Michael Sanders, PhD, shares effective techniques for strengthening your relationship with your child.
Special time
- Special time is a way for parents to support their child's mental health through undivided positive attention.
- It involves focusing on the child's interests without commands, criticisms, or instructions.
- For younger children, special time may include activities like playing with blocks or coloring.
- For older children, it could involve cooking together or watching them play video games.
- Just 5 to 10 minutes of special time daily can support positive mental health throughout childhood.
Belly breathing
- Emotions and mental health go hand in hand.
- Belly breathing:
- Means taking slow, deep breaths that expand your belly, almost like blowing up a balloon
- Helps to calm a child down so that they recognize emotions, create space for decision-making, and manage feelings
- Parents can guide children through belly breathing by reflecting on their emotions and redirecting behavior.
Resources
Website
- Confidence & Self-Esteem (Child Mind Institute)
Books
- Ages 2 to 6 years: ‘I love you all the time’, by Deborah Farmer Kris
- Ages 2 to 10 years: 'Fill a Bucket', by Carol McCloud
- Ages 3 to 6 years: 'Kindness is my Superpower', by Alicia Ortega
