EQ

Books That Help Children Learn About Friendship

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 […]

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. ALSO READ: The Biggest List of Emotional Intelligence Picture Books Picture Books That Teach About Emotions The Color Monster a Pop-Up Book of Feelings by […]

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 to avoid feelings […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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, […]

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, […]