Raising Resilient Children: Recent Episodes
Tara Gratto M.S.Ed, MA, OCT
Let's dig into all things children and the importance of raising children with skills and tools for feelings, kindness and everyday mental well-being.
Ever feel the weight of perfect parenting pressing down on you? Join me as we navigate the balancing act of connecting with our kids while granting them the freedom to discover themselves. In this conversation, we'll confront the modern parental dilemma of being ever-present while unintentionally steering our children toward dependency on constant adult input. We'll tackle the idea that every moment must be maximized, and reflect on the importance of stepping back to encourage children to become self-reliant problem-solvers. I'll reveal a strategy I call 'stating the obvious' that teaches our little ones connection is a conscious choice, not an on-demand service.
As a generation of parents clocking in more face-time with our kids than ever, we might be missing the mark on fostering the very traits we value—self-reliance and the ability to handle conflict. I navigate these contradictions to uncover the delicate balance between supporting our kids and giving them the freedom to grow.
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Get your quick and actionable tips, blog/podcast updates and curated children's book recommendations by joining Tara's Take the Newsletter HERE
You can also submit questions directly to me at info@taragratto.ca or by heading to our website HERE
The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba
Note: This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.
Children are becoming risk-averse and overly focused on perfection. If they can't do it right the first time, or if it requires some perserverance they are quick to give up.
Join me in discussion that uncovers how well-meaning intentions might be robbing our kids of their natural tenacity and problem-solving abilities. As a host deeply invested in fostering resilience, I recount stories from my preschool that champion the philosophy of observing rather than aiding children in their physical explorations, emphasizing the critical life lessons learned through navigating failure and frustration.
This episode is a resource for anyone looking to strike a balance between nurturing enjoyment and teaching the vital coping mechanisms to handle life's challenges. We discuss the nuances of brain development and how we can better equip our children to master tasks at their own pace, stressing the importance of allowing them to face disappointments head-on. By creating opportunities for peer learning and individual problem-solving, we propose practical approaches for building a generation that's capable, confident, and ready to face whatever comes their way.
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Get your quick and actionable tips, blog/podcast updates and curated children's book recommendations by joining Tara's Take the Newsletter HERE
You can also submit questions directly to me at info@taragratto.ca or by heading to our website HERE
The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba
Note: This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.
This episode delves into the exhaustion that 'on-call parenting' can induce and how we might be reinforcing disrespect without realizing it. We'll be digging into the subject of teaching everyday respect to our children—a task that requires more than just stern talks about expectations. I underscore the power of leading by example and how everyday dialogues shape the foundations of respect in our kids. It's about showing them that respect is not rooted in fear but in mutual understanding. By weaving respect into the fabric of our daily lives, we not only prepare our children for the world but also open ourselves to the lessons they can teach us.
Using my signature framework, The Language of Kindness, I tackle building connected and respectful relationships at home and beyond. This episode is an invitation to parents and guardians alike to reconsider the way we approach respect and the lasting impact it has on our little ones.
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Get your quick and actionable tips, blog/podcast updates and curated children's book recommendations by joining Tara's Take the Newsletter HERE
You can also submit questions directly to me at info@taragratto.ca or by heading to our website HERE
The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba
Note: This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.
Discover the invaluable insights of Amy, a high school guidance counsellor and special education specialist, as she joins me to unravel the complexities of school behaviour, mental health, and parenting in today's fast-paced society. Our discussion sheds light on the heightened challenges educators and students face as the as the year comes to a close.
We delve into the emotional turmoil flooding our classrooms, the silent battles fought within the walls of family homes, and the transformative power of understanding and managing these sometimes overwhelming emotions.
Our conversation weaves through the fabric of modern parenting to examine the nuances of setting boundaries and allowing emotional growth. We tackle the paradox of parenting strategies that aim to support children, but are actually shielding them from essential life experiences and building a potential for increased anxiety and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Amy and I share personal reflections on the mental load of parenting, discussing the fine line between guiding and overprotecting our children, all while navigating the deluge of information that constantly barrages today's families.
This episode goes beyond the impact of individual families to address community-wide issues like the impact of funding cuts on school based extracurricular activities. We debate how the balance of structured and unstructured play shapes a child's autonomy and long-term emotional resilience. From the playground to the living room, we confront the intricacies of providing children with choices, respecting the wisdom of elders, and the essential role trust plays in the journey of parenting.
Join us for this reflective conversation that promises to offer a deeper comprehension of the interplay between education, mental health, and the art of raising children in our current era.
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Get your quick and actionable tips, blog/podcast updates and curated children's book recommendations by joining Tara's Take the Newsletter HERE
You can also submit questions directly to me at info@taragratto.ca or by heading to our website HERE
The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba
Note: This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.
Are you navigating the tricky path of parenting through the transition years? As your kids edge towards their preteens, there's an opportunity to do some intentional skill-building that will support developing independence and autonomy in an effective way.
With insight from Alison Strang, the founder of Soothing Spaces, the episode begins with a discussion on how to create spaces that truly reflect your children's personalities. We explore the unintentional guilt children may feel about not liking certain items and how to address it. Alison shares valuable advice on toy selection, the significance of decluttering, and how to involve your kids in this process. We also dive deep into the emotional process of passing down toys and how to navigate it.
We'll also share some practical approaches to toy organization, including the concept of toy rotation to enhance independent play. Our conversation extends to teaching kids about gift-giving, consumerism, and sustainability. We explore the "sunk cost" concept that comes with decluttering and wrap up with the importance of community giving and toy donation. Be ready to gain new perspectives on parenting and home organization.
Alison's contact information:
Website: https://soothingspaces.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soothingspaces/
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Get your quick and actionable tips, blog/podcast updates and curated children's book recommendations by joining Tara's Take the Newsletter HERE
You can also submit questions directly to me at info@taragratto.ca or by heading to our website HERE
The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba
Note: This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.
Are you giving all your time and energy to your children but still feel like you're missing something? This episode will shed light on what you might be missing: intentional connection. We delve into this concept in parenting, unraveling how just 5-10 minutes of daily engagement can positively impact your relationship with your children. We also tackle the high expectations kids have for parental presence and why being permanently available may not always be best. Instead, we inspire you to create mutually respectful dynamic where everyone's needs matter.
Ever felt 'over-present' yet under-connected with your kid? We've been there too, and that's why we're sharing insightful perspectives on how to authentically connect with your children. In this conversation, we navigate around effective language, turning even the most mundane tasks into opportunities for building respectful relationships.
We encourage you to foster an environment where your children can feel heard and understood. We not only share the importance of using effective language but also how to implement it in day-to-day parenting. Tune in, and let's strengthen those parent-child bonds together.
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Get your quick and actionable tips, blog/podcast updates and curated children's book recommendations by joining Tara's Take the Newsletter HERE
You can also submit questions directly to me at info@taragratto.ca or by heading to our website HERE
The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba
Note: This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.
Is parenthood overwhelming you, especially in these trying times? What if you could gain insights to better manage emotions, set boundaries, and foster a parenting style that doesn't lead to dissatisfaction, irritation, or self-doubt? This episode delves deep into these issues, emphasizing the importance of creating fresh memories rather than living with the guilt of lost time. We dig into the amplified mental load of parenthood that the pandemic has thrust upon us and the potential repercussions of not dealing with it effectively.
We know that birthdays and celebrations can bring out the big feelings in us all, but there’s a silver lining! We take a closer look at how we can turn these events into opportunities for teaching our children healthy coping strategies. We’ll also explore the art of navigating comparison and individuality, building resilience in our children. Finally, we'll discuss the Language of Kindness towards the planet, framing our conversations around values, inclusion, and the delicate balance between equity and equality. Join us, as we journey through the challenging yet rewarding terrain of parenting as we approach the busy holiday season.
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Get your quick and actionable tips, blog/podcast updates and curated children's book recommendations by joining Tara's Take the Newsletter HERE
You can also submit questions directly to me at info@taragratto.ca or by heading to our website HERE
The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba
Note: This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.
Ever felt puzzled by the term Individual Education Plans (IEPs)? Wondered what it truly means for your child's education? Well, we're pulling back the curtain on this concept with a deep dive into Ontario's IEP system, guided by standing guest expert Amy Yeung, a seasoned high school guidance counsellor and special education specialist. Her two decades of experience promise to shine a light on the real purpose of IEPs while offering invaluable insights for parents navigating these waters.
We'll be exploring the process of developing IEPs, illuminating the role of teachers in providing accommodations, and dissecting the approaches of different school boards. You'll learn about the tiered system of services and why a measured approach is key before leaping straight into an IEP. Amy's expert take will reframe your understanding of IEPs, focusing less on extra enrichment and more on providing tailored support to students with diverse learning needs.
We'll also delve into the significance of psychological evaluations, their role in identifying learning disabilities and ADHD, the costs, and wait times associated with these evaluations. Our conversation will stretch to curriculum modifications, how they impact a student's ability to earn high school credits and why these changes are often need to be monitored in elementary school.
Prepare to be enlightened, reassured, and armed with practical advice for your child's educational journey. With Amy by our side, we're making sense of IEPs, one step at a time.
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Get your quick and actionable tips, blog/podcast updates and curated children's book recommendations by joining Tara's Take the Newsletter HERE
You can also submit questions directly to me at info@taragratto.ca or by heading to our website HERE
The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba
Note: This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.
So, your child is having an emotional meltdown and it feels like all eyes are on you. How should you respond? In today's episode, we'll deconstruct the concept of emotional regulation in children and the critical role we as parents play in this process. It's a conversation that debunks the myth that children should be perfect regulators of their emotions and how to set realistic expectations. We'll review the importance of understanding that all feelings are valid, but the key is in teaching our little ones how to express these emotions in ways that aren't harmful to themselves, or to others.
An important part of our discussion will be about creating a safe, judgment-free zone for our kids where all feelings, big and small, are welcome. We will also delve into the real-world challenges of dealing with unwanted behaviors like kicking, screaming, and self-harm. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is emotional regulation. It takes time, patience, and consistent practice. The tools we need to develop emotional regulation skills are best modelled in calm and connected moments, not just when the storm hits. And if you're struggling to navigate these waters alone, don't worry - personal one-on-one sessions are now available to provide more personal guidance. Tune in, and let's navigate these emotional waters together.
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Get your quick and actionable tips, blog/podcast updates and curated children's book recommendations by joining Tara's Take the Newsletter HERE
You can also submit questions directly to me at info@taragratto.ca or by heading to our website HERE
The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba
Note: This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.
Connecting with your child can feel like a daunting task and it can be tempting to engage in lengthy 'sit-down' conversations with them. The ticket to connection is those 'in-between' moments, such as walks or car rides. These are the situations that can make a world of difference in your parenting journey.
To support this, I chat about where eye contact and physical touch play a part in fostering a relationship of listening, as well as the art of positive, meaningful interactions without 'buts' or 'ands'.
As an added bonus I chat about how books aren't just for bedtime. Incorporating books into other parts of your day can facilitate open conversations with your children, helping them express their worries and thoughts. I reveal my strategies to balance the use of books for creating a dialogue with your children and ways to foster genuine relationships that don't rely on costly activities or outings.
Let's confront some uncomfortable truths about parenting, from the importance of when and how we communicate with our kids, to the critical role of positive reinforcement. In this episode we'll tackle some tricky conversations while unravelling the complexities of parenting together.
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Get your quick and actionable tips, blog/podcast updates and curated children's book recommendations by joining Tara's Take the Newsletter HERE
You can also submit questions directly to me at info@taragratto.ca or by heading to our website HERE
The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba
Note: This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.
To transform your parenting approach and boost your child's emotional intelligence, picture books are your secret weapon.
As parents, it's easy to overestimate our emotional vocabulary, as well as your child's. This can pose challenges when you aspire to parent differently from how you were raised. Conversations alone fall short in teaching your children about their feelings, but picture books can change the game. Using them as a tool in calm and connection can help children learn to identify their feelings and develop strategies to handle them.
In this episode, we highlight the power of picture books in shaping a feelings vocabulary - transforming the learning process into a relatable, enjoyable experience. We'll discuss a few of my favourite books to support you in teaching your child about their feelings outside of tense situations. Tune in and discover how picture books can be instrumental in nurturing your child's emotional development and well-being.
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Get your quick and actionable tips, blog/podcast updates and curated children's book recommendations by joining Tara's Take the Newsletter HERE
You can submit questions directly to me at info@taragratto.ca or heading to the podcast website HERE
The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba
Note: This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.
The back-to-school season is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. Whether it's the unknowns of starting KG, the big jump to grade one, or the tumultuous leap into high school, each transition carries its own set of expectations, anxieties, and adjustments.
Together with my insightful guest Amy Yeung, we's peel back the layers of these transitions, offering you a fresh perspective to better understand and navigate these changes not just for yourself as a parent, but for your children as well.
Let's break away from the stereotypical narratives and focus on what really matters — our children's well-being. How can we equip them with the skills to identify good peers? How do we alleviate pressure of transitions with realistic expectations?
Prepare yourself for an episode brimming with practical advice, empathetic discussions, and a fresh perspective on school transitions and friendships. This is not just about surviving the back-to-school season; it's about turning these transitions into opportunities for growth and resilience. Join us for this episode that promises to transform the way you perceive and handle school transitions.
This episode offers a glimpse into the Raising Resilient Children membership community - a resource dedicated to fostering resilience in our children. This conversation with Amy Young is not just about transitions and friendships, but also a wealth of knowledge on raising resilient children. Don’t miss out!
The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba
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Stay in the know for future episodes by subscribing to my weekly newsletter HERE
You can submit questions directly to me at info@taragratto.ca or heading to the podcast website HERE
This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.
What if your sharing about your child online could negatively impact their mental health later in life? In this episode we'll look at some of the possible implications of sharing your child's photos and personal information online.
We'll discuss the complexities of parents sharing childhood memories on the digital stage while acknowledging why it happens. Parenthood can be a lonely journey, and social media feels like it provides an avenue for connection, but at what cost?
Drawing from my early career interactions with teens worried about their online image, I'm reflecting on the ability of young children to provide consent for online sharing contrasted with a parent's desire to be connected to a community.
Join me in navigating the digital dilemmas of sharing about children in the online space.
Are you looking for a community of parents to support you with the challenges of parenting in the digital age. Check out the Raising Resilient Children Resource Centre and Community HERE
The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba
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Stay in the know for future episodes by subscribing to my weekly newsletter HERE
You can submit questions directly to me at info@taragratto.ca or heading to the podcast website HERE
This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.
Ever wondered how the simple task of unloading a dishwasher could equip your children with essential life skills? We'll unveil how transforming chores into responsibilities can empower your little ones and pave their way to becoming competent adults.
We'll explore the power of language in molding mindsets, shifting from 'chore' to 'responsibility', and creating a sense of accomplishment in children. This episode is a treasure trove, offering practical tips to help parents navigate the challenging task of inculcating responsibility in kids, all while tackling the dishwasher!
Our conversation brings to light the art of breaking down overwhelming tasks into smaller, manageable chunks. Remember, it's not just about getting the dishes done; it's about instilling a sense of responsibility and independence.
We'll share insights on setting realistic expectations, handling pushback from older kids, and the subtle impact of our words. Be ready to turn your everyday household tasks into a learning playground for your children. Parents, let's roll up our sleeves, get those dishes out, and start building responsibility, one plate at a time!
The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba
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Submit your comments and questions about Tara's Takes HERE
To learn more about how you can work with me submit a contact form HERE or email me at info@taragratto.ca
This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.
Are kids starting extracurricular activities too early? As a society, are we over-prioritizing structured activities in place of downtown and other essential life skills?
I'm Tara, and in today's episode, I'll be turning these questions on their heads to navigate the often complicated world of extracurricular activities for children under 7. Together, we'll explore the pressures parents face and delve into the potential unintended consequences of over-scheduling our kids' lives.
We'll go beyond the usual discussions about daycare and school, and question the societal norms around what we think our children really need. Brace yourself as we challenge mass group thinking and its impact on our children.
We'll also talk about the importance of creating space for them to learn essential life skills and consider the possibility of reducing their extracurricular programming. So join me as we rethink extracurriculars and reevaluate children's developmental needs.
It's going to be a thought-provoking journey that promises to help us make better parenting choices for our children's future.
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Submit your comments and questions about Tara's Takes HERE
To learn more about how you can work with me submit a contact form HERE or email me at info@taragratto.ca
This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.
Struggle with your child's constant complaints of boredom or felt the pressure to constantly entertain them? Feeling guilty about screen time and want to strike a better balance?
In today's episode, I discuss how to approach boredom with intention and provide suggestions to help your children learn to manage this feeling on their own.
I also tackle the challenge of helping children navigate boredom in our fast-paced, on-demand world and share insights on reframing boredom as independent play, creative thinking, or other forms of self-guided exploration. By doing so, you can take a step back and give your child the space they need to handle their own feelings of frustration, without constantly intervening.
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Submit your comments and questions about Tara's Takes HERE
To learn more about how you can work with me submit a contact form HERE or email me at info@taragratto.ca
This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.
Tired of having arguments over every little task that needs to be done? Do you ever find yourself struggling to validate your child's emotions without encouraging unwanted behaviours?
This is Part 2 of my series on power struggles. In this episode I explore the balance between acknowledging feelings and taking action. I tackle the importance of empowering children to be independent thinkers while teaching them to respect others.
You'll learn how to support your child's emotional regulation and social emotional well-being while reinforcing your role as their adult guide.
Listen in to learn and get some tools to help your child navigate their emotions and become a resilient, respectful individual.
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Submit your comments and questions about Tara's Takes HERE
To learn more about how you can work with me submit a contact form HERE or email me at info@taragratto.ca
This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.
Part One:
Conflict and challenge is a part of life, it’s one of those uncomfortable truths in parenting, but it’s also something that’s worth sitting back and thinking about because how we handle conflict impacts our relationships, our ability to set boundaries and our general parenting experience.
In this episode I get you to reflect on your power struggles in a way that will help you change the dynamics around your power struggles.
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Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
To learn more about how you can work with me submit a contact form HERE or email me at info@taragratto.ca
This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.
It's time to get back into having some important conversations about parenting, education and life with kids!
If you are just joining me, this podcast used to be called Raising Resilient Children with Tara Gratto and I took some off to reflect on my goals moving forward and how I want to shape the vision of this podcast and the topics covered here. It's increasingly important to me that this is a space where diverse types of parents and caring adults can feel welcome and supported.
I haven't completely abandoned the RRC brand, I've just reset my vision. Raising Resilient Children is still the name of my Membership Community where my signature parenting program Building Resilience Through Kindness can be found. You can find more about that on my website HERE
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Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
To learn more about how you can work with me submit a contact form HERE or email me at info@taragratto.ca
This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is know when to say stop, especially when the world is telling you to keep going.
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Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
Jerome Cabanatan, the illustrator of The Adventures of Team Brain, and I recently hosted a school workshop where the kids asked such fantastic questions, I wanted to share them with you!
This look behind the creation of the book speaks to topics like: perseverance, making mistakes, communicating to reach a goal, employing conflict resolution skills as well as the process of working together on a project with a shared vision, but different skills.
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Save your spot in my next live workshop Building An Emotional Regulation Toolbox HERE
Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
For more information about the BRTK bundle click HERE
------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
Has your child ever refused to breathe in a difficult moment? Flat out lost their cool to the next level when you mirror their feelings or try to narrate what’s happening?
In this episode I cover 3 reasons why kids might refuse to use tools for their big feelings and how The Adventures of Team Brain can support you with making important connections in skill building.
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Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
Save your spot in my next live workshop Building An Emotional Regulation Toolbox HERE
For more information about the BRTK bundle click HERE
------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
This is a conversation every parent worried about their child's success needs to listen to.
Amy Yeung, a high school guidance counsellor, and I have been working with students and parents for over 20 years each. We have seen a lot in that time and want to share some thoughts about success with you. We are also parents of elementary and middle school children so understand the pressure of raising children in a world that is rapidly changing.
Topics we cover:
1) How academic focus and pressure in the early years translates to high school
2) What do report cards really mean & when do they matter
3) How does profession-based and post-secondary goal setting affect student success and outcomes
4) The world is changing, how can you find out what types of jobs might suit your child
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Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
Save your spot in my next live workshop Building An Emotional Regulation Toolbox HERE
For more information about the BRTK bundle click HERE
------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
You have feelings, your child has feelings and sometimes those feelings are coming out as unwanted behaviours or reactions.
The question I'm tackling in this episode, in our efforts to parent differently and make space for more feelings are we unwittingly making space for more unwanted or unkind behaviours.
The big and fancy term for this is emotional regulation, but what does that mean for parents.
Curious to learn more about how social emotional skills building can make some of your everyday challenges a little easier to navigate. Register for my new workshop: Building an Emotional Regulation Toolbox HERE
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Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
For more information about the BRTK bundle click HERE
------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
This week I am joined by special guest and picture book author Karen Autio of I Can, Too. In this episode we have a conversation about supporting inclusion and teaching children about disability and adaptive equipment.
We cover several important points, these are some of the highlights:
- Books as mirrors, windows and sliding glass doors
- The difference between empathy and sympathy
- Disability is not a bad word
- Adaptive equipment is an important tool for a disabled person, how to help children understand the importance of not touching
- Understand your role in inclusion and Karen's responsibility as disability adjacent creator
Important Links Shared in this Episode:
- Karen's personal Website
- Karen's Facebook Page
- Karen's Instagram Page
- Free downloadable parent and teacher resources for I CAN, TOO! on the Scholastic Canada website (scroll down to the Extras section): https://www.scholastic.ca/books/view/i-can-too
- Link to the all-abilities inclusive playground being built in West Kelowna, BC, that Karen is donating a portion of her royalties to: https://juliasjunction.ca/
Affiliate Note: Amazon book recommendations use affiliate links, which means I (Tara) get a small commission from the sale of each book.
- Purchase a copy of I Can, Too HERE
Authors Cited in this Episode:
- James Catchpole author of What Happened to You
- Amanda Leduc
- Lynn Miller Lachman
- Trudy Ludwig
I Can, Too is authored by Karen Autio, Illustrated by Laura Watson and Published by Scholastic
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Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
For more information about the BRTK bundle click HERE
------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
Once a month I record an episode dedicated to answering your questions.
This month I'm covering two great ones:
The first one is around how long do I have to try something as a parent before saying this didn't work for us? In other words, what does being consistent really mean when we are tackling something with our children?
The second one is about how to create and build more independent play.
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Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
For more information about the BRTK bundle click HERE
------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
Today I'm excited to be joined by Pediatric Sleep Consultant Lily Horbatiuk.
We are talking all things sleep and emotional regulation.
Lily is a Pediatric Sleep Consultant, Potty Training Consultant and “Oh Crap” Potty Training Specialist. She is the mama behind Lil Baby Sleep with two little one’s herself. She provides customized support to help parents conquer developmental milestones with ease.
You can find Lil Baby Sleep on Instagram or at her website
For more information about the BRTK bundle click HERE
Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
"When there's power struggles over choices, it's often a sign that our children (and sometimes us) can't handle the uncomfortable feelings that go with those."
If you've found yourself following the advice about giving children more choices and discovered this only worked for a short period of time, or possibly never worked at all this is the episode for you.
In this episode I dig into the idea that giving more choices probably isn't the solution to your underlying problem and how brain science isn't being applied consistently to explain children's behaviour.
For more information about the BRTK bundle click HERE
Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
Parenting, mess and children all seem to go together and sometimes the combination is fuelling our stress.
Today I'm joined by Tara Stewart to tackle a conversation about:
1) What defines clutter?
2) One of the most common topics we are asked about when it comes to children and toy organization is...what to do about stuffies?
3) Playroom organization tips and tools.
A little bit about Tara Stewart:
Tara is a professional home organizer and educator who helps families declutter without feeling overwhelmed and, without the side of guilt that comes with letting go of items you don't want.
Her passion is showing affordable, practical and functional organizing solutions that are easy for everyone in your family to maintain. She knows organizing is not "one size fits all" and how you organize your space and what you consider "clutter" should be as unique as you are.
If you loved this conversation and want to dig into another layer about crafts and LEGOS, be sure to check out Facebook Live HERE
For more information about the BRTK bundle click HERE
Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
Introducing a monthly episode set aside to answer your questions.
In my various roles in education people loved to asked me questions, especially when I owned a preschool. Here's your chance to send in questions and I will pick some to answer monthly. I'm really excited about this monthly feature episode and can't wait to see what questions you'll send!
As a note, I take privacy super seriously. I don't share names, pictures or distinguishable identifiers on my social media platforms or website.
You might have wondered why the only picture I share is me, this is actually why! So you can be sure I'll take your question submission privacy very seriously!
Submit your question HERE
In this episode I share an example of a question I was asked by Tara Stewart, a Professional Declutter and Home Organization Educator about helping grandparents and extended family with getting on board with buying and giving children less stuff!
For more information about the BRTK bundle click HERE
Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
If you’ve been following along I’ve been coming at 2023 with some pretty strong intentions. I’m a big thinker, a researcher… a questioner of status quo and I’m motivated by things that challenge me. It annoys some of the people in my life at times, but I’ve always been this way. It’s part of my charm, it’s also part of what shapes what I do here at Raising Resilient Children.
So in late Fall 2022 I hit a wall, a really big one! I was forced to stop and re-evaluate some things and that gave me some 'a-ha moments' as well as some actionable takeaways. This is episode is all about what lead to the burnout, stress and how I figured out I had more time in my day than I realized.
For more information about the BRTK bundle click HERE
Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
In this episode I'm digging into something a lot of parents are seeking to find, but are struggling to figure out. The idea that it's important to build a connected relationship with your children while still maintaining important and essential boundaries.
For more information about the BRTK bundle click HERE
Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
We like to buy solutions to our parenting problems.
Here’s my cautionary tale. Don’t buy the solutions to parenting challenges that are promising a quick fix. They don’t last because they aren’t tackling the underlying problem, missing skill or challenge. It’s a bandaid when you actually need stitches.
Behaviour, habits and social emotional skills are all things that require commitment, consistency and a bit of practice and patience.
For more information about the BRTK bundle click HERE
Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
In this episode I'm talking about the runaway snowball we all have and how creating an effective routine guided by predictability can help you manage your overwhelm.
I also dig into how mentioning the word routine tends to put parents off until we are able to take a deeper dive into understanding that I'm not suggesting rigidity, instead consistency that makes space for functional flexibility.
Ready to dive in a little deeper?
Check out my successful program, Building Resilience Through Kindness.
In this program I will teach you the skills you need, and help you implement the strategies to handle your daily parenting challenges.
You can do this and I can help you make it happen!
Check it out here
For more information about the BRTK bundle click HERE
Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
In my final episode for 2022 I tackle the idea that sometimes we need to stop and take a break. As someone who is passionate about parenting and being a small business owner I find this really really hard, but recently I was forced to do just this and in this episode I share a bit about what happened when I did.
I also wanted to round out the year with a highlight of some of my favourites as well as yours.
My favourites:
Episode 3: Information Overload in Modern Parenting
Episode 8: Building Tools for Feelings
Episode 9: Digital Safety and Children with Paul Davis
Yours:
Episode 18: Being Your Child's Safe Space Doesn't Mean They Can Treat You Unkindly
Episode 12: Parent Overwhelm and the Habit of Doing Too Much
Episode 22: Is Saying 'Be Careful' Really Not Specific Enough?
For more information about the BRTK bundle click HERE
Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
In today's episode I'm taking you back to when I was first influenced by the possibilities of picture books, why I value the importance of building tools and skills for feelings and how this book was influenced by a journey not a single moment in time.
The Adventures of Team Brain is about taking abstract concepts in brain science and emotional regulation and turning them into something playful and fun for children.
For more information about the BRTK bundle click HERE
Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
For today's episode I am hosting a special guest to talk about the relationship between Kindness to Self, Parenting and Food Culture.
I think it's important to give a little warning that this episode is digging into some challenging topics around body acceptance, food choices, diet culture, and food insecurity. I believe having important conversations is essential to learning more, and that not every topic is going to resonate 100%.
In this episode Lindsay and I have an amazing conversation around food culture and parenting, at times sharing very different perspectives, but aligned around some similar goals of fostering Kindness to Self, Kindness to the Planet and supporting parents with building awareness so they can make informed decisions for their family's needs.
Lindsay is a Canadian Registered Dietitian, founder of Proactive Health Nutrition a nutrition consultant business that serves people looking to take action on their overall health and well-being in an individualized and thoughtful way. As well as the creator of the FED Mamas program a supportive community and a plan that works to help you end generational diet culture, reconnect with your body and find food freedom. She believes kindness to self is one of the keys to stop feeling shame and guilt for your food choices and instead feel content, satisfied and in control.
For more information about the BRTK bundle click HERE
Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
Today I'm chatting with Kaitlin Johnstone, the co-founder of Kind Cotton about our shared vision to redefine Kindness.
We talk about the importance of moving away from the idea that Kindness is about being nice or being a people pleaser. Instead it's important to shift our understanding to being more empathetic in way that supports diverse audiences. The idea that Kindness is a concept that needs to be built with intention.
Kind Cotton is a clothing company dedicated to redefining kindness and putting books in the hands of kids. Their inclusive clothing helps to inspire others to rethink kindness as more than simple pleasantries, but rather take a deeper look into kindness being rooted in justice and grounded in action.
With every purchase made, a book is directly given to a child through the Kind Cotton Reading Program.
As part of my ongoing commitment to finding ways to support community literacy program I have donated a box of my book, The Adventures of Team Brain to their initiative.
For more information about the BRTK bundle click HERE
Submit your comments and questions about the Raising Resilient Children with Tara Podcast click here!
------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
This week’s topic is about handling the holidays, specifically things like Santa and that little Elf, without losing sight of tradition and joy.
One of the reasons I think about the holidays differently is because of my diverse upbringing. It’s also where I land with some of my parenting advice. It’s not about this or that, it’s about some of this and a little of that.
In this episode I also share some ideas for when you've already introduced some of the traditions and you are ready to rethink or maybe you have older children and you want to recenter their understanding.
Are you looking for a fun way to introduce emotional regulation and the importance of building tools for feelings. Grab your copy of, The Adventures of Team Brain, a comic picture book with a playful take on emotional regulation.
The Adventures of Team Brain was playfully brought to life by social emotional expert and founder of Raising Resilient Children Tara Gratto and Amazon Bestselling Cartoonist Jerome Cabanatan.
Order your copyHERE ------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
For more information about how to start your own podcast email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
Inspired by Jarrett's Graphic Novel Crash Course workshop that I took in the summer, I invited him to come on my podcast to extend that learning and experience with you.
In this episode we talked about the value and importance of exposing children to a range of books to enhance their learning and enjoyment of literacy. I shared a very honest reflection of what I used to believe about graphic novels and where I've reached and why.
“I want to convince kids who maybe aren't fully convinced yet, that reading can be a blast. And that it can also be something very positive and worthwhile to have in your life. For entertainment, and also for edification, for information for guidance, for comfort.”
Author-illustrator Jarrett Lerner is the award-winning creator of the EngiNerds series of Middle Grade novels, the Geeger the Robot series of early chapter books, the activity books Give This Book a Title and Give This Book a Cover, and The Hunger Heroes series of graphic novel chapter books.
Jarrett is also the creator of the forthcoming illustrated novel in verse A Work in Progress, the forthcoming set of Nat the Cat early readers, and more. All of Jarrett’s books are published by Simon & Schuster.
In addition to writing, drawing, and visiting schools and libraries across the country, Jarrett co-founded and co-organizes the #KidsNeedBooks and #KidsNeedMentors projects. He is also the founder and operator of Jarrett Lerner’s Creator Club.
He can be found at jarrettlerner.com and on Twitter and Instagram at @Jarrett_Lerner. He lives with his wife and daughters in Massachusetts.
Are you looking for a fun way to introduce emotional regulation and the importance of building tools for feelings. Grab your copy of, The Adventures of Team Brain, a comic picture book with a playful take on emotional regulation.
The Adventures of Team Brain was playfully brought to life by social emotional expert and founder of Raising Resilient Children Tara Gratto and Amazon Bestselling Cartoonist Jerome Cabanatan.
Order your copyHERE ------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
For more information about how to start your own podcast email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
The advice is clear.
Don’t say be careful, it’s not specific enough.
And after every single time you read that, you see this super detailed explanation of what you should say instead. So I got to thinking. Could I honestly say more than be careful in a cautious situation and should I actually be saying more?
In today's episode I tackle this question and address some of the layers that I think lead us to believe we need to craft everything that comes out of our mouths.
Are you looking for a fun way to introduce emotional regulation and the importance of building tools for feelings. Grab your copy of, The Adventures of Team Brain, a comic picture book with a playful take on emotional regulation.
The Adventures of Team Brain was playfully brought to life by social emotional expert and founder of Raising Resilient Children Tara Gratto and Amazon Bestselling Cartoonist Jerome Cabanatan.
Order your copyHERE ------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
For more information about how to start your own podcast email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
Just getting by in your parenting might be why things are so challenging and why things have slowly but surely built up to a place where you feel like you’re always chasing the snow ball.
In this episode I tackle a few different layers:
- You are doing amazing
- You don’t know nothing!
- The things you don’t know, well you never learned them
- It’s essential to take part two and put it together with part three to make informed choices
I'm building something new to support busy parents with tools and skills to show up the way they imagine.
Be there the first to know by joining my mailing list HERE
This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
For more information about how to start your own podcast visit their website or email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
Today I'm chatting with special guest Ashley Patrick of the Money Mindset Podcast & @budgetsmadeeasy.
We talk about how to navigate during one of the most stressful periods of time both financially and as a parent. There's some amazing overlaps and the tips and strategies we share will support you with tackling both!
In the episode Ashley shared her Free Holiday Planner - you can download your copy HERE
I'm building something new to support busy parents with tools and skills to show up the way they imagine. Be there the first to know by joining my mailing list HERE
This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
For more information about how to start your own podcast visit their website or email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
Social media is basically a giant resource for quick fixes.
When it comes to a new approach to parenting that validates feelings, there is a heavy focus on the validation part and a really light focus on the 'now what' part.
Let's talk about why validating feelings is important, but so is part 2.
Want to take the next step in becoming the parent you want to be?
Doors are OPEN for Building Resilience Through Kindness.
Enroll today by clicking HERE
This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
For more information about how to start your own podcast visit their website or email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
Okay, this episode I'm getting personal and sharing one of my biggest parent guilt triggers.
I think sometimes people think when you are an expert in something you have to be perfect or get every detail right. The reality is, I'm a parent too and I have my own set of challenges. One of them I'm sharing in today's episode about what happens when Parent Guilt, Halloween and Kindness to the Planet Collide?!
Want to join the FREE Parenting Toolkit Bootcamp?
Get started today by clicking HERE
This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
For more information about how to start your own podcast visit their website or email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
I've mentioned it here and there, today I'm really digging in and sharing more about my signature framework, the Language of Kindness.
Want to join the Parenting Toolkit Bootcamp?
Save your spot HERE
This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
For more information about how to start your own podcast visit their website or email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
We've all had those days where we feel defeated by parenting and think we are complete failures.
Something I learned along the way supporting parenting in my preschool, when you teach parents about SEL (social emotional learning), it makes everyone's life easier. You, your child and the communities they belong to.
In today's episode I'm tackling why you are your child's most important teacher, how to embrace that while building some essential life skills that will support you with navigating the ups and downs of parenting.
Want to join the Parenting Toolkit Bootcamp?
Save your spot HERE
This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
For more information about how to start your own podcast visit their website or email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
One of the most impactful workshops I gave this year was about Tricky Transitions so I thought I would share some of the highlights with you in today's episode.
The reality is, transitions are a big part of everyday parenting and also the things that makes parenting really challenging at times.
By understanding a little bit more about transitions and how you can support your child, you can make parenting that little bit easier to navigate.
Catch the workshop replay HERE
Enrol in the FREE 7 Day Parenting Toolkit Bootcamp HERE
This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
For more information about how to start your own podcast visit their website or email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
In this episode I'm sharing how you can use the stories of change makers to support building essential skills for social emotional well-being and resiliency with your children. By sharing the life stories of impactful individuals, children have an opportunity to learn from experiences that can help shape their ability to navigate different situations.
With the Terry Fox Run just around the corner, I wanted to share how his legacy stories can guide you with ways of fostering tools and skills for:
- growth mindset
- resiliency
- perseverance
- determination
I also introduce the idea that stories like these are an important way to have conversations with children around big topics like grief, cancer, terminal illness and dying.
It can be tempting to avoid difficult conversations, but when we actively build tools and skills with our children we are supporting them with navigating a whole range of experiences.
Something I shared was how books can help make these conversation more concrete, build them in age appropriate ways and take the pressure off.
Here are some of the recommendations I shared in the episode:
Run by Eric Walters (Middle School book)
Terry Fox: A Story of Hope by Maxine Trottier (age 5/6+)
Terry Fox and Me by Mary Beth Leatherdale & Milan Pavlovic (age 3+)
Book Pairs:
Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen.
Gentle Willow: A Story for Children About Dying by Joyce C Mills & Cary Pillo
Some of the books from a kids book about series:
a kids book about cancer by Dr Kelsie Storm & Sarah Porter
a kids book about grief by Brennan C Wood
a kids book about death by Taryn Schuelke
Stay in the loop about future podcast episode and when my course on "How to Talk to Children About the Dying Process, Grief & Death" by signing up for my mailing list HERE.
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This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
For more information about how to start your own podcast visit their website or email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
I cover a lot of ground in this episode because I think one of the leading causes of parenting exhaustion and overwhelm is that we are in the habit of doing too much for our children. Whether it's little things like unloading backpacks or the bigger things like developing independent play skills and tools for emotional regulation.
It's unintentional, but it snowballs before we realize it and suddenly you find yourself doing a lot more than you need to be. As a result you are exhausted and your child isn't building some essential life skills.
In this episode I'm focussing in on the importance of building in time for developing child responsibilities (chores) and some of the misconceptions people might have around how long these types of skills take to build, when things become habits and how our background and experience plays a role in development.
Ready to learn how building social emotional skills will make your everyday parenting easier. Check out my FREE ON-DEMAND Course Why Do I Lose My Cool HERE
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This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
For more information about how to start your own podcast visit their website or email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
In this episode I'm talking about something that not many people talk about. How YOU, the parent, is feeling about the process of Back-to-School. Especially those of you who have children starting school/daycare for the very first time or children headed off to high school.
A lot of what’s out there is focussed on supporting children and this is super important BUT, the reality is, transitions like this might be having a big impact on you as well because you have feelings too.
Let's dig into why this is important to talk about and how you can support yourself and your child through this process.
Ready to learn how building social emotional skills will make your everyday parenting easier. Check out my FREE ON-DEMAND Course Why Do I Lose My Cool HERE
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This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
For more information about how to start your own podcast visit their website or email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
As we are head back to school, a common topic I get asked is how to address our children's worry thoughts. So, today I'm talking about how you can start to support your children with building some skills for worries and whatifs using my three step framework.
3 Steps to Building Tools for Worries & Whatifs
- Identify them (label them)
- Learn about them (understand them)
- Build Tools for Them
As a part of learning about them I recommend using picture book to support your conversations.
You can find my latest blog on Books for Talking About Whatifs and Worries HERE
Curious to learn more about my program Building Resilience Through Kindness click HERE
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This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
For more information about how to start your own podcast visit their website or email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
In this episode I'm talking to Paul Davis, a Social Media and Cyberbullying Educator about keeping our children safe online and in the digital world.
Our conversation focusses on 4 main topics:
1) Sharing Pictures
We tackle some important thoughts to consider when posting pictures of children on-line. Paul outlines a strategy for sharing pictures in a way that will protect your child's on-line privacy.
2) Using Platforms like YouTube
Paul shares his three pillars for online safety when it comes to elementary school kids to help guide you with supporting your child.
3) Cell Phones
We talk about Paul's recommended age, strategies for what to do in the mean time and alternatives to smart phones!
4) Privacy and Individuality
Paul shares his thoughts on choices around privacy and safety and what parents need to consider to keep their children safe.
Where to find Paul:
Presentations for Students, Educators, Parents & Law Enforcement.
Paul Davis - www.socialnetworkingsafety.net
Twitter: @pauldavisSNS
Web: www.socialnetworkingsafety.net
Instagram: @followpauldavis
Newsletter sign up: https://mailchi.mp/9753d54aaa82/pdnewsletter
For more information on how to connect with me you can email me at info@taragratto.ca or follow me on Instagram at Raising Resilient Children
-------------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.
For more information about how to start your own podcast visit their website or email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
Last week in the Back-to-School Special episode about Preparing for Kindergarten one of the topics that came up was importance of helping children communicate their feelings.
As children head back to school and their busy classroom communities, being able to identify their feelings and know what to do when they have those feelings is a really important part of building relationships. Relationships with their peers, their teachers and themselves.
It's also an essential component of emotional regulation. The reality is, we all have feelings, but we don't all have tools for them. It starts with being able to identify them!
In this episode I'm sharing how you can start building a feelings vocabulary in your home using one of the strategies I teach in my program Building Resilience Through Kindness. It's super easy, effective and doesn't require any additional resources.
-------------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio. For more information about how to start your own podcast visit their website or email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
When I asked my community on IG what topics they would like me to cover in a Back-to-School Special, several people asked me to speak about the transition from Middle School to High School.
I knew right away that I needed to invite my friend and colleague Amy Yeung to join me for this conversation.
Our combined expertise and extensive experience with facilitating transitions provided an amazing framework for what to expect when your child is moving from Middle to High School. There are also elements of this conversation that cover families with children moving from Junior to Middle School.
So, to round out my Back-to-School Podcast Special I’ll be tackling Transitioning to High School. We'll be talking about the kinds of things you can be doing to support your children through this process, in particular by raising are awareness of the difference between adult expectations and teen perspectives.
If you want to take the next step in setting yourself up for success this school year, enrol in my mini-course The Art of Saying Goodbye. You will learn how to build a customized goodbye routine, how to gather parent clues to handle the ‘one mores’ and the importance of developing an understanding of goodbye with your child.
Enrol by clicking the link here -------------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio. For more information about how to start your own podcast visit their website or email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
If you have a child starting Kindergarten this episode is not to be missed.
As a former preschool owner, I've supported lots of families with this shift and I thought it would be fun and informative to sit with a veteran Kindergarten teacher to have a conversation about how you can support your children with this shift.
Our conversation focuses in on actionable strategies to support three areas:
1) Independence
2) Speaking for Needs
3) Self-Regulation
If you want to take the next step in setting yourself up for success this school year, enrol in my mini-course The Art of Saying Goodbye. You will learn how to build a customized goodbye routine, how to gather parent clues to handle the ‘one mores’ and the importance of developing an understanding of goodbye with your child.
Enrol by clicking the link here ------In the episode I share one of the strategies from my program Building Resilience Through Kindness for building skills for emotional regulation and I also note that I would include some of my favourite books in the show notes.
Book recommendations for building a Feelings Vocabulary:
*Make sure to follow me on IG where I'll be sharing tips and reading strategies to support you this month! Follow me HERE
The Way I Feel by Janan Cain (all the feelings)
Brave Everyday by Trudy Luwig & Patrice Barton (whatifs/worries/fear/bravery)
When Sadness is at Your Door by Eva Eland (sadness)
The Unbudgeable Curmudgeon by Matthew Burgess & Fiona Woodcock (grumpy/annoyed/mad/conflict resolution)
KINDergarten by Vera Ahiyya & Joey Chou (kindness, language of play, sharing) -------------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio. For more information about how to start your own podcast visit their website or email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
Part of setting you and your child up for drop-off success is creating a Goodbye Routine.
Whether you are starting school for the first time or heading back-to-school, a Goodbye Routine will give you the tools and skills you need for a smoother transition and it will continue to support you throughout the school year.
As we shift from summer mode to school mode, there's a lot of changes and transitions that happen. Routines at home change, there's new routines at school as children are getting used to new teachers, new peers, new schedules, new learning models…
One of the the ways to easiest ways to navigate any big transition like this is to create some predictability.
Goodbye Routines help ensure you:
- Set an expectation for what it will look like when you part ways.
- Create a clear action plan for leaving your child (saying goodbye)
- Meet your child's needs in a clear and consistent way (avoid the one mores)
If you want to take the next step in setting yourself up for success this school year, enrol in my mini-course The Art of Saying Goodbye. You will learn how to build a customized goodbye routine, how to gather parent clues to handle the ‘one mores’ and the importance of developing an understanding of goodbye with your child.
Enrol by clicking the link here -------------This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio. For more information about how to start your own podcast visit their website or email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
Navigating all the information and advice out there has become an overwhelming task in modern parenting.
If you are a parent who is reading all the books, trying to keep up with all the right social media accounts and are still left wondering why things aren't working or why they only work for a short period of time. This is the episode for you!
Curious to learn a bit more about how social emotional skill building can help make everyday parenting easier?
Get started with a FREE On-Demand Workshop here -> Why Do I Lose My Cool?
This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio. For more information about how to start your own podcast visit their website or email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
In today’s episode I’m sharing a great strategy for children going to daycare, school, extra-curricular activities, summer programs… Basically any time you need to drop your child off somewhere new OR somewhere that they are no longer excited about going.
Working as a preschool owner taught be a lot about so many things and when I reflect back on my career as a K-12 educator I realize many of the things aren’t just exclusive to early years.
One of them is the topic I’m going to speak about today: why the promise of FUN doesn’t always work for big changes or transitions.
Here's the bonus. Even if the 'it's going to be so much fun' approach has worked to date, the strategy I share in today's episode covers another really important piece of parenting. It's an easy and effective way for you to build connected conversations with your child that will take you beyond, how was your day?
For more information on this strategy you can check out my Blog: Gearing Up For Drop-Off.
Want to catch a replay of my transitions workshop, you can find that here.
Have questions? You can reach me at info@taragratto.ca
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This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio. For more information about how to start your own podcast visit their website or email mike@cardinalstudio.co.
When I was reflecting on starting this podcast it seemed fitting that I begin by sharing what it means to raise resilient children.
In this episode I tackle the importance of social emotional well-being and how it relates to fostering resilience. I dig into the idea that parenting isn't a cookie cutter so every family has unique needs, but the fact we co-exist is a really important element of striking balance.
Resilience has become an overused word in the pandemic era, and often incorrectly. In this episode I address this and why it's important to remain committed to fostering skills for resiliency with children.
For more information on how to connect with me you can find me at www.taragratto.ca or send me email: info@taragratto.ca
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This podcast is produced, mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio. For more information about how to start your own podcast visit their website or email mike@cardinalstudio.co.