Power struggles create distance and hostility instead of closeness and trust. And we know sometimes it's hard to get out of them. That's why we have collected a few helpful tips for avoiding power struggles!

• Involve children in the creation of routines (morning, chores, bedtime). You can even create your own personalized routines chart!

• Organize family meetings where you discuss problems and solutions.Bonus: Let your child brainstorm solutions.

• Create non-verbal signals with your child. These signals should be planned in advance with your child. For example, when the stuffy bin is open and in the center of the room that means the suffies need to be collected.

• Limit options. For example, you can ask questions like, "Do you want clean your toys before or after dinner?" or "Do you want to wash your hands while singing a song or while counting to 20?"

• Create games for getting things done. For example, you can suggest playing a timed game, "Let's time ourselves and see how fast we can clean up this room".

• Join them! Children learn mostly by example so be that example! Clean their room with them. Follow routines with them and participate alongside them.

Eye contact. Get down on your child's level to achieve eye contact. The eyes contain nerve projections that lead directly to key brain structures for empathy and matching emotions. Eye contact helps us connect with one another and gives us a sense that we are being acknowledged. 

Presence. Be present in the moment means your mind and body are in the same place. Your mind is free from chatter and you are focused on your child. 

Touch. The skin and brain are made up of the same embryonic tissue. Touch creates a hormone that is essential to neural functioning and learning. That's why hugs are so powerful.

Playfulness. Being playful helps build bonds and creates a biochemist in the brain for dopamine. Playful situations strengthen the dopamine system, increase attention spans and boost social development. 

Have you heard your child say,"Para. No me gusta?"

This is an example of one way in which we empower the children with strategies for using their Gran Voz (Empowered Voice).  As you can imagine, we have many opportunities to model and practice using this assertive and warm voice in our classrooms each day!

Our goal is to empower the children to discover and voice their likes/dislikes, opinions and beliefs.  In this way, they learn to teach others how to treat them.  It is a life-long process that supports social-emotional development as the children begin to employ different strategies in engaging with their peers, teachers and families. 

A common scenario:    

When a child says, “Alena took my toy.”

We say, “Did you like it?”

The child says, “No!” 

We say, “Do you want your friend to ask for a turn?"

What can you say to Alena?

If a child needs help with the words, we provide them.  If a child needs our presence in order to speak, we accompany them.  At different ages, and different stages we provide the appropriate level of support.  

We encourage you to try it at home!  Use your gran voz!  Let us know how it goes. ❤️

Designated a specific space in your home for your child to express their feelings can be very beneficial. ♥️ Here are some helpful tips for creating a cozy place at home: 

1. Find a spot
It doesn’t have to be a big space; just a little designated area in a room. Make sure it is a spot that is quiet and not too busy.

2. Make it cozy 
Start with creating a way to delineate the space. You can use a tent, a curtain, a canopy, or a blanket or rug. focus on making the space cozy. Add a comfortable seat, some pillows, blankets, and a few stuffed animals.

3. Add some calming tools 
You can have stress balls, play dough, a book they like, or a toy that they enjoy playing with quietly.

You can also display a feelings chart or breathing techniques. A CD player with calming music, and headphones could also be an option!

4. Explain the cozy spot and practice 
Your child will need an explanation of what a cozy place is and how to use it. Show them where the spot is and explain to them that this is a place they can go when they need a break or need to calm down when they get upset or frustrated.
You can also model how to use it when you are feeling frustrated or need a break. 

Navigating and understanding emotions and behaviors is sometimes challenging.  

We've found that oftentimes feelings are more complicated than they seem.  In fact, we often just see only part of what a child is truly experiencing.  We like to use the iceberg as an analogy for these phenomenon. 

It's important when trying to understand a child's emotions and behavior to consider the iceberg.  What could be underneath an expressed emotion or behavior?  

As parents, an important role we play is to help children identify, understand and express their feelings.  When spending time with kids, think about the ways you can model and teach them to recognize, name, and express their feelings in healthy ways.

Here are some ways you can help your child with their feelings♥️:

1. Talk about your own feelings. Talk out loud about your feelings as you experience them.

2. Help children label their feelings. Pay attention and label feelings for children.

3. Don’t scold children for their feelings. Teach them appropriate ways to express them.

4. Reinforce children when they handle their feelings constructively. “I like when you take a deep breath and think before responding.”

5. When you regulate your own responses to situations, you model feelings management. Instead of yelling, try to calm down before reacting to a situation.

6. Show how to set things right when you do react instead of respond. Apologize. Discuss how you wished you’d handled things differently.

Children love predictability and coherence in their day. All of our brains are pattern seeking and we feel safe when we know what to expect. Creating routines with children is a great way to give them a say in what happens throughout the day, develop their capacity to make decisions, their sense of responsibility and self-esteem. 

Here is a step by step guide to create a routine chart together with your child. 💕 

1. Determine which routine you would like to create (morning routine, bedtime routine, etc.)

2. Gather materials to create your chart. We recommend using photos of your child and other recognizable

objects around your home. Here are some icons we've created that might also be helpful. 

3. Create your chart together! It is important that your child is involved in the chart making process - they will be more willing to use it if they are involved in the design.

4. Select a place in your home to use your routine chart. Perhaps next to your child's bed, in the bathroom or hallway. 

5. Enjoy and update when needed! Here are a few examples!😊