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Blog about social emotional learning, school counseling, relaxation coping skills for kids, social skills, and more!
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Trauma-Informed Mindfulness as a Self-Care Tool Teachers and Students in the Classroom
This post explains trauma informed mindfulness as a self care tool for teachers and students in classroom settings. You’ll find guidance on offering choice based breathing, somatic movement, mindful observation and external focus. The post also includes how staff can model and co create safe routines that support regulation, emotional resilience and prevent burnout in trauma sensitive schools.
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Using Mindful Coloring for Emotions and Self-Regulation
Coloring isn’t just fun. It is a powerful tool for helping kids recognize, express, and regulate emotions. This post shows how using mindful coloring and color by code activities helps expand emotional vocabulary, promotes interoception, and supports calming breaks. You will also find strategies for modeling feelings language and a resource to include coloring pages in grief or calm kits.
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23 Creative Termination Activities for Ending Counseling with Children
End counseling on a positive note with 23 creative activities designed for children. From memory jars and goodbye letters to vision boards and certificate ceremonies, these ideas help young clients reflect on growth, find emotional closure, and feel ready for what’s next—all in ways that are meaningful and child-friendly.
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5 Art Therapy-Inspired Activities for Calming Behaviors and Building Resilience by Erica Curtis
Explore five art therapy-inspired activities designed to help children calm big feelings and build emotional resilience. These simple, creative exercises—from scribble maps to strength trees—offer nonverbal ways for kids to express themselves and practice coping skills. No art skill or special supplies needed. Includes tips for guiding reflection and adapting the activities to meet diverse needs for self-regulation and growth.
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Successful Calm Corner Ideas for Classrooms
A Calm Corner is a dedicated spot in the classroom where kids can self‑regulate and reset. This post offers ideas like soft seating, sensory tools, emotion charts, mindful coloring, and simple visual prompts , along with clear usage guidelines and structure , to help students practice coping in a safe, supportive space.
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Anxiety Triggers: Coping Without Avoidance
The post helps children and caregivers recognize anxiety triggers , like specific thoughts, environments, or emotions , and introduces healthy coping strategies that support approach rather than avoid. It covers grounding, relaxation, and exposure-based skills that teach kids to move toward triggers safely instead of retreating.
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Coping Skills Craft Activities
This post offers craft based coping skills activities for kids. You will find hands on projects like worry stones emotion jars calm down kits and breathing bracelets. Each activity helps children learn tools to manage feelings and stress in a creative way. The guide includes clear instructions materials lists and ideas for integrating crafts into home, school, or counseling routines to promote self regulation and emotional growth.
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CBT with Children: Helping Kids Change Unhelpful Thoughts with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This post introduces CBT strategies to help children recognize and shift unhelpful thinking. It walks through steps like identifying automatic thoughts, labeling common distortions, challenging negative beliefs, and practicing reframed, realistic self-talk to support emotional regulation and positive behavior.
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Everything You Need to Know About Tension, Stress, and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE®)
Feeling stuck in tension or anxiety? TRE® (Tension, Stress & Trauma Releasing Exercises) offers a gentle way to release stress and trauma from your body. Developed by Dr. David Berceli, the practice uses simple exercises to activate neurogenic tremors and help your nervous system shift into a calmer state. It’s accessible for kids and adults alike, and can become a powerful tool for self-care and emotional regulation.
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Helping Children Sleep Well and Cope with Nightmares
This post shares expert strategies to help children sleep well and cope with nightmares. You will learn how to ease bedtime anxiety, manage fears of the dark, and use creative tools like pareidolia art, dream reframing, memory boxes, and calming books. It explains how to respond gently after a bad dream and build routines that support peaceful sleep and emotional safety.
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Anxiety in Children: Symptoms, Signs, and How to Help
This post explains anxiety in children by highlighting signs like somatic complaints, avoidance, perfectionism, emotional rigidity, oppositional behavior, and racing thoughts. You will learn strategies such as body-based calming skills, breathing exercises, routines, positive self-talk, parent modeling, CBT techniques, and when to seek further support. It equips caregivers and educators to support anxious kids with understanding and tools.
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Creating a Coping Skills Plan: with a Free Printable for Kids!
This post walks you through creating a coping skills plan for children. You learn how to select trusted adults coping tools safe spaces and triggers. The plan shows how to practice skills ahead of big feelings so young people are ready when stress hits. It includes tips on reviewing and updating the plan with families educators and counselors to support emotional resilience.
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Helping Kids Cope in Uncertain Times
This post explores how to help kids cope in uncertain times. You’ll find advice on validating feelings, giving honest information, and creating routines. Learn strategies like open conversations, teaching emotion naming, modeling calm behavior, and reinforcing support. These approaches empower families, educators, and counselors to help children feel safe and resilient when life feels unstable.
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Creating a Mindful Moment Relaxation Room in a School
A Mindful Moment Room gives kids a gentle, dedicated space to reset when feelings get big. In this post you’ll find ideas for soft lighting, comfy seating, nature sounds, sensory tools and visual routines. Learn how to set up the space, guide usage, gather donations and fundraise. You’ll also get a helpful supply list and tips for keeping the room calm and functional.
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