Play for Progress: Encourage creative playtime that nurtures imagination and problem-solving skills. One of the things I did with my sons and my grandchildren, was make up stories that stimulated creative problem solving. They LOVED it and begged for MORE!! Example ….You’re up in a tree house and a fire breaks out. How do you get down safely? You are on a boat and the motor stops. …..how do you get help? In this day and age when pressing a button solves all your problems, kids are not asked to USE THEIR BRAIN!! Their thinking and like a muscle….if you don’t use it you lose it. And remember a MOVING body also stimulates the brain. LIMIT their screen time and get them outside MOVING!!! Routine Reigns Supreme: Establish consistent daily routines to create a sense of security and structure. Think about all the routines YOU have and don’t they make your life easier? You don’t THINK about brushing your teeth ….you just do it….before bed…after you et etc. That frees up energy to do more productive and creative things. For children routines are crucial for they provide them with a sense of control by being able to PREDICT the events in their world, leading to a sense of safety and security. When they can count on being fed at a certain time each day they feel safe……they are not going to starve!! Routine bedtimes are also necessary so their bodies get into a rhythm and biologically we are all needing that routine which is best when tuned into nature. Check out circadium rhythms. Encourage Curiosity: Foster an environment where questions are welcomed—curiosity leads to learning Years ago research indicated that children were asked frequently ….What do you what to do…BE when you grow up ….were much more successful. 24/7 ask your child questions, not only to spark their curiosity, but also because it triggers the RAS The Reticular Activating System, which is a bit like a google search . When asked a question the RAS will search for the answer……and answers are often WITHIN. Passive learning is quickly forgotten, but when the answers come from within ….we do remember them. Good questions often start with…WHAT IF or IF YOU KNEW…..or WHAT IS A BETTER WAY….etc. AND don’t forget to reward a child for his or her questions. Some parents get annoyed with constant questioning……that is YOUR problem…not the child’s Encourage it and reward it. Model Mindfulness: Practice mindful moments together, teaching resilience and emotional regulation. Remind your child whenever challenged, frustrated or disappointed that they have a CHOICE!! They have a choice how they respond to various external events that may not be what they wanted to expected. YUP…..they can yell, scream, cry or get angry or they can remain calm and choose how TO CHANGE things. This where the creative problem solving comes back into play. To help them learn self control, you need to have physical triggers that are associated with positive emotional responses. For example. When a child is relaxed and happy, anchor that positive emotional state in their mind and associate it with slow deep breathing. Then when upset, suggest they take three deep breaths that will allow them to experience how they felt when they were happy, calm and relaxed They can rehearse this calm, and in control emotional state by using visualization exercises. ( Od have such exercises as part of my I Believe I Can Fly! program for children which will actually teach them emotional control while building character. You can check it out at WingsforWishes.com). Other triggers include ….counting to 10 or whenever they sip their water or juice…….they experience a sense of calm and control. You can also designate a certain space, such as a particular CHAIR…and instruct your child …that when they sit in the chair….they immediately feel happy, calm and confident. Neuron that fire together…..wire together. It will eventually just happen!! Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize and praise even minor achievements to build confidence and self-esteem. Reading Rockets: Make reading a daily habit; it expands vocabulary and ignites imagination. Set Limits, Show Love: Create boundaries with clear expectations; it helps children feel safe and understood. Challenge with Choices: Offer options within limits to empower decision-making and independence. Learn Through Play: Utilize games and activities to teach problem-solving and critical skills in a fun way. Make Mistakes Together: Embrace failures as learning opportunities; show children how to persevere. Rather than be quick to punish, be quick to teach and that may include asking your child to be responsible for corrective action. For example. Rather than a TIME OUT…where you ask your child to sit in the corner and BREW and stiff up MORE anger and resentment. Instead practice TIME IN….Ask your child to sit quietly and reflect on the situation and their CHOICE of how to respond. Then ask then, if they can write or print, a list of better more constructive responses. Get together and discuss their list and offer your help.and certainly add to their list. Connect Through Communication: Establish open lines of dialogue to encourage emotional expression and connection. Encourage Empathy and Kindness:: Teach kids to understand and consider others’ feelings through role-playing scenarios. Remember the old saying, “walk a mile in my shoes.” Role playing and puppetry are great ways to experience the perceptions and emotional state of another. Caring for a pet is another way to develop empathy. Also, if a child is mean to another, ask your child how he or she feels when other people call him names or are unkind. Teach how to apologize and check for sincerity. It is wise to give assistance with ideas of how one can be kind and caring and of course ask your child how they might have handled a situation differently where more compassion might be shown. Exercise Emotional Expression: Help children articulate their emotions through art, music, or storytelling. Cultivate Responsibility: Assign age-appropriate chores to instill work ethic and accountability. Family Time Is Key: Prioritize quality family bonding time to strengthen relationships and trust. 16. Role Play for Success: Did you know that children and teens who are in plays and do drama are more successful. “Act the way you want to be and you will be the way you act”, You may have also heard “fake it until you make it.” There is truth to those cliches as when a child takes on different roles it expands their awareness and perspective on various situations so they can adapt and be spontaneous. You may have heard of the Raikoff Effect. In his research, Raikoff, a Russian Scientist, had children play the piano like Mozart or paint like Picassos….and guess what…their skill and performance instantly improved. Have your child act out or play the role of Oprah or Einstein and BINGO…..magic happens!! Games for Growth: Use educational games that hone critical thinking and collaboration with peers. While some games and play can be just for fun and giggles, do also encourage checkers and chess. In fact, chess players ….higher IQ? Games like Pictionary and mimes are fun, but also spark creative and accelerated thinking. Obviously, most sports instill team cooperation. But also build resilience and skills in how to deal with loss and disappointment. Hmmm my own personal opinion is to think twice about football. I am not sure our brain is bult for concussions. Explore Nature, It Nurtures! Take frequent outings to nature—being outdoors stimulates creativity and wellness. It establishes healthy habits at the right time Walking, hiking and having and developing interests in the environment encourages our young ones to respect it and appreciation for Limit Screen Time: Set boundaries on electronic device usage to encourage active engagement with the world. Celebrate Diversity: Teach cultural awareness and the importance of different perspectives to foster inclusivity.