Calm and Connected Podcast show

Calm and Connected Podcast

Summary: Calm and Connected is created by Janine Halloran, an experienced counselor and mom. Janine gives quick tips and helpful information about coping skills and play

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  • Artist: Janine Halloran
  • Copyright: Copyright 2019 Encourage Play, LLC

Podcasts:

 Self-Care in COVID-19 | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:09:50

Self-care can feel like just another thing to add to your to-do list. I KNOW life is hard right now. My kids are fully remote, and sometimes it's a struggle to make it through the next class or piece of homework. I have to thank my colleagues because I keep getting emails and seeing posts about self-care. It's a reminder to me to talk about it and do it. I find that I need to take time for myself. Otherwise, I find myself being more crabby or cranky, and it's hard to accomplish anything. And I need to practice what I preach. In this podcast episode, I talk about how I'm taking care of myself and hope to inspire you to figure out some tiny moments of self-care. Take a listen!

 Four Simple Ways to Introduce Mindfulness to Kids | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:08:09

This time is so stressful and full of anxiety! This is the perfect time to start to explore the practice of mindfulness with kids. Mindfulness is being aware of what’s happening in the present moment. It’s not about trying to clear your mind, but allowing thoughts and emotions to come and go without judgment and familiarizing ourselves with the present moment. It takes practice to be able to do this. Mindfulness helps kids focus on the present instead of focusing on the past or future. As they grow into adults, they need to learn to manage stress in healthy ways and make sure they have a healthy balance in their lives. Mindfulness can also be a helpful tool for kids who have challenges with self-regulation or difficulty managing emotions, or want to improve their concentration. it would be helpful for them to be able to calm down and be aware of the present. When they are aware of the present, it will help them be more able to see what’s happening around them and settle themselves and their minds. In this podcast episode, I talk about four different ways to introduce mindfulness to kids. Take a listen! What are the ways you like to introduce mindfulness to kids? Comment below or email me your ideas, I’d love to hear from you!!

 Using a Question Box to Encourage Conversations | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:07:30

When I think back to my time as a school counselor, my best memories are laughter and connection during lunch groups. Lunch groups are a great way to get to know a lot of students throughout the year. It’s also an excellent way for children to meet new peers and potentially make new friends. What I thought was the best part was the natural opportunity to practice conversations. The way I would encourage conversations is by using a question box. Please take a listen to hear what social skills we practiced in lunch groups using this simple technique. BONUS - these questions can be used during remote learning and at home too!

 Three Benefits of Using Distraction Coping Skills | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:07:11

As you may know, at Coping Skills for Kids, I divide coping skills into 5 types: Relaxation Movement Sensory Processing Distraction In this episode of the podcast, I’m focused on distraction coping skills, which include things like playing and fun activities. Distraction coping skills aren’t meant to help kids avoid or suppress their feelings. Take a listen to the podcast to hear the three benefits of using distraction as a coping skill, and for some resources that you can get from Coping Skills for Kids.

 Back to School Coping Skills for Kids and Families | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:08:15

If you have school-aged children or work in education (or both!), things are intense right now as school districts and families are trying to figure out what to do. In this podcast episode, I don’t discuss how to send kids back to school safely. Instead, I discuss coping strategies that families can use, whether kids are back at school full time, remote learning, homeschooling, or learning in a pod. Take a listen for some ideas of things you can do to help yourself and your family as you navigate these uncharted waters.

 Using Art and Poetry to Explore Perspective Taking with Kids | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:05:01

Last year, I did a whole series of perspective taking on the Calm & Connected Podcast, but I wanted to revisit the topic and discuss two other ways I like to explore perspective-taking with kids. Why do I keep talking about this topic? It’s a building block for empathy, a skill we all want to build in our kids.

 Using Dominoes to Show How Kindness Can Spread | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:04:51

In this podcast episode, I share this simple yet powerful visual activity to help kids see how kind acts can spread and make a positive impact. I also share some wisdom from Dr. Alan Chu from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay about the ripple effect of sending gratitude letters, and small acts of kindness.

 Unique Ways to Keep Kids Busy This Summer | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:08:26

A social distancing summer looks super different, right? Back in January, I had major plans to go to museums and take day trips with my kids. Most of that has gone out of the window. What are we doing instead? Instead, we're choosing to explore outdoor spots that are new to us and close by.  Last week, we went on a hike to a place we'd never been before, and they were limiting how many people were going in, so that felt safe in terms of our ability to keep the appropriate social distance. I wanted to hear ideas from others with unique ways to keep kids busy this summer, and I got a ton of responses.

 Create More Kindness by Being Kind | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:05:27

We create more kindness by being kind. -Katie Hurley In this podcast, I talk about how I got inspired to record this after reading a post on Katie Hurley’s Facebook wall. I also talk about how kindness is related to friendship and social skills, and I give a few ideas to help get you started in doing some kind acts, wherever you are. Take a listen!

 Channeling Big Emotions into Positive Energy | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:05:08

There are a lot of big emotions happening right now, and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to share a coping skill that I wrote about in the Coping Skills for Teens Workbook - Channeling Big Emotions into Positive Energy. Take a listen to the podcast as I read this section of the book. My hope is that you are inspired to use your energy in a positive way.

 Six Books about Feelings for Kids | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:06:45

Books are a great way to start conversations about feelings with kids. Here are six of my favorites: How Are You Peeling? By Saxton Freymann You’re a Crab: A Moody Day Book by Jenny Whitehead My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss Today I Feel Silly by Jamie Lee Curtis Glad Monster Sad Monster by Ed Emberley The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld

 The Power of Journaling | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:04:52

Whenever I sit down and talk with someone about their coping skills, one of the first things I ask is if they have tried writing about it, in particular, my middle school and high school clients. I do this for several reasons:

 The Challenges and Silver Linings of COVID-19 | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:06:31

This COVID-19 world is a strange place to be. I got en email recently where someone was talking about this being the best of times and the worst of times, and it rang true for me. This time is both challenging and good. It’s challenging because: Scary things are happening right now. How long will this last? How are my loved ones with COVID-19 doing? I’m worried about my loved ones and essential workers in my life, who have to go out frequently. I’m concerned about the doctors and nurses who are on the front lines. It’s good because: It reminds me to pay attention and be grateful for the small things. I’m thankful for things like chats with my kids, more family time, and having kind neighbors. I’m also grateful for video games and light traffic when I’m dropping off food for my mom.

 Ways to Stay Connected Even When We're Apart | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:08:16

Staying in touch and talking with others can increase our joy and lessen our sorrow. This time in our lives is challenging, and continuing to give and get support from friends and family is a way to cope with all the stress we feel. In this podcast episode, I discuss some ideas for keeping in touch with one another even when we’re physically apart. There are lots of ways to stay connected even when we can’t share the same space. Take a listen!

 New Resources on YouTube coming soon! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:05:27

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been getting requests for play ideas and coping skills kids can use, so I’ve been thinking about ways that I can get more information and resources available. I’m going to be making short videos on YouTube with simple play ideas and simple coping skills kids can use. They are kid-appropriate, so they can watch and then try the play idea or do the coping skill. What this means for the Calm & Connected Podcast: Like you, I’m adjusting to my new routine and figuring out what I can and can’t do. Because I want to focus on giving more resources over on YouTube, I’ve decided to make the podcast available as audio-only, and I will probably be posting less frequently (every other week instead of every week). Also, during this podcast episode, I share the phrase that I’ve been trying to live by over the last few weeks. “Be the thermostat, not the thermometer.” We, as adults, need to set the tone of our homes. I’m being very deliberate about doing that in my home. It’s not perfect, but I’m consciously trying to set a good healthy example for my family, and I encourage you to do the same. Take a break from the news. Give yourself grace. Find something that brings you joy and do it.

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