Category: Speak to

At bedtime, ask your child: “What do you want to dream about tonight? Do you want to dream you’re going to a far-away place? Or doing something special?” Encourage them to tell you as many details as they can imagine. Then share a Dream Story of your own.

Share a favorite family moment with your child. Say something like, “Remember the first time you tried the slide at the playground?” Talk about the memory and ask them how it felt and what they were thinking. You might be surprised at what they remember!

Waiting for a parent to finish a meeting or task can be hard. Help your child come up with strategies for waiting. Say something like, “Think of as many red things as you can.” Or, “How many words can you come up with that start with the letter G?”

Help your child learn to breathe deeply when feeling upset. Have them close their eyes and put their hand on their belly to feel it go out when they breathe in. When breathing out, their belly moves in. Remind them to use Belly Breathing to help them calm down.

Use an empty shoebox or other container to make a “Calm Down Kit” with your child. Have your child put special items inside that help them feel secure and relaxed. When they are feeling upset, remind them to use their kit. They even can decorate the box to make it their own.

During a calm moment, invite your child to think of ideas to help when they feel stressed. They can try using words to explain feelings, hitting something that can’t be hurt, or counting numbers. See what works and brainstorm new ideas.

Ask your child to talk about their day using feeling words like happy, excited, and sad. Try questions like, “Was there a time when you felt frustrated today?” Ask them to make faces that express these feelings. Share your day as well.

Ask your child to make choices about what they want to wear. Give options like, “Do you want to wear the white socks or the black socks?” Be silly and ask, “Will you wear them on your head? No!” Encourage them to try getting dressed on their own and praise how hard they’re working.

Is it hard for your child to change gears? Moving from one task to another can be a challenge. Work together to come up with a special routine. For example, each time you move from reading-time to another task, you can give each other a kiss, a hug, and a high five. Before you know… Continue reading Change-up Routine

Your child loves snuggling and hearing your voice. Get close and cuddle with them while sharing a story or song. Use a calm, quiet, and soothing voice to help them fall asleep quickly. This can become a nightly routine that lets them know it is time for bed.