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    Kids Coping Lab

    kidscopinglab

    Shea, OT and Dr. Meryl, PhD
    This book is a new favorite! If you’re looking f This book is a new favorite! If you’re looking for a way to address: ~Self-esteem ~Self-reliance ~Sense of self and confidence in self ~Freedom to be yourself and pursue your interests ...... then you need to check out this book! Kids will also love how the illustrations are colorfully vibrant and detail-oriented! Have you read this book? If so, what goals do you use it to address? #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #socialemotionallearning #copingskillsforkids #thucrew #childpsychology
    We’ve all likely said “no,” “don’t do th We’ve all likely said “no,” “don’t do that,” “be careful,” etc to children and outwardly, these phrases don’t appear to be harmful. However, when children hear these phrases over and over, they may begin to: lose trust in their decisions, become weary of their own problem-solving abilities, not feel equipped to take chances on their own. What can we say instead? Instead of “don’t do that”-When you lean back in your chair like that, it makes me nervous that you might fall. Can you please leave the legs on the ground? Instead of “no”- We need to leave the house in 5 minutes, let’s set this book right here and we will read it when we return. Instead of “be careful”- Your body is working hard when you balance on that ledge, as you walk, notice where your feet go next. It may take time and practice, but think positive, think promoting self-reliance, and think nurturing relationships by providing explanations. Do you have any other suggested terms or phrases you use with kids? We’d love to discuss below! #copingskillsforkids #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #childpsychology #thucrew #socialemotionallearning
    EMOTION VOCABULARY ACTIVITY! “I Am Human: A Boo EMOTION VOCABULARY ACTIVITY! “I Am Human: A Book of Empathy” is a beautiful book highlighting how everyone is a unique individual, yet we all experience emotions and have feelings. This is one of our favorite books to use for expanding emotional vocabulary and/or introducing emotion concepts. For this activity, we used diverse cut-out people and wrote down any feeling or emotion word the child identified while reading the story. Resilience was a theme that I pulled from this story as it related to one of the child’s goals. There are many ways to differentiate this activity and extend the concepts into play-based learning. A few that come to mind include: -Using a diverse doll set during and after reading the story to further prompt play and provide a hands-on, tactile component -Focusing on one term or emotion-related word, such as empathy and emphasizing this during the session by including additional therapeutic activities related to empathy -Giving the child colored play doh in diverse skin tones to play with while reading the book and to promote tactile-based learning during extension activities We hope you have a chance to check out this book and please let us know if you have any additional ways you might use this book therapeutically! #socialemotionallearning #childpsychology #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #copingskillsforkids #thucrew
    We have another social-emotional book recommendati We have another social-emotional book recommendation! “What do you do with a problem?” is a helpful introduction to problem-solving for kids. Here are 3 reasons why we love it: 1. It tackles worrying about problems and how this can manifest and impact solving a problem. 2. The problem-solving in this book is child-directed by the main character, a young boy. The focus is on how he works to persevere and work through his problem by using his own skills and abilities. 3. The ending is open-ended. The conclusion in this book provides a strong opportunity to apply each child’s own unique problems to the story and provides a springboard to discuss the many ways problems can be addressed and managed. Have you read this book? Let us know how you use it in therapy below or in DMs, we’d love to discuss! #problemsolvingforkids #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #copingskillsforkids #childpsychology #socialemotionallearning #mentalhealthliteracy
    Which strategies can we use as parents, educators, Which strategies can we use as parents, educators, and mental health professionals on a daily or routine basis to help promote emotion regulation in children? -Set expectations for tasks. By setting realistic and consistent expectations, a child understands what is required of them to complete a task, which leads to greater self-competency. -Be aware of any anticipated changes in routine or schedule or potentially triggering events and provide advanced warning to the child if possible. If not possible, validate the child’s needs and assist with co-regulation and accessing coping skills. -Check your own emotional state. Being aware of your own emotional state can help you determine your ability to assist with co-regulation. Two people in a high state of emotional arousal will not be able to regulate together. Introspection is essential and recognizing the need for self-care or coping in yourself is crucial! We’d love to hear any additional strategies you use on a routine basis, discuss with us below! #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #socialemotionallearning #copingskillsforkids #mentalhealthawareness #childhoodmentalhealth #childpsychology
    “Jabari Jumps” is one of our favorite summer-t “Jabari Jumps” is one of our favorite summer-themed books to incorporate into therapy. Some of the prominent themes include: -Perseverance and overcoming fears -Setting goals and having confidence in yourself -Using self-talk as a coping skill Have you read this book? Do you have other summer-themed books that you use to address social-emotional goals? Let us know below! #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #copingskillsforkids #socialemotionallearning #childpsychology #childrensbooks #jabarijumps
    We are continuing to pause our content as we take We are continuing to pause our content as we take some time to reflect, learn, and grow. We will continue to share important resources related to our journey of reflection in stories. Thank you ❤️ #blacklivesmatter
    Often, when a child expresses fear or anxiety, som Often, when a child expresses fear or anxiety, some of the most common responses include: “you’re fine,” “you’re ok,” “there’s nothing to be scared of,” etc. Responses like these are generally well-intentioned, however they significantly downplay and undermine what the child is experiencing. By responding with “you’re fine,” the child begins to question if feeling anxious is normal, if their fears are justified, or even if expressing their feelings is a safe thing to do. What are some phrases to use that are helpful? -“I can hear in your voice that you sound worried, I’m here for you and would like to help you feel safe.” “You are clenching your hands, which makes me think you are scared, is there anything we can do together to help you feel better?” “You are saying you feel anxious and I understand how this situation may make you feel that way. I am here for you if you’d like to talk about it more or use X strategy to help you feel more calm.” Bottom line, allow the child discuss their worries or fears, validate their feelings, help ground them by establishing they are safe, and offer support to help calm their anxiety. Do you have additional ways you respond when a child expresses anxiety? Let us know below! #childmentalhealth #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #copingskillsforkids #socialemotionallearning #childhoodanxiety #thucrew
    “Your Favorite Color” is one of my favorite mi “Your Favorite Color” is one of my favorite mindfulness scripts from the book “Breathe Like a Bear.” This is a great script to help children with calming their bodies. To make it more hands on, I let the child choose paints in their favorite color or colors. They are able to paint freely while I read the script. This is a simple way to add a movement component to mindfulness, as well as a tactile experience and promotion of creativity. The best part is when a child explains their process and I can see firsthand how extending this activity further helps solidify those important mindfulness skills! Do you like to extend your mindfulness activities? Would love to discuss below or DM! #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #mindfulnessforkids #copingskillsforkids #emotionregulation #socialemotionallearning #playbasedlearning
    How are free play and mental health in children re How are free play and mental health in children related? When a child is given opportunities to engage in free or independent play, they are able to work on the following skills: -Personal problem-solving, including trial and error, planning, risk-taking, judgment, etc. -Free will and choice -Creativity -Exploration of personal interests A child who receives these opportunities in play will be more likely to develop a solid sense of self and self-esteem. On the other hand, a child who has not been given these opportunities may be more susceptible to developing mental health issues. This is because of the profound effects that play-based opportunities have on a child’s developing brain. The takeaway point-promote play and allow children to freely play whenever possible. This sets them up for positive brain development and in turn, better mental health outcomes. #playmatters #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #copingskillsforkids #thucrew #playbasedlearning #mentalhealthawareness #socialemotionallearning
    We love sharing our favorite children’s books, a We love sharing our favorite children’s books, as books are a playful way to introduce or discuss topics related to emotion regulation and feelings. “Today I Feel...An Alphabet of Feelings” is simplistic, yet powerful! In this book, each letter of the alphabet is assigned a different feeling or emotion word. We use this book to provide education on emotions and to help kids expand their emotional vocabulary. The vibrant pictures almost always spark additional conversations and provoke questions from kids! Are you familiar with this book? Have you found any new favorite children’s books lately? We’d love to discuss below! #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #copingskillsforkids #socialemotionallearning #childpsychology #emotionregulation
    Pediatric OTs- we need your feedback! We are worki Pediatric OTs- we need your feedback! We are working on product development and would love to hear from you. Let us know below or send us a direct message...what types of resources would you find helpful when addressing social/emotional goals with the children you work with? Thank you for your time, all feedback is appreciated!
    Co-regulation can be a difficult term for some kid Co-regulation can be a difficult term for some kids to understand. One child I (Shea) worked with had just welcomed a new baby sibling and was very interested in talking about this. I used this as a way to help him understand co-regulation. We talked about how when a baby is fussy or needs to have a need met, the parent uses a variety of strategies to help the baby calm down. This might include rocking, swaying, or bouncing the baby. This also might mean going to a quiet, dark room. Maybe the parent says “shhh” over and over in a low voice or sings a lullaby or turns on white noise. These are all tools the parent uses to help the baby get to a calm state. This explanation clicked with this specific child and made it easier to address the skill of co-regulation with his parents. If you are working with a child who is able to think more abstractly or use metaphors, a brain diagram is always helpful. With the brain diagram, explaining how the co-regulator must be the child’s “frontal lobe” while the child is dysregulated is another way to educate. Basically, the co-regulator must be able to use judgment, problem-solving, planning, etc until the child has reached a lower arousal state and may be able to join in on this process. Have you used any specific examples or techniques to provide psychoeducation about co-regulation? We’d love to hear below! #childpsychology #schoolsocialworker #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #schoolcounselorsofinstagram #copingskillsforkids #coregulation #emotionregulation
    After a child has gone through a dysregulating eve After a child has gone through a dysregulating event, first focus on re-connecting with the child before engaging in any type of reflecting or processing of behavior. For some, it might take a conscious effort to implement this process. Often, the first response is to discuss why the child engaged in a certain behavior or potentially jump straight to outlining consequences. For many reasons, this is not the most effective response. The primary reason is that the brain takes some time to switch from high arousal to being able to access higher-level thinking. A child simply doesn’t have the ability to engage in problem-solving immediately following dysregulation. Find a way to show your presence, get down to the child’s level, offer a chance for them to use a calming tool, or simply just sit and be available. This will actually lead to more effective problem-solving when it is appropriate. Do you have additional strategies you use to re-connect? Let us know below! #childpsychology #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #schoolcounselorsofinstagram #schoolsocialworker #copingskillsforkids
    For those OTs, counselors, special educators, and For those OTs, counselors, special educators, and mental health therapists currently providing teletherapy to young children-what resources have you found to be most helpful? We’d love to hear more about what you’re using and finding success with! We’ve found creative ways to use the Zones of Regulation curriculum, Welcome to Willabee flashcard set, and of course, a lot of movement and sensory input using what’s available in the child’s home environment. Today, I (Dr. Willert) used our flashcard set by reading the dialogue from the manual to the child and showing the visuals via my screen. I was able to send the PDF version of the character beforehand for the child’s parent to print off. This made a huge difference in the child’s engagement! Please share below what resources you’re using, it’s important now more than ever to learn from each other! #telehealth #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #schoolcounselorsofinstagram #schoolsocialworker #childpsychology #copingskillsforkids
    Books are one of the most effective therapeutic mo Books are one of the most effective therapeutic modalities to use with children, both in-person and via telehealth. A few reasons we love books for therapy- they can help build therapeutic rapport, they are a non-threatening way to discuss concepts that may be difficult to talk about or abstract, and they can be a springboard for play and important therapeutic work. “The Rabbit Listened” is on the top of our list for social-emotional based children’s books. This book features a young child who is presented with a frustrating situation. Animals are used to introduce a variety of coping mechanisms. And our favorite part is that the topic of co-regulation is integrated into the solution at the end of the book. The therapeutic opportunities are endless! Do you use children’s books in therapy? Share some of your favorites below! #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #schoolcounselorsofinstagram #telehealth #schoolsocialworker #copingskillsforkids #playtherapykit #childpsychology
    Independent play is often a goal area that parents Independent play is often a goal area that parents prioritize for their children. It’s important to highlight that there are many steps children must take before they reach full independent play. However, there are strategies that parents can implement from toddlerhood that will help children develop the skill of playing independently. Here are three: 1. Limit the amount of toys in a child’s play area. Too many options can be overstimulating and overwhelming for children. Try starting with 4-6 toy options and place them all within the child’s reach and line of sight. This promotes ease of access and provides some structure to play, which will lead to productive independent play. 2. Set up an invitation to play. This involves setting up toys and materials in a way that is enticing to a child. For example, setting out a basket of a few blocks on a tray with some toy cars and popsicle sticks. This is goal-directed and still allows for creativity. 3. Provide a play prompt. Pick a book, favorite show, or potential problem and present it to the child to stimulate play. For example, in the book “The 3 Little Pigs,” the pigs build a variety of houses. A play prompt would involve reading the book with the child and then asking the child if they could build a house like the characters in the book. The play environment then might include toys such as blocks, magnetic tiles, animal figurines, etc to extend the play opportunities. Do you have additional ways you promote independent play in children? Let us know below! #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #independentplay #schoolcounselorsofinstagram #childpsychology #playmatters
    If you’re new to using a telehealth platform to If you’re new to using a telehealth platform to provide therapy to children at this time, there is definitely a learning curve! We all entered our professions because of our desire to connect with others and positively impact lives. Many of us thrive off of the face-to-face therapeutic relationship, so telehealth may not immediately feel natural. If you are looking for tools to use with kids during this time and beyond, please check out our web-based therapy tool, Welcome to Willabee. There are characters and concepts to address a variety of areas including anger, anxiety, depression, self-talk, thinking strategies, etc. To learn more, you can click the link in our bio and select “web-based therapy tool.” On the main webpage, there is also a link to a YouTube channel, where you can watch product demos. As always, please reach out directly if you have any questions. We are happy to help in any way! #teletherapy #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #schoolcounselorsofinstagram #schoolsocialworker #childpsychology #specialeducation #specialneeds
    There are many sample schedules floating around th There are many sample schedules floating around the internet, outlining how these days at home with our children could look. The intent behind these is always pure and genuine, to provide structure in a time of stress and uncertainty. And yes, children do typically thrive on structure. However, please keep in mind that during this time, it is ok to give yourself some grace. During times like these, our children need us to just “be.” They need us to be present, to be able to answer questions, to be available to them for support, to play with them, laugh with them, read to them, and grow with them. This is all uncharted territory for everyone and in the midst of this time, please take a second to just breathe and be present with the kids in your life! ❤️ #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #schoolcounselorsofinstagram #teletherapy #childpsychology #schoolsocialworker
    As we enter a new week likely filled with some anx As we enter a new week likely filled with some anxiety and uncertainty, it’s important to remember how we can help kids feel grounded during this time. Here are some strategies to keep in mind. -Answer their questions. By answering a child’s questions, you are validating their feelings and helping manage some of their anxiety. Uncertainty often promotes anxiety, so answering their questions and providing them with accurate and thoughtful answers will help ease this. -Be open about how you are coping. We are a child’s role models. They are watching how we respond in situations like this. By engaging in your own coping skills, you are showing them how to respond in times of stress. -Promote routine and consistency whenever possible. Children thrive off of predictability and routine and when this is thrown off, anxiety can start to take over. If children are at home or in another care setting due to school closure, making the attempt to develop a flexible routine is important. A less daunting way to start this is by selecting categories or activities to be completed each day and filling them in during appropriate times. For example, academic time, outdoor time, alone/quiet time, free play time, etc. What are some other ways we can help kids feel grounded during times of uncertainty? Please join in the conversation below! #childmentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #schoolcounselorsofinstagram #schoolsocialworker #childpsychology
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