6 Essential Books for Kids that Make Social-Emotional Learning Fun
What a parenting relief to find great kids lit that helps kids identify and process emotion! These 6 books, recommended by a librarian and a theater teacher, can boost kids’ emotional intelligence and help them manage complex feelings.
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Boost Kids’ IQ and Joy with this Simple, Silly Game
This simple and silly theater game supports your child’s brain development and creates new neural pathways that build positivity and help them crave bonding! Beyond boosting IQ, this game is pure pleasure to play and can be that parent hack that you need for everything from picky eaters to tricky sleepers. Enjoy setting up your silly store!
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How to Talk to Kids with Humor and Fun (About the Big Stuff)
If you are hankering to talk to your kids about the big stuff, or help them process emotions, then you should play Taxi! This classic theater game is adaptable for all ages and provides kids with a safe and sweet space to share feelings with you. Use it to bond with your kids when you have a little down-time and know that they are also benefitting from the social-emotional learning (SEL) and Executive Function work-out that this game gives them. Watch the video to learn about the benefits and the ways to play.
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15 Ways to Play and Laugh More in the New Year
It’s hard just to get through the requirements of parenting, let alone find time on top of that to play. However, here is the tip: inject stories into the mundane parenting tasks and you’ll get what you need to get done quicker, and bond with your kid in the process.
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3 Empathy Inspiring Books You’ll Want for the Holidays
Great kids books are a superb way for kids to learn about kindness and empathy. I love them especially for the conversations they can start. These three books for ages 8 and up are our favorites for putting social emotional learning at the foreground. They are the perfect holiday gift to spark even more compassion in your kids.
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Make Indoor Play Hilarious and Meaningful, Watch How
When the temperatures dip and the crazies set in – you need an indoor game that keeps kids calm and gets them laughing. This theater game boosts social emotional learning, communication skills and is super bonding. Best of all, it makes kids laugh!
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These Halloween games are the best for family fun
Halloween games help kids flex their imaginative muscles, build empathy and bond with you and their buddies. Simple theater exercises – with a Halloween theme – can make playing their role so much more fun! Here are my favorite games for at-home play and even for a Halloween party!
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Boom Chica Boom is that screen free game you need to play now
This simple chant helps kids regulate their emotions and boosts their social intelligence. You can play it as a car game, while walking to school, or even at bedtime. Kids will have fun exploring “characters” and you’ll like this easy format for fostering new words to develop feelings.
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Back to school is better when you play this game
Turn those back-to-school jitters into a creative game that gets kids silly and opens them up for meaning communication with you. Learn more from our PhD expert about what dramatic play does for social skills and emotional intelligence.
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Car games that will make you laugh and get to know your kids
Transform the backseat into a giggle-fest with these silly – and meaningful – car games. When you play these games, there is no need for screens or headphones. Instead, kids will be bonding with you and making lasting memories – even before their vacation begins!
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How to Get Your Kid to Sleep: Playful Bedtime Routines that Work
Getting kids to sleep can be a challenge! But bedtime can actually be the most meaningful time of the day, where we tell stories, sing songs and wind down through relaxation. Read on to learn tips that add a little play and a lot of calm to your nightly routine. Sweet dreams!
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15 Playground Toys That Will Make the Outdoors Awesome
Make time on the playground meaningful with these tools that boost imagination! Here are 15 of my favorite toys under $15 that I can slip into a bag when we go. They are collaborative, creative and physical and will certainly add a spark to your kids’ outdoor play! Plus, watch how the classic “Red Light Green Light” gets a dramatic play twist!
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Sculpture Will Make Your Kids’ Imaginations Soar
Sculpture is the best theater game to spark imagination and literacy. Kids love molding each other (and you!) into creative tableaus. Get creative with the titles to boost literacy. Expand EQ by riffing on themes that matter to their development. Above all, have fun in a screen-free, physical and bonding way!
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12 Parenting Books That Will Make it All Better
Here’s a booklist for parents to help take away the stress! Let doctors and researchers provide helpful solutions to some of our greatest parenting problems. I’ve cut through the advice-noise here: These are my favorite books that help make sense of the challenges we face and foster kindness, grit, and imagination in our kids.
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The pretend play game that will make your kids brave at the doctor
Use pretend play to elevate your child’s imagination and help them conquer fears. Watch this game of Animal Doctor and then use it to help prepare for a visit to the pediatrician. The game is great also as a way to inspire purposeful play and storytelling. Learn about scaffolding play and making meaningful connections with your kid.
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Got grit? This is the exact pep talk that will make kids work hard
Motivate your kids and learn more about grit. In this week’s video we avoid the pitfall of “good job” and learn some other ways to praise kids. And read Jocelyn’s pre-show speech for her cast of Music Man!
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How to Get Better Table Manners with Imagination and Positivity
Use simple dramatic play to get your kids to have great table manners. This is a hilarious (and sweet) way to inspire kids. I also share tips on positive discipline and great kids lit that will reinforce polite eating habits!
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Watch What Happens When You Play I Spy the Mindful Way
Add this dramatic play twist to the classic game I Spy. Your kids will have more fun and get calm in the process. Here I share other games, tools and toys for mindful observations.
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4 Astounding Books That Will Make Your Kids Love Kindness
Kindness blossoms in kids when you have the right tools. Use these 4 books, recommended by a school librarian, to spark empathy in your child. Watch the video to see the books and learn why they strengthen our kids’ compassion.
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18 Brain Breaks That Will Make Your Kids’ Minds Happy
Brain Breaks are brilliant ways to energize your kids in the classroom or at home. These short movement activities invigorate kids so that they can learn with calm bodies and focused minds. They tap into imagination and word play too!
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