Closet Full of Nothing My Kid Will Wear!
July 3, 2022
My son likes T-shirts and gym shorts in the warmer months, hoodies and sweatpants in the colder months. That’s it. Attempts to try different clothing in the past occassionally led to big emotions and power struggles, but I’ve learned from him that it doesn’t have to be that way. Daddy and Son Quality Time: Mall Addition. We had just celebrated...
The Power of Co-Regulation (For All Of Us)
March 28, 2022
was traveling home after a workshop this weekend, navigating a new airport. I love traveling and new airports are exciting for me, but I understand they’re not for others. I was walking next to a woman who just arrived from a different city. She was clearly confused and stressed. She was looking for baggage claim. The signs were confusing. We...
Turning the Corner from Behavior Management to Connection and Collaboration
March 21, 2022
A community member shared a social media post with me from a pre-school teacher. This teacher was seeking advice from colleagues about “behavior management”. The teacher wrote: “I teach 4 and 5 year olds. I’m struggling with consequences for poor choices. I’m at a loss about what else to do. I’ve tried the following: Time out Daily Color behavior chart...
Potty Talk!
March 14, 2022
Occupational Therapists have expertise in addressing Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). This includes toileting and hygiene. It’s in our training to become an OT and it’s a common discussion with families who bring their child for OT services. So, as an OT, I have “potty talk” a lot. As a dad of a son and daughter, I’ve had a lot...
Sit Up Front?
March 7, 2022
I had an interesting experience recently in an elementary school classroom. I sat in the front of the room, by the teacher’s desk. The student I was there to see was absent, so I sat at their desk. When I was in school as a student, I was a fidgeter. My legs were in constant motion and my books, covered...
Dear Teachers and Principals: Please Stop Taking Away Recess.
January 18, 2022
Despite all of the known benefits of recess, taking away recess as a punishment continues to be a very popular discipline tactic used by teachers and principals. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Association of Elementary School Principals and Playworks surveyed almost 2,000 principles nationwide. Key findings from the survey included: • 4 out of 5 principals report that...