can build healthy coping skills over time. A child melts down before school and refuses to put on their shoes. A […]
How Emotions Drive Kids’ Behaviours
Discover how emotions drive kid’s behaviours. When they understand how each emotion serves a purpose, kids can learn to make positive behavioural choices while boosting their emotional intelligence and resilience.
Should We Force Kids to Apologize?
The debate on whether to force kids to apologize is complex. This article explores the benefits and drawbacks, providing insights about the pros and cons of forcing kids to apologize and the best approaches to fostering genuine remorse and empathy in children.
Words That Worry: The Link Between Parental Language and Child Anxiety
Discover the crucial impact of parental language on child anxiety. Explore practical strategies for using reasonable safety language, avoiding catastrophizing, and creating a supportive environment for children. Learn how mindful communication can foster resilience and emotional health in your child.