Managing Impulsivity in Teens: A Parent’s Guide to Response Inhibition

Managing Impulsivity in Teens: A Parent’s Guide to Response Inhibition

Do you have a teen who blurts out answers, interrupts conversations, or struggles to think before acting? If so, they may be navigating challenges with response inhibition, a key executive functioning skill. Here’s a fresh look at what response inhibition is, why it matters, and practical strategies—including real-life…

Understanding Response Inhibition: Supporting Children’s Impulse Control and Self-Regulation

Understanding Response Inhibition: Supporting Children’s Impulse Control and Self-Regulation

Response inhibition is a crucial executive functioning skill that helps children pause and think before acting. When kids struggle with impulse control, it can impact their behavior, social interactions, and academic success. In this post, we’ll explore what response inhibition is, how it develops, and practical strategies for…

Parent Reflection: The Overlooked Key to Teaching Emotional Regulation

Parent Reflection: The Overlooked Key to Teaching Emotional Regulation

As parents, we pour so much energy into teaching our kids how to manage their emotions – guiding them through big feelings, modeling calming techniques, and trying (sometimes unsuccessfully) to avoid the meltdown zones. But what if one of the most powerful tools for teaching emotional regulation doesn’t…

Teaching Emotional Regulation to Kids – Without Losing Your Mind

Teaching Emotional Regulation to Kids – Without Losing Your Mind

What is it? Emotional regulation is the ability to manage and respond to emotional experiences in a socially acceptable and flexible manner. It involves recognizing, understanding, and expressing emotions appropriately, as well as recovering from emotional setbacks in a healthy way. Teaching emotional regulation to kids is essential…

The Power of ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’: Reducing Meltdowns at Home

The Power of ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’: Reducing Meltdowns at Home

Long before I became a parent, I was a special education teacher. One of the first things I taught my students was to say “please” and “thank you” – literally on the FIRST day of school! Why? Because it’s a small thing that has a BIG impact on…