SPARK - Supporting Parents and Reaching Kids

Establishing Weekday Afternoon Routines

Establishing Weekday Morning Routines

ESTABLISHING FAMILY ROUTINES

A simple shift in our mindset can positively affect the well-being of all children.

If you've always wanted to learn more effective tools to handle challenging behaviors, here is your chance! FREE evening workshop and FREE dinner. Contact Sonya Mollicone to register!

When kids are emotionally overwhelmed, the most effective response is to help them feel calm and safe before expecting them to listen or problem-solve. Staying calm yourself, speaking softly, getting down to their level, validating their feelings (“I can see you’re really upset”), and giving simple directions can help their brain regulate enough to cooperate again.) Once they’re calmer, that’s the better time to teach, set limits, or talk through what happened.

Children often cry over “small things” because their emotions feel big to them, even if the situation seems minor to adults. Children respond best when caregivers stay calm, validate the child’s feelings, and hold consistent boundaries while teaching healthy coping skills over time.

Offering children choices helps them feel more in control and empowered. When kids feel heard, they’re often less likely to respond with ‘no’ to everything.

When kids give us "difficult" behaviors they are expressing a NEED. So break out those detective skills and see if you can figure out the NEED behind the BEHAVIOR.