The article emphasizes the importance of co-regulation between adults and children in managing emotions and fostering healthy development. It outlines strategies for caregivers to support children through difficult emotional moments by modeling regulation, validating feelings, and providing choices. Successful co-regulation promotes children’s resilience and self-regulation skills.
Tag Archives: Children (4-8)
5 Steps to Start a Friendship Group for Kids
My first book, BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends), grew out of a kids’ friendship program I ran in schools with small groups of students. Participants gained social awareness and skills alongside their peers through activities and conversations in a fun, supportive environment. These friendship groups typically met weekly for six to eight weeks. It’sContinueContinue reading “5 Steps to Start a Friendship Group for Kids”
Parental Controls and Child Safety: Protecting Kids Online
Summary: Parental controls and child safety settings can help protect kids online and reduce young kids’ access to inappropriate content. To be most effective, controls should be set up on all devices your child accesses and accompanied by ongoing family conversations about digital safety. This past week, I visited an elementary school to discuss digitalContinueContinue reading “Parental Controls and Child Safety: Protecting Kids Online”
Five Parenting Insights I Wish I’d Learned Earlier
The author reflects on parenting insights gained over 18 years, acknowledging the learning curve and the impact of these lessons on her daughter’s well-being. She emphasizes the importance of listening, repair, and nurturing confidence in children, with a focus on staying grounded through social challenges and supporting their emerging independence.
How to Talk to Kids About Digital Footprints
How can parents talk to kids about digital footprints so they actually listen? How can caregivers explore online reputations in a way that connects with teens? This post explores these questions and more. Many parents are concerned that their child or teen might post something they later regret or that will negatively impact their future.ContinueContinue reading “How to Talk to Kids About Digital Footprints”
5 Family Conversations that Support Kids Healthy Screen Habits
This post shares five family conversations about technology and devices that help kids build healthy screen habits. Helping kids develop safe and healthy screen habits is a cornerstone of parenting today. Conversations about digital footprints, stranger danger, screen addiction, and more are common in families as parents try to keep their kids safe. While researchingContinueContinue reading “5 Family Conversations that Support Kids Healthy Screen Habits”
Helping Kids Understand Mindful and Mindless Screen Time
This post defines mindful and mindless screen time, and offers ways to help kids become more aware of their own screen behaviors. My teen daughter takes a break from TikTok over the summer. This is no easy task, given that staying up-to-date on trends means staying current on what is happening on social media forContinueContinue reading “Helping Kids Understand Mindful and Mindless Screen Time”
Back-to-School and Friendships
It’s back-to-school time, and that means back to friendships, too. For many kids, the return to school and their social worlds is a mix of excitement and worry. Kids may wonder if their friendships will be the same. They may be frustrated with some of their classmates. Or they may feel distraught because their friend isContinueContinue reading “Back-to-School and Friendships”
5 Surprising Statistics About Kids and Screens
The technology train has left the station and reshaped childhood in the process. The following statistics illustrate the influence of screens and tech on kids’ daily lives. It’s important to note that not all of the statistics are negative. Depending on its use, technology has positive, neutral, and negative effects on kids’ and families’ lives. ContinueContinue reading “5 Surprising Statistics About Kids and Screens”
5 Ways to Foster Healthy Digital Habits in Kids
Let’s face it, tech companies do not have the best interests of our kids and teens in mind. On top of that, laws to protect kids online cannot get through congress. This leaves it to parents and caregivers to help kids learn to stay safe and build healthy digital habits. So, where do families start?ContinueContinue reading “5 Ways to Foster Healthy Digital Habits in Kids”