What is Emotional Regulation? Emotional regulation is the ability to effectively manage and respond to an emotional experience. Why is Emotional Regulation Important? Emotional regulation helps kids Process difficult experiences and feelings without getting “out of control” Label emotions and identify their feelings Build self-awareness of feelings and responses to situations Recognize if an emotional response is appropriate or not to a given situation Gain efficient coping and self-regulation strategies Participate in daily activities includingContinue reading “Emotional Regulation for Children”
Author Archives: Lindsey wood
Fidget Tools for Focus
Everyone fidgets– you may bite your nails, play with your hair, doodle on your paper, or bounce your leg. “Fidgets” have become a common craze today in the world of our kids, but there is actually science behind why fidget tools help some kids focus. Some children’s brains are seeking more input to stay at the “just right” arousal level. For example, a child who is “seeking” sensory input may be constantly moving, wiggling, touchingContinue reading “Fidget Tools for Focus”
Developmental “Quarantivities”
Simple Activities To Support Development Using Household Items Has this quarantine exhausted all of your efforts to entertain your toddler or school-aged child? Looks like we may be quarantined for a bit longer, so here are some ways to develop fine motor, gross motor, and sensory processing skills and help your little ones stay regulated using common household items. No need to venture out to the store as you probably have most of these itemsContinue reading “Developmental “Quarantivities””
Calming Space for Kids
’cause we all need a little zen… Every child needs a little zen in their day-to-day life as it can get quite hectic when things don’t go their way, their school and extracurricular activities are never ending, or they are overstimulated with technology and real life. I believe one very important place all children (toddlers to teens) should have in their home (and/or classroom) is a designated calming space. A calming space is a designatedContinue reading “Calming Space for Kids”
The Joy of Just Being
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 6 children ages 2-8 have a diagnosed mental, behavioral or developmental disorder (2019). Experts believe the rise is partly due to increased stress in children and families (DeAngelis, 2004). As a practitioner, I see these issues firsthand. It shocks me to see young children, as young as 5 years old, experiencing such emotional stress that it actually interferes with their ability to engage inContinue reading “The Joy of Just Being”
Tactile Sensitivities
Does your child struggle with getting dressed each morning? Do you have difficulty getting out the door while your child is crying in the middle of his/her room in only a diaper or undies? Does he/she cry, fight, and push away when you’re trying to put on their shirt, pants, socks, and shoes? Will he/she only wear long sleeve, spandex shirts that you’ve made sure to cut every tag out of? Tactile sensitivities may playContinue reading “Tactile Sensitivities”