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My Backpack has arrived! 
 Each stressor is followed by strategies to calm, or to rev up (when needed). Based on a neurobiological model of calming (as seen in Dr. Bruce Perry's work), readers walk through ways to change uncomfortable feelings. Playful and encouraging examples help children deepen their sense of being capable of managing stressors. "I Notice" arrows draw attention to what is happening in the body, and the name of the emotion that goes along with those sensations.  Included are
 Thank you for sharing the books with children and youth and their caring adults!
Our newest book (#6) will arrive early in the New Year. My Backpack ... for surviving and thriving in two homes, supports children of separation and divorce. Until then, enjoy time with family and friends.
And to deepen the learnings our books (with supporting free resources) are:
CHILL - for navigating upset in junior high/middle school Instead I - for surviving and thriving What if I - for calming worries So Then I - for recess and unstructured times Why Can't I - for beating the blues. May the calming superhero inside flourish!  What does "cheering on" look like, sound like? When do we do this? How do we help children and youth develop needed skills. This info graphic tracks part of the process (from the bottom up):
We often do this without being aware of our skill. Yet in our work with more complex children and youth, this needs to become an intentional practice.
All the best as you support young ones in their growth! School is on! Routines are back into place in most classrooms and homes.
So, now other work with complex children begins. How do we support development? This summer I reflected on a key question, "Are we giving messages of capability?" This is particularly important question when we work with children and youth who struggle. Once we have learned that a child/youth struggles with something, we often get stuck at "What next?" We may wonder:
My conclusion?
And in the next post ... what are key messages we can say to young people during their struggles. After close to two years of mixing and shaking and measuring, CHILL - like a superhero is born!  How can we
help students understand themselves? How can we assist young adolescents to navigate the crises of middle school and junior high? How can we support social and emotional growth in young people? Great questions, indeed. In this graphic novel the main character struggles, focusses, calms, overcomes, apologizes, learns, helps ... and shows what a superhero can look like! Order CHILL today or ask for it at your local library!
 One of my most favourite memories recently is one of laughter. We were in a conference room, all eighty of us. I was presenting. All of us were laughing. I was laughing so hard it was difficult to breathe, much less talk. What a wonderful memory. Even writing about it accesses positive feelings and inside pictures that offer delight right now. Laughter is powerful. Laughter with (not at) can be a "game changer". ... and ... we know that socially, laughter:
Some recent research looks at the impact of laughter on the brain and body. Some highlights include how laughter:
- guffaw - hilarity - glee - grin - smile - chortle - giggle - chuckle - shriek - belly laugh - roar - howl As July and August approach I am considering how I will
Consider this "sentence frame" ... This summer I will invite laughter by ___________________. |
