Love Languages for Kids

Some adults may know of the five love languages in relation to their partner: acts of service, quality time, physical touch, words of affirmation, and receiving gifts. It’s helpful to understand how one expresses love to another. Did you know that love languages are also helpful in parenting? In my work with parents, I often have parents identify what their child’s love language is, so their child’s need for love is met. When a child feels love, then they feel healthy and emotionally stable.

Understanding and Managing Your Lizard Brain

Learning about the lizard brain can help you and the child in your life deescalate during heated moments. As parents, caregivers, and teachers we can wonder why children have a difficult time managing emotions. However, we often forget that they need to be taught. Just as we have taught them to brush their teeth, ride a bike, and conquer new math problems, we also have to teach them strategies to sit with their emotions and use coping strategies when possible.

Helping Children Cope With Grief

It was 20 years ago this month that my grandfather passed away. This was my first experience with death and the dying process. I was 12 years old, and I still remember the feelings I felt to the news that he passed away… extreme sadness, shock, anger, worry, confusion, etc. Those are a lot of feelings for any child to experience all at once.

Ten Signs Your Child Needs Child Therapy

Children face many obstacles as they grow such as school challenges, social issues, bullying, life transitions, etc. Each of these can rock one’s world that can lead to heightened anxiety or depression. All too often our child’s wellbeing is only associated with physical health while mental health and anxiety are overlooked. If your child was physically injured or sick, you would bring them to the doctor. If your child was failing a class, you would get them tutoring.

Play Therapy and Child Mental Health

Has your child ever sat down on the couch to discuss their feelings and concerns with you? Most likely, the answer is no. Many children do not have the verbal capability to do so, however, children can communicate their concerns and feelings through play. Play is a child’s language. Children can learn and develop through play, but children can express themselves and relieve anxiety and stress as well.

Developmental Regression in Children During the COVID Pandemic

Since life changed in March, you may have noticed your child having more potty accidents, thumb sucking, or drinking from a bottle when your child has not done these things in years. Your child may also have more tantrums and appear clingy as well. It can feel confusing as a parent as to why this is happening and what to do about it.

Self-Reflection

Self-reflection. Two words that can seem intriguing, complex, and daunting when put together. Self-reflection is the act of “meditating or thinking about one’s character, actions, and motives”(Webster Dictionary). Reflection allows for growth.

Bibliotherapy-Family Changes

Bibliotherapy is a creative art therapeutic approach that uses literature to aid in the therapy process. Children’s books can be an excellent clinical tool to support children’s exploration and understanding of their world and life experiences. This is a great tool I often give to parents in order to continue the therapeutic work outside of the office.

Talking to Your Children About Race

If you have not talked with your children about race, now is the time. The topic can be sensitive, enlightening, and uncomfortable, but it is imperative to create a dialogue for the ones that will soon run this world, and hopefully, make it a more inclusive and peaceful one. It may be difficult to know how to start the conversation. Here’s how:

Bibliotherapy- Expected and Unexpected Behaviors

During this time, you may notice an increase in tantrums, yelling and fighting between siblings. Changing the way we view behavior is an important step in positive parenting. Children use behavior to communicate when they cannot articulate what they are feeling. As parents, we can often find ourselves using language such as “you’re being good” or “stop being bad”.

Self-Regulation Activities for Kids

During these tough times, it can be hard for anyone to self-regulate, but especially children. You may have a child who has a ton of energy, so it’s been difficult for your child to burn it all off with staying at home. You may have a child who has been struggling to focus on school work with having to learn online. You may also have a child who struggles with regulating their feelings. How is a child supposed to learn how to regulate?

Bibliotherapy- Resources for Helping Children Manage Their Emotions

During this time little ones may be having trouble identifying and expressing feelings. You may notice an increase in tantrums, anxiety and fighting between siblings. It’s always important to remember that all behavior is communication.

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