Let’s Just Play! Dr. Housman in Exchange Magazine
Imaginative and creative play is important for every child. Having fun exploring and discovering their world whether indoors or outdoors is essential in developing the foundation for social, emotional, and cognitive skills.
New Study! The Positive Impact of begin to ECSEL on Children’s Learning
“When children are better able to manage intense emotions, including stress and anxiety, their brain’s resources are better able to perform important executive function skills such as listening, concentrating, and problem-solving—all essential for learning.” ~ Dr. Donna Housman
Ask Dr. Donna -Helping Children Talk About Their Emotions
Dear Dr. Donna, How can I get my daughter to talk about her emotions? It is always a challenge when we know our children are experiencing big emotions and they don’t have the knowledge or tools to appropriately express them or are reluctant to talk to us about how they are feeling. How do we […]
Responsive Relationships | To Help Kids with Emotions, Help Yourself
In my monthly column ASK Dr. Donna, I answer questions from concerned, worried, and anxious parents about how their kids are doing and offer ideas, provide advice, and suggest ways on how to handle situations that cause children, and their moms and dads, emotional discomfort and distress. What I always try to impress upon parents, however, […]
Pandemic babies are behind. Years of stress, isolation have affected their brain development-Dr. Housman in USA Today
In ideal scenarios, the adults are emotionally and physically available for the child at all times. They are responsive to their kid’s needs, helping them regulate their emotions and understand the myriad stimuli they’re taking in…But for many parents, doing that became all but impossible once the pandemic hit…” A new and important article […]
ASK Dr. Donna-Changing the Legacy of Avoiding Emotions: Freeing Children to Feel
Dear Dr. Donna,
Helping Parents and Children Talk About Shootings
Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone. ~Mister Rogers Unfortunately, violence is a part of […]
Stop the Cycle of Struggling in Silence and Ignoring Your Emotions
As we close out Mental Health Awareness Month, we find ourselves at a critical point in the state of mental health for young and old around the globe. We were seeing an alarming rise in rates of depression, anxiety, toxic stress, and suicide for all ages. The past two tumultuous years have impacted every corner […]
Instill Wonder in Young Children With Earth Day Activities
In this article, you will find 10 Earth Day Activities, 12 Earth Day Lesson Ideas, and 10 Earth Day Picture Books to instill wonder in young children. Jump to: Earth Day Activity Ideas Earth Day Lesson Ideas Earth Day Book List As we celebrate Earth Day, let’s use this great opportunity to spark and empower […]
ASK Dr. Donna-Helping children deal with failure (of expectations)
Dear Dr. Donna, Our 9-year-old son is academically gifted and a talented athlete. As a result of his success in the classroom and on the baseball field, we find that when things get tough or he is faced with failure, he struggles to maintain his composure and persevere. He is his own worst critic. We […]
How our emotions unite us all: the power of emotions in the classroom-Dr. Housman for the himama Early Childhood Education Blog
All adults and children have and experience emotions. Emotions are universal. Even though we think differently, act differently, look differently, and have different life experiences, we all have the common language of our emotions.”
Emotional Intelligence from Birth-Dr. Housman in Exchange Magazine
What can we do to address this crisis? How can we move the needle and mitigate the impact of this relentless storm? What can we do to help children understand and deal with their emotions, big and small, not just in this moment, but for their whole life? How can we come through this having […]
How Do We Talk to Kids About Scary Times?
Q: Dear Donna, My preschool and elementary school-aged children are becoming increasingly aware of world news, from the media as well as discussions in school. My husband and I are struggling to answer their questions honestly, but we don’t want them to become anxious and afraid that it could affect their safety here. How much is […]
Celebrating Black Voices, Stories, and Experiences During Black History Month and Beyond
It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength. ~Maya Angelou Don’t miss the resource and book list on the bottom of this blog! ⬇️ Why is it important to learn about different types of people? As Black History Month comes to a close, it […]
ASK Dr. Donna-Bedtime Routines and Rituals for a Restful Night’s Sleep for All
Dear Dr. Donna,My son just turned 3 and he struggles to stay in his bed at night. Until he falls asleep, he will run into my room about every 20 minutes with his blanket in tow. I feel that he is just trying to spend time with me since I don’t see him a lot […]
The Covid Generation — Putting Kids on the Path to Well-Being
It’s hard to believe that we are entering the third year of Covid-19. It is also hard to get our heads around the fact that children under five have spent half their lives growing through the stress and uncertainty this relentless storm has wrought. What can we do to make sure that they are on […]