Goal Setting/Hope: Article Center
The experts weigh in! These articles explore goal setting and give you helpful hints and tips to help your family set and reach their goals.
Positive Education: positive psychology and classroom interventions
Article by Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman et al. — Oxford Review of Education
"Positive Education: positive psychology and classroom interventions" by Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman et al. (Oxford Review of Education) – The theory that skills for happiness can be taught in school is explored.
- Kindergarten - Grade 2
- Grades 3-5
- Grades 5 & Up
"Optimism" — Embrace the Future
Mental Health Foundation Australia
Optimism, in the context of resiliency, refers to a sense of a positive future, to a tendency to find positive meaning in experiences, and a belief in one’s ability to impact positively on one’s environment. It has many benefits for mental health, including protecting against depression and anxiety. It also increases the likelihood of effective problem solving.
- Kindergarten - Grade 2
- Grades 3-5
- Grades 5 & Up
KidsHealth.org
The #1 site devoted to children’s health takes a look at stress, offering an explanation of the response and ways in which parents can help children manage it.
Using Positive Psychology in Your Relationships
Article by Lindsay Lyon (USNews.com)
Psychologist Shelly Gable explains how positive reactions can strengthen relationships.
Article by Gershom Gorenberg, Parents.com
Why an upbeat outlook is the #1 secret to kids' success.
- Kindergarten - Grade 2
- Grades 3-5
- Grades 5 & Up
How to Teach Kids Perseverance and Goal-Setting
Article by Marie Faust Evitt, Parents.com
To encourage perseverance, teach preteens how to set goals and work to meet them.
The Power of Family Rituals
Article by Barbara Biziou, Parents.com
Creating celebrations and ceremonies — even for life's smallest occasions — gives your kids memories to last a lifetime.
- Kindergarten - Grade 2
- Grades 3-5
- Grades 5 & Up
Raising Kids with Character
From Parenting.com
Paula Spencer shares her simple tips for raising kids with character.
Relaxation Techniques: Essential for Reducing Stress
From the University of Maryland Medical Center.
If you or your children are having trouble sleeping, try these relaxation techniques with them to get a good night's sleep: Progressive Relaxation, Toe Tensing, Deep Breathing, Guided Imagery, and Quiet Ears.
What is a Highly Sensitive Child?
Article by hsperson.com
A highly sensitive child is one of the fifteen to twenty percent of children born with a nervous system that is highly aware and quick to react to everything. This article discusses how to tell if your child is sensitive and what to do about it.
Temperament Characteristics: From Low Reactors to Big Reactors
Article by zerotothree.org
Low Reactors are children who seem less demanding than others. At the other end of the spectrum are Big Reactors who tell the world how they feel in a voice that's loud and clear.
- Pre-K and Younger
- Kindergarten - Grade 2
Parenting Tips for Anxious Kids
Brought to you by The Children's Center for OCD and Anxiety.
Tips for parents on how to help children who struggle with anxiety, such as setting expectations, building your child's strength, letting children learn to do things on their own, helping children handle feelings on their own, how to work together as parents, and more.
Monsters Under the Bed: Understanding Kid Fears
Article by Reshma Memon Yaqub on parents.com
Many of kids' fears seem mystifying and irrational, but to them the world is full of threats. Many of kids' fears fade as kids develop, but if your child's fear persist and totally preoccupy him, he'll need your help to overcome them. We've got the top soothing strategies for his biggest fears — real and imaginary.
The Highly Sensitive Child: Parenting Strategies
Article by FamilyEducation.com
A very sensitive child is not an easy child to raise. Fortunately, certain parenting patterns can help this child mature into a creative, insightful person.
Article By Kyla Boyse, R.N, University of Michigan Health System
Sibling rivalry is the jealousy, competition and fighting between brothers and sisters. It is a concern for almost all parents of two or more kids. There are lots of things parents can do to help their kids get along better and work through conflicts in positive ways.
Raising a sensitive child
Article by Sue Douglass Fliess, education.com
He cries at the drop of a hat – or a toy, in this case. She crumbles if you raise your voice at her, even slightly. He seems to have a bionic sense of smell. Before you write your child off as a drama queen, consider the fact that this behavior may be innate.
Praise That Builds a Child's Self-Esteem
Article By Joan E. LeFebvre, University of Wisconsin
In an effort to enhance their children's self-esteem, parents often use praise to recognize the efforts and accomplishments of their children. Obviously, recognizing our children's positive behavior is more likely to build self-esteem than dwelling on problems. But praise is not always uplifting.
Article by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Back talk--when your teenager rudely tells you that you are a tyrant or an idiot--has to be one of the hardest things for parents to deal with. Respect for parents is highly valued in every culture. Ways of showing respect differ from family to family.
New Pressures on Working Moms, Families
Article By Mary Dulaney (From CareerBuilder.com– May 7, 2009)
In these trying economic times, moms are finding the balancing act between family and work is more challenging than ever.
Article by Dr. Shane Lopez
The essence of hope is having the drive to set and pursue goals, to take risks, to initiate action. Hope fuels problem-solving and it helps us develop personal strengths and social resources.
Setting and Reaching Goals
Article by Dr. Karen Reivich
I'm writing this on a Tuesday. Last Thursday I announced to my husband and my kids that "Starting tomorrow I'm back to going to the gym. I'm going every day." I said it with a great deal of enthusiasm. I was convinced. I felt more fit already. Guess how many times I've been to the gym since my proclamation? Yep. You got it: Zippo. I thought about it many times. And I really wanted to go. I enjoy going to the gym. It's not something that falls under my "have to do" list; it tops my "want to do" list. Yet despite all of that, it's Tuesday and I still haven't gone.