Group Dynamics
Group dynamics refers to the interactions and behaviors or people within a social collective. As our world continues to change, grow, and evolve, we find ourselves very naturally forming groups. Groups can be formally created, such as in work or school groups, or informal collectives, such as hobbyists, groups with common values, or social groups. […]
How to Cultivate Gratitude in Your Family
Increasing research supports the benefits of gratitude and a healthy practice of focusing attention on appreciations and gratefulness. While this sounds great in theory, it can be hard to introduce this habit into the daily routine of family life. Our aim is to provide resources and tips to help introduce a practice of gratitude that […]
Thrill Seekers, Fright Finders – The Science of Being Scared
Happy Halloween! This is the time of the year not just for candy and pumpkin patches, but also for horror movie marathons, haunted houses, and seeking out the scary. Psychologically speaking, the typical response to a frightening or alarming stimuli is to “fight or flight,” to prepare to combat the stressor or escape it. So […]
How To Motivate Your Child
Motivation is the drive within a person, towards a specific goal. Some people are intrinsically motivated, or motivated from within. Their innate traits, personality, and the desire to reach their potential is enough motivation to get through some of the rougher parts of a journey. Others are extrinsically motivated, or motivated by external rewards. Most […]
Belonging: The Barriers, and the Benefits
To know that we are not alone, that we are indeed a part of something larger, is a psychological need that occurs as early as childhood. Studies have shown that to be a part of a group or to have social connections are as critical to human survival as food, water, and shelter. In fact, […]
Tried and True Tips For Parenting Differently Abled Children
In this age of the internet, many parents crowd source their parenting decisions, even before a child is born. Parents scan the internet reading reviews of strollers and car seats, and read blogs about specifics like weaning and introducing solid foods, to overall parenting philosophies and discipline strategies. Parents of children with special needs are […]
Support for Gender Non-Conforming, Trans, and Non-Binary Individuals
Few topics generate such passion, and it can be hard to speak about the experience of gender non-conforming individuals without generating strong opinions from all sides of the political and moral spectrum. Yet despite all of the strong emotions, for the person who is experiencing gender dysphoria or confusion about their gender, they just want […]
Back To School Series: Big Moves
As children travel through their school years, they go from toddlers, to kids, to tweens, to teens, to adults! It happens quickly, and parents scramble to keep up with the growth, the changes, and transitions. Raising children is an experience of both eternity and a blink of an eye, and the changes are most evident […]
Back To School Series: School Supports
Children, parents, and teachers often meet a new school year with optimism. This fresh start is a chance for new beginnings, new friendships, new study habits…and new obstacles. While challenges are opportunities to learn and get stronger, those that have emotional or learning difficulties may quickly become frustrated by the academic environment, and this is […]
Back To School Series: The Activity Balance
As kids and parents continue to prepare for back to school, the school schedule is not the only thing in mind as the family calendar starts to fill up. Increasingly, after school activities are vying for prime spots on your child’s busy calendar. While you want your child to have the enrichment opportunities of his […]