Helping Kids Bounce Back: The Keys to Resiliency
Childhood is full of wounds. Not just the cuts, scrapes, and bruises of explorative play; kids’ feelings are routinely hurt, whether from rejection by others,…
Portfolio Categories: Tears
Freedom of Expression: Guiding kids’ emotions into maturity
It is not unusual to see a child stomp in frustration, yell when they’re upset, and drag their heels when they feel hurried. Even after…
“Say Sorry!” How Forced Sorry’s Do More Harm Than Good
If you are around a playground or schoolyard long enough you are bound to hear a child or adult say, “You need to say you’re…
When Push Comes to Shove: What to do with Children’s Aggression
Aggressive behaviour in children can be alarming. Hitting, screaming and yelling, fighting with others, and even eye rolling are emotionally charged actions that can leave…
Understanding the Sensitive Child
Sensitive kids are everywhere. Their numbers are estimated to be between 15 to 20% of children in a North American context, but they are often…
Growing Pains: Five Things Teens Need From Parents
If someone asked you what period in human life is likely to be the loneliest, what would you say? Fortunately there are loneliness researchers who…
The Emotional Roots of Anxiety: Healing through Connection
From waves of panic to uneasy feelings that rise up from the gut, anxiety is a universal human experience. It comes as no surprise then,…
True Play: Why Kids Need Play Sanctuaries for Their Emotions
Play is not urgent. It will not wake a child up in the middle of the night like a bad dream or a bladder in…
Irreducible Needs: What Kids Must Have to Thrive
Raffi Cavoukian, a children’s singer, songwriter, and child advocate, wrote a song titled – All I really need – which beautifully captures from a child’s perspective their most essential…
Boys Need to Do More Than Cry
The sentiment that boys need to cry is a common cliche but it eclipses a more important truth beneath it. Emotional expression in males is…
