"I'm fine." If I had a dollar for every time a clearly-not-fine child told me they were fine, I could fund my own research study. Here's what I've learned: when kids say "fine," they're not lying. They're telling us something important about their capacity to communicate about their inner world at that moment. Why Kids Struggle to Communicate About Stress Developmental Factors  Young brains are still developing the neural pathways that connect emotions to language. What feels

Stress doesn't wait for a convenient time to show up. Kids can feel anxious right before a test, during a transition, or even when they're trying to fall asleep. While routines and structure help prevent some stress, children also need tools they can use right in the moment. That's where calming strategies come in. Teaching calming strategies for kids gives them practical ways to soothe their minds and bodies when anxiety starts to build. Understanding Stress in Kids: Why Cal

I used to think the kid who couldn't do breathing exercises was just being "difficult." Turns out, I was asking him to use a Ferrari-level skill when he was still learning to ride a bicycle. Most traditional coping strategies assume kids already have emotional regulation skills. But what works for children who are just beginning to understand their emotions, let alone manage them? Why Traditional Coping Strategies Often Fail Kids The Deep Breathing Problem  Deep breathing req

Life can feel unpredictable for kids. They don't always know what's coming next, and that uncertainty can quickly lead to stress or anxiety. The good news? One of the simplest ways to help is also one of the most effective: routines. Establishing routines for kids' anxiety doesn't mean making life boring or rigid. It means giving them predictable patterns that help them feel grounded, safe, and capable of handling what's ahead. Why Routines for Kids Anxiety Work: The Science

Picture this: Eight-year-old Maya is having a complete meltdown because her pencil broke. To adults, this seems like a massive...

When most of us think about stress, we picture long workdays, bills, or deadlines. But stress isn't just an adult problem — kids...

Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored practical ways to help kids get organized—using checklists, color codes, and step-by-step plans....

In education, it’s easy to focus on what’s missing. We run assessments, review skill deficits, and write goals based on gaps. But if...

Making Planning Routines Work for Real Life  So you’ve set up a checklist. You made a weekly planner. Your child helped create the...

Self-advocacy is more than a buzzword—it’s a vital life skill. When students can identify and communicate their needs, they’re better...

Simple Systems That Actually Work for Real Families   For many kids, “just get organized” isn’t simple advice—it’s a frustrating mystery....

Planning and organization are key parts of executive function—and they’re skills many students find challenging. From remembering...

Helping Your Child Build Better Habits for School, Life, and Beyond Planning, organizing, remembering what's next—these are the kinds of...

Back-to-school season brings a mix of excitement and stress—for both students and the professionals who support them. New classrooms,...

You’re trying to raise an independent kid. But you're exhausted from constantly stepping in—and they still can’t manage without your...

You know your child is capable.   So why do they avoid even the simplest tasks? For many parents, this gap between ability and action...

You’ve tried routine charts.  You’ve reminded (and re-reminded).  You’ve offered rewards, timers, and consequences.  And yet... routines...

Back-to-school season brings mixed feelings for many families—but especially those raising kids with executive function challenges. On...

Susan Meyer Markle was a brilliant educator whose work on instructional design, including component/composite relations, is foundational...

Understanding Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is a comprehensive approach that helps students develop...