Self-Care for Kids: 6 Ways to Self-Regulate
Self-regulation is a skill — and like any skill, it can be taught. That's especially true for kids with language-based learning differences, who often need concrete, independent tools for managing big feelings. A recent Understood.org article shares 6 simple self-care strategies kids can use on their own, without needing an adult to walk them through it in the moment.
At Parkside, building these self-regulation tools is part of how we support the whole child, not just academic growth. Small, repeatable strategies like these help students build confidence and resilience both in and out of the classroom.
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Helping Children Navigate a High-Conflict Divorce
Divorce is hard on families — and when conflict runs high, children often feel it most. This piece from the Child Mind Institute brings together guidance from psychiatrists and psychologists on practical ways parents can shield kids from the worst of it: keeping disagreements out of earshot, preserving access to both parents, modeling calm, and building predictable routines that help children feel secure.
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7 Ways to Get Grade-Schoolers on a School Sleep Schedule
To do their best in school, grade-schoolers need a good night’s sleep — 10 to 11 hours. Kids’ sleep schedules often get derailed, though, by winter or summer break or by a change at home. Here are ways to get back on track.
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Helping Your Child Get the Sleep They Need
A good night’s sleep is essential for learning, focus, and emotional well-being — especially for children with language-based learning differences. As the school year gets underway, now is the perfect time to revisit your child’s bedtime routine and make sure it’s setting them up for success.
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Six Steps You Can Take to Keep From Losing Your Cool
It’s normal to lose your cool sometimes as a parent. And parenting a child with learning and thinking differences can be especially tricky. When you feel yourself getting upset with your child during a confrontation, having a cool-down plan in place can be a big help.
Review these steps and personalize your plan when you’re feeling calm. It can help you stay cool in the heat of the moment.
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How Young Children Use Technology Today: Key Findings & Resources for Families
How are young children engaging with technology in today’s digital world? A new report from Common Sense Media, The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Kids Zero to Eight, provides critical insights into kids’ screen time, gaming, and digital habits in a post-pandemic era.
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How Can We Help Kids With Transitions?
Many children struggle with transitions, which are common triggers for behaviors that range from annoying (whining, stalling) to upsetting (tantrums and meltdowns).
There are many ways parents and teachers can help kids have an easier time with transitions — and be able to behave better—but it may take a little experimentation to find out what clicks with each particular child.
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Teaching Kids About Boundaries
or most parents setting boundaries for young kids’ behavior is second nature: No hitting. Don’t interrupt. We don’t grab toys out of other kids’ hands.
But as kids get older, boundaries for social interaction are important too. They need to learn to set boundaries for themselves and respect those of others. And that takes empathy — being able to recognize what others want and need, as well as what they themselves want and need.
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Why Kids Lie and What Parents Can Do About It
While a younger child may conjure up an elaborate tale about how she couldn’t possibly have kicked a younger sibling, older kids may flat-out lie about doing their homework. Discover why kids lie and what parents can do about it.
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The Secrets to Managing Screen Time Over Winter Break
There's no place like home for the holidays. But what happens when boredom sets in and screen time arguments begin? Check out these useful tips from Dr. Becky of Parents.com on managing kid’s screen time.
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5 Halloween Challenges for Kids with ADHD
Halloween is exciting. It’s also noisy, chaotic, and full of distractions. These are challenges for kids who struggle with focus and self-control, like kids with ADHD. With a little planning, though, you can limit problems without limiting the fun for your child. Here are common Halloween challenges for kids with ADHD, and how to help.
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How to Avoid Passing Anxiety on to Your Kids
The Child Mind Institute recently posted this insightful video that will help you Discover the impact of parental anxiety on children and effective strategies for managing stress with mindfulness techniques.
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ADHD and Depression
ADHD doesn’t cause depression, but the two conditions often occur together. Kids with ADHD are much more likely to be depressed than kids who don’t have ADHD. That’s especially true as they hit the teen years.
Why do these conditions often co-occur? One reason is that ADHD can create a lot of challenges for kids, and those challenges can lead to depression. School and behavior problems can wear down their self-esteem. Trouble with social skills can make them feel isolated.
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How to Make Holidays Better for Kids
Tips for keeping kids happy and able to enjoy the fun, by Rachel Ehmke and the Child Mind Institute.
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Why Ages 2-7 Matter So Much for Brain Development
Rich experiences—from play to the arts and relationships—fundamentally shape a young child’s development.
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Strategies to Make Homework Go More Smoothly
Here is the best guide to helping kids do homework successfully that we’ve seen, published by the National Association of School Psychologists on their website, NASPonline.org. Our thanks to NASP and the Child Mind Institute for sharing it with us.
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Incorporate Nutrition Into Your Child’s Sensory Diet
A “Sensory Diet” incorporates activities throughout the day which provide “food” for the brain and help to create a healthy neurological sensory processing system. A sensory diet rich in movement and touch experiences can facilitate improved cognition, organization of behavior, and more accurate interpretation of sensory information.
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Ways to Deal With a Picky Eater
A balanced diet is key for a child’s growth and development. Here are some tips to help you introduce new elements into a child’s diet when they are a picky eater.
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Helpful Tips on Children and Sleep
The #1 tip for good sleeping habits in children is to follow a nightly routine. A bedtime ritual makes it easier for your child to relax, fall asleep and sleep through the night. Here are some great tips.
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Change is hard at the beginning, messy in the middle, & gorgeous at the end
Change can be difficult; endings can be even more challenging. As the summer winds down, educators, parents, students, and other professionals are asking the same question, “how do we physically, emotionally, academically, and mentally prepare for the school year ahead?”
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