Are Kids Less Disciplined than Ever?
Kids and Discipline If you have any connection to the educational system as I do, it’s not unusual to hear teachers complain that children today are much harder to teach than in years past. In fact, the job of the teacher has become so difficult that the average length of time that new teachers stay…
Read MoreWhere Negative Thoughts Come From and How to Change Them
Negative thoughts… we’ve all got them. But where do they come from? Kids and adults alike probably think that negative thoughts just happen but in actuality there are four places that they may come from. We fail at something or make a mistake: Instead of seeing failure as a necessary part of success, instead we…
Read MoreFive Steps to Teach Kids to be Kind
We all want and expect others to be kind but exactly what is kindness, how is it developed, and why does it matter? There are 5 steps to teaching kindness: Define what kindness: Teach that kindness is being friendly, generous and considerate. Next teach that based on our environment, our family of origin, and our…
Read MoreEvery Child Needs a Champion
Don’t we all need a little encouragement like that from time to time? Someone to remind us of that all things are possible? Someone who accepts us just as we are without judgement, then helps us to be the better version of ourselves? Someone who isn’t just task focused (get the work done!) but…
Read MoreHelping Kids Develop Self-Compassion Through Self-Talk
Growing Self Compassion The term monkey brain refers to the mind’s constant chatter. According to some brain scientists, the mind creates 50,000 thoughts a day. That chatter keeps us not only unfocused but out of touch. Much of that chatter unfortunately is negative self-talk. We are all at its mercy and children are no exception, which is why…
Read MoreWhy you can’t motivate kids…
Why you can’t motivate kids… Do your school work! Where is your homework! Clean up your desk! Follow directions without reminders. How many of your referrals are for kids who are too stubborn, won’t cooperate and don’t do their work? How much of your time as a counselor is spent trying to motivate students? What…
Read More