As parents, there are many times when we actively have to psych ourselves up: like in the terrifying moments after a child hits their head and you have to go into superhero mode (it's ok, Mommy will take care of this!) The same goes for our kids—there are inevitably times when they have been upset by something, like a friend leaving them out, or being bullied on the playground.  By guiding them through some simple affirmations, which they can repeat to themselves in or after those incidents, we can help them feel safe, and more confident in themselves, according to Ella Sims, founder of Becoming Women. Sims shared two variations with Hopscotch—one that's appropriate for 5 to 8 year olds and another that's for 9 to 12 year olds. Play them for your kids and encourage them to repeat those phrases to themselves when they are struggling in social situations. 

Try These Affirmations With Your 5-8 Year Old Child

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Try These Affirmations with Your 9-12 Year Old Child

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If you tell your kids, “let’s bond as a family!” they may look at you funny or roll their eyes. BUT if you ask them to play a scavenger game together, that might go over better! (What child doesn’t love a scavenger hunt?!)

This one is extra special, though: Developed by our Head of Clinical Programming Andrew Jatau, who is a licensed professional counselor, it prompts players to bond with family members by asking them sentimental questions such as, “Who makes your favorite holiday dish?” 

Watch Hopscotch educator and licensed play therapist Dr. April Duncan how to play then download the article to do it with your family!

Download the worksheet here. 

Find Greater Meaning in the Holiday Madness

As parents, we put a lot of expectations on ourselves to make the holidays perfect and memorable, but what do the holidays truly mean to you? What family traditions, values, and experiences make this season special? In this meditation, Ella Sims, founder of Becoming Women, takes you through an exercise to ground you in what matters most during this hectic season. 

Studies show that setting goals for time off from work and school can increase levels of happiness and satisfaction. The download below contains a packet of exercises to engage every member of your family to make this a joyful holiday season.

Download holiday activity packet here.

Help Your Child Practice Gratitude This Holiday Season

Numerous studies show that teaching children about gratitude and how to feel grateful for the things they have can have mental health benefits and decrease negative mental health outcomes, like anxiety and depression.

Our Head of Clinical Programming and Licensed Professional Counselor, Andrew Jatau, developed this Gratitude Jar activity to help kids practice what they are grateful for. 

Click the button below to download and print the worksheet.

Feeling crafty? You can also create a physical version - all you need is a jar and slips of paper! View a video tutorial on how to create a Gratitude Jar on our Youtube page here. 

We wrote about other activities that you can do with your child to increase their experience of gratitude in this blog post here. 

We all have those feelings at times … the overwhelming ones, the uncomfortable ones, the ones we just want to get away from. For kids in particular, experiencing big feelings can be a major challenge. Written by Hopscotch Contributor Lauren Stockly, Be Mindful of Monsters is a story about the importance of accepting our emotions—even the icky ones—and learning what those feelings are trying to tell us. Read this book with your child to help them understand and cope with big feelings!

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About the Author

Meet Lauren

Lauren Stockly is a child and adolescent mental health therapist with nearly 10 years of experience. After earning her MSW from UCLA, Lauren went on to become certified as a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S) and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist (ECMHS). Her practice integrates Play Therapy and Mindfulness with a range of insight-oriented and evidence-based techniques. In addition to her specialization in EMDR/trauma therapy, Lauren is launching a line of bilateral stimulation tools designed to enhance emotional regulation, attention and processing. Lauren serves on the California Association for Play Therapy’s Executive Board and also runs the popular blog CreativePlayTherapist.com.

Access Dozens of Free Be Mindful of Monsters Activities for Kids!

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