It's always lovely to see a new batch of picture books that help model friendship for children. Because friendship is a skill, just like any other; an important emotional intelligence skill. And books about friendship can help. Books That Help Children Learn About Friendship Triangle by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen Quirky humor plus shapes galore! Triangle leaves his house to go play a sneaky … [Read more...]
Picture Books That Teach About Emotions
I love using picture books to teach children about emotions and increase their emotional intelligence. Consider what your child may be struggling to express, or understand, and how a picture book could help. Picture Books That Teach About Emotions The Color Monster a Pop-Up Book of Feelings by Anna Llenas Monster's colors are all scribbly and mixed-up which means his emotions are, … [Read more...]
Can Phone Obsessed Kids Develop Emotional Intelligence?
One of the worries I have for my daughter and her friends is that phones are stunting their emotional intelligence skills -- particularly in the areas of social awareness and relationship management. And it's clear that EQ is a huge predictor of personal happiness and academic success so if it's not well developed, well, that wouldn't be ideal. What's more, I imagine kids' phones are also used … [Read more...]
Emotional Intelligence Activity for Kids: Pooh Sticks
As you know, we're talking a lot about emotional intelligence and mindfulness this summer. Emotional awareness is the first step to being mindful, in order to develop emotional intelligence, or EQ. To begin, you must observe your emotions without judgement. I've found an emotional intelligence activity for kids that will give them a visual representation of how the emotions flow in and out the … [Read more...]
Encourage Play Building Social Skills Kits
It was one of those days. I anguished over social issues with one of my kids. It felt like nothing was improving. But then, a most amazing thing happened. Janine Halloran, blogger at Encourage Play and licensed mental health counselor, reached out to me based on a comment I made on a group thread in FB. I didn't even know her at the time, but her words of encouragement and ideas were … [Read more...]
MySELF Social Emotional Learning Books
MySELF (Social Emotional Learning Foundations) books help children in PreK - 1st grade build both their early literacy skills and social and emotional intelligence skills. When children aquire and apply the skills necessary to manage emotions, set and achieve goals, resolve conflicts, feel empathy for others, and make responsible decisions, this is called social emotional learning (SEL). A … [Read more...]
Preschoolers Learn Social-Emotional Skills In Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
I'm so excited about Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, a new PBS Kids show launching September 3, inspired by Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. It focuses on age-appropriate social-emotional skills for preschoolers. And, it does it through music! (Honestly, it's messages are good for us, too - I get the songs stuck in my head and that's not a bad thing.) Preschoolers Learn Social-Emotional Skills The … [Read more...]
Back-to-School Books
As your children return back-to-school, you'll want to read these new picture books, especially Chopsticks by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Little Sweet Potato by Amy Beth Bloom. Back to School Books Because You Are My Teacher by Sherry North, illustrated by Marcellus Hall Teachers, here's your new first day of school read aloud! It sets the tone for your classroom, that it's a place for … [Read more...]
How to Help Your Kids Deal with the Colorado Shooting Tragedy
I can't believe it; but I can believe it. A shooting in a crowded movie theater of children and adults. Innocents. Precious lives destroyed. I feel sadness and anger. You may not want to talk to your school-age kids about this - and because school is out, that's a more viable option than normally. However, if your children are around other kids, they will hear about the shooting at some point. … [Read more...]
Art and Writing Project: When Mom or Dad Has Cancer
Art helps kids express feelings. For many children, it's easier to draw an emotion than label it and talk about it. Certainly this is true for young children who may not know the feelings words yet. In fact, art therapy is used for grief, loss, learning disabilities, emotional issues, mental disorders, abuse, cancer, and divorce, among other ways. I'm not an art therapist but when my … [Read more...]
Family Dinner Activity – Feelings Bowl
by Susan Schroeder, mother and Kimochis expert. So many of us moms work outside of the home and try hard NOT to bring our work home with us. All parents (working outside the home or not!) crave sacred, uninterrupted, quality time with our children. We want to make sure we stay connected to our kids and make sure they know that we are available for them, even when we have to spend time away—at the … [Read more...]
Best NEW Picture Books for Emotional Intelligence
As parents we know at deep level the importance of helping our children understand and communicate feelings, also called emotional intelligence. You don't need research to know that some kids struggle with feelings while others seem to grasp and communicate their emotions easily - and there are many on the continuum in between. So how do you help kids learn about feelings and emotions? And, what … [Read more...]