Take a Tour of my Play Therapy Room

Take a peek inside my play therapy room. Every item in this room has been carefully selected and not just collected. Learn what toys and materials a child needs to explore their world, express their feelings and find creative solutions to problems. 

Grab Your Hat and Read With the Cat!

March 2, 2012 is the 108th anniversary of the birth of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known to the world as Dr. Seuss. In honor of Dr. Seuss the National Education Association has adopted March 2nd as the annual date for Read Across America.

Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing together kids, teens, and books. Seussville has guides and activities to celebrate reading with young people.

Observe the day by reading Dr. Seuss books to your child. Your child might even enjoy dressing like his favorite Seuss character.

Here are some of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes:

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself, any direction you choose."

"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way."

"Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you. "

Helping Children Understand Divorce

Divorce is a difficult adjustment for children and parents. Everyone in the family will be dealing with a variety of emotions. Despite their own challenges with the divorce process parents need to understand how divorce affects their children.  

Much of what children understand about divorce depends on their age. At each age, there are certain feelings and reactions that children will experience. They may experience anger, anxiety and depression. You may even see regressive behaviors. It's important to be aware of how your child may be affected so you can respond appropriately and help your child navigate through this stressful time. 

What Do Children Need to Know about Divorce?

• It's not their fault

•  Their parents will love them forever

• Their parents will continue to take care of them

• Some things will change and some things will stay the same  

What Do Children Worry About?

• If they'll have to move or change school

• How family occasions and holidays will be celebrated

• The parent who is leaving    

• That they'll have to choose one parent over the other

How Can Parents Help Children During a Divorce?

• Answer their questions. Respond honestly and in an age-appropriate way

• If you don't know the answers tell them that when you find out they'll be the first to know

• Provide a consistent, predictable routine

• Don't say bad things about the other parent

• Assure your children things will work out and they won't always be sad or angry

For children there is a lot of uncertainly about what life will look like after their parents split up. Be confident that you and your children can navigate this transition. Reassure them and show them that they can count on their parents to provide stability and love throughout their lives.

Simple Ways to Tell Your Child, "I Love You!"

If you’re a parent you probably do something special on Valentine’s Day to show your children them how much you love them.  Sometimes those little reminders go by the wayside the rest of the year. Here are some simple ways to keep that message alive all year long.

 

·         Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to make their toast or sandwich.

·         Tuck a love note into their backpack. Write a short note or draw a smiley face on a napkin and put it in their lunch box. Slide the note under their dinner plate or place it under their pillow.

·         Give your child coupons redeemable for things like a half hour of your undivided attention, their favorite dinner, playing a board game with them, etc. Send your child on a scavenger hunt around the house to find those coupons.

·         Write a letter to your child and mail it. Children rarely receive mail so when they do it’s special.

Dear________________________

I was just thinking about you and

what I was thinking is you are so__________

Love___________

·         Hang a calendar above your child's bed. Each day write one thing one positive thing about your child or one positive behavior your child did. At bedtime you share what was written. It sets a positive tone and it's much easier for both child and parents to fall asleep knowing the day ended on a positive note.

Don’t limit showing love to your child to Valentine’s Day. Make it a part of your everyday routine.

Family Game Night

Looking for a fun activity to do as a family instead of watching TV?  Schedule a family game night. If you're tired of the games you already own or you're looking for something different I have a suggestion for a game that the entire family can not only play but can help assemble.   

If you're like most families you have all kinds of little toys lying around the house. Ever step on a Lego in the middle of the night? OUCH! You probably have a junk drawer overflowing with items you're afraid to toss out because you might need them someday.  

  

Send your family members on a scavenger hunt around the house to gather those items together and put them into a shoe box. You've just assembled a Story Starter Game! 

 

The directions for this game are simple. Lay out the objects so everyone can see them. Decide who will go first. That person selects one object and uses it to start a story. For example, "Once upon a time there was a race car." The next person selects an object, sits it down next to the race car and adds another line to the story. "The race car noticed a stop sign up ahead." Family members continue selecting objects and adding to the story until all the objects have been used.

A variation is to put all the objects inside a paper bag. Each family member randomly pulls out one object at a time and the story is told in that order. 

The Story Starter Game is suitable for both children and adults. Even the youngest of children can participate. The story will be different each time you play. You can use it while traveling and think of what fun it would be to use it at a family reunion.  

Put the cell phones down, turn off the computer and video games, and gather the family together for Story Starter Game Night.