In Episode 36 of the Life Skills 4 Kids Podcast Deb continues her talk with Rachel Howe. Rachel is an Occupational Therapist who works with children and is moving into family-based therapy. She wants to support not only the children but also the whole family.In this episode they cover:Using mindfulness to make the afternoon routines easierThe busyness that comes with kids and school and how can parents help them to remain mindful when you’re not with themHow we can help children during homeworkWhat mindful eating is and how it can help children (and even adults)Teaching Kids to Manage Anxiety - https://www.bookdepository.com/Teaching-Kids-Manage-Anxiety-Deb-Hopper/9780994448347?ref=grid-view&qid=1550630995978&sr=1-2/?a_aid=LS4KAU

Life Skills 4 Kids

Mindfulness for Children Part 2 - Day and Afternoon Routine with Rachel Howe

In Episode 48 of the Life Skills 4 Kids Podcast, Deb talks with Dr. Louise Metcalf, a senior psychologist at the Feel Good Clinic in Sydney and Gheorg.com.In this episode they cover:Three tips to help children and families cope.Knowing and managing your own anxiety as a parentHow Gheorg can help your kids to manage anxietyLearn more about Louise: https://www.gheorg.com/Connect with Louise on Social Media:FacebookInstagramLinkedIn - GheorgLinkedIn - Louise MetcalfTeaching Kids to Manage Anxiety - https://bit.ly/2AJNLDW

Practical Tactics to support your child through COVID-19

In Episode 47 of the Life Skills 4 Kids Podcast, Deb chats with Nicole Santamaria founder of Miami Handwriting, where she works with children, families, and schools to help develop handwriting skills and the broader issues those kids are dealing with.In this episode they cover:Some fundamentals of good handwritingAll the different brain functions that need to coordinate in order to have good handwritingSensory systems that you need to tap into in order for the child to be regulated enough to learnFlexible seating opt in HEREHandwriting Resources opt in HEREBio HEREFollow Miami Handwriting onYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkBJ...Instagram - https://www.facebook.com/miamihandwri...Facebook - https://www.instagram.com/miamihandwr...Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/miamihandwr...Website - http://www.miamihandwriting.comTeaching Kids to Manage Anxiety - https://bit.ly/2AJNLDW

Flexible seating to increase learning and engagement

In Episode 46 of the Life Skills 4 Kids Podcast, Deb talks with Rebecca Spokes about all things related to handwriting! Rebecca is an Occupational Therapist who created The OT Notebook.In this episode they cover:Why pencil grip is important.What proper pencil grip looks like and others that are functional.Troubleshooting tricks for kids who have the wrong grip or hold the pencil tightly.Links:Rebecca’s Grip Demonstration Video:Rebecca’s Functional Pencil Grips Guide:Follow Rebecca on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheOTNotebook/Alex Learns that Changes are OK - https://bit.ly/3ehPS0z​

What's the big deal about pencil grip?

It’s difficult to help our kids cope with the many transitions and big issues that 2020 has brought so far. In Episode 45 of the Life Skills 4 Kids Podcast, Deb answers questions from Liz, a counselor at NSWl.In this episode they cover:Deb’s transition to telehealth for her Occupational Therapy work.How different kids are coping with distance learning and the transition back to public school.Deb shares her Four Key Anchors for parents to help children transition.Liz Hurlow bio:I love being a mum of two beautiful children and a wife to an amazing husband. I value my faith, exercise, socializing with others and being in nature. I have lived across South Africa, New Zealand and now Australia and love the diversity in people and practice. Currently I work part-time as a school counsellor in NSW. My professional background is in Occupational Therapy and I completed a Master of Counselling to further develop my professional skills. I am passionate about working alongside young people and their families to navigate life well.Teaching Kids to Manage Anxiety - https://bit.ly/2AJNLDW

The Four Anchors of supporting kids with Anxiety

In Episode 44 of the Life Skills 4 Kids Podcast, Deb does a check in to see how everyone is coping post COVID-19. Kids can be so sensitive, it’s tough to help them cope with the rapid changes in the world around us. First, online learning. Now they’re going back to school in person. And the world around us is struggling to adjust to in-person life again, safely. And she shares the four strong anchors she uses to steady our kids through these uncertain times.In this episode she shares:Feedback from listeners regarding how they’re coping.The pressure schools are putting on parents regarding school.The feelings that children are having in isolation.The effects of COVID-19 on multiple sectors of people.Teaching Kids to Manage Anxiety - https://bit.ly/2XMicRF

How are you coping with back to school post covid-19?

In Episode 43 of the Life Skills 4 Kids Podcast, Deb chats with April Mondow. April and her husband Marcus are passionate about teaching kids financial management skills and April shares how she has had success changing children’s entitled attitudes to gratitude and increasing independence and responsibility.In this episode they discuss:How April got into doing Money Smart Kids workshops.Recognizing entitlement in kids and how to combat it.How to get started in teaching kids how to manage money.At each age how to “pay your kids” to help them develop money management skills.How to calculate the amount you give to older children to manageLinks:For more info or to connect with April, email: moneysmartkids@yahoo.comAlex Learns that Changes are OK - https://www.bookdepository.com/Alex-Learns-That-Changes-Are-Ok-Deb-Hopper/9780648471004?ref=grid-view&qid=1548296569049&sr=1-1/?a_aid=LS4KAU

Teaching Money Management and Reducing Entitlement in Kids

In Episode 42 of the Life Skills 4 Kids Podcast Deb talks about staying connected with your teenager. She welcomes Pauline Duncan, a former teacher and homeschooling mum to teenagers, to the show. Pauline has a burning passion for helping families connect and grow.In this episode they discuss:The importance of validating the transition period between being a child and being an adult.The role parents play in facilitating growth in that time period.Several ways to stay connected with teenagers during this transition time of life.The benefits of staying grounded and present as parents and suggestions for how to do that.Links:Find out more about Pauline Duncan and how she can help you and your teen in her Facebook Group: Fun Back To Basics, https://www.facebook.com/funbacktobasics4teens/Teaching Kids to Manage Anxiety - https://www.bookdepository.com/Teaching-Kids-Manage-Anxiety-Deb-Hopper/9780994448347?ref=grid-view&qid=1550630995978&sr=1-2/?a_aid=LS4KAU

Staying Connected with Your Teenager

In Episode 41 of the Life Skills 4 Kids Podcast Deb talks about anxiety in kids with Deb’s cousin Lisa Pratt and her son Andrew Pratt. Andrew shares how he dealt with panic attacks and anxiety.In this episode they discuss:Anxiety in their family and Andrew’s panic attacks as a childFinding the triggers for anxiety in children and addressing themHow Autism affected Andrew’s lifeWhat daily routines were affected by Andrew’s anxietyHow Lisa dealt with her own realization about anxietyLinks:Check out Deb’s book, Teaching Kids to Manage Anxiety Superstar Practical Strategies, here: https://www.lifeskills4kids.com.au/teaching-kids-book/Alex Learns that Changes are OK - https://www.bookdepository.com/Alex-Learns-That-Changes-Are-Ok-Deb-Hopper/9780648471004?ref=grid-view&qid=1548296569049&sr=1-1/?a_aid=LS4KAU

Conversations about growing up with anxiety - Lisa Pratt and Andrew Pratt

In Episode 40 of the Life Skills 4 Kids Podcast Deb chats with Stacy McBride Wilson. Stacy is a fitness and wellbeing coach for mums. She is passionate about mums being healthy and thriving so they can bring their full selves to their families.In this episode they discuss:What things drain our energy and attention on a daily basisThe importance of taking time to reflect on what drains or fills usStacy’s three gems for refilling yourself and loving on your familyLinks:Grab Stacy’s Three Gems freebie here: www.thehealthyhappysoul.com/freebieVisit Stacy’s website for more information: https://www.thehealthyhappysoul.com/Alex Learns that Changes are OK - https://www.bookdepository.com/Alex-Learns-That-Changes-Are-Ok-Deb-Hopper/9780648471004?ref=grid-view&qid=1548296569049&sr=1-1/?a_aid=LS4KAU

Self care for parents and filling your child's love tank with Stacy McBride Willson

In Episode 39 of the Life Skills 4 Kids Podcast Deb talks with Karli Mckeown, a Teen and Parent Empowerment Coach who helps parents and teens connect and create meaningful relationships during the challenging adolescent years.In this episode they discuss:How children change from childhood to adolescence and some of the frustrations that come with these changesCommunication changes and challenges that come with adolescenceHow to pivot our parenting to balance their need for independence and helping them to feel supportedA great approach to setting boundaries and consequences with tweens and teens in order to teach the kids how to do things betterKarli shares her top three tips to boundary and consequence setting with teens and tweensLinks:Visit Karli’s website for more information: http://karlimckeowncoaching.com.au/Find Karli’s Course, How to Talk to Your Teenager Masterclass, here: http://karlimckeowncoaching.com.au/how-to-talk-to-your-teenager-masterclass/Teaching Kids to Manage Anxiety - https://www.bookdepository.com/Teaching-Kids-Manage-Anxiety-Deb-Hopper/9780994448347?ref=grid-view&qid=1550630995978&sr=1-2/?a_aid=LS4KAU

Contracting Boundaries and Consequences for Teenagers

Deb Hopper talks to Interventional Specialist and best selling author Beth Ellen Nash from Wisconsin, US about the changes to school delivery and school shutdowns in the US and how she is supporting parents to create structured academic learning that is achievable and easy for parents.Her business "Wings to soar online academy" has been supporting parents across the US and the world for 10 years, so she is used to deliverying a variety of supports for all children including typically achieving as well as students with special needs.Beth Ellen and Deb talk about the importance of creating structure and boundaries for our children in these unpredictable and uncertain times, and how this can help reduce both parental and children's anxiety.Podcast links1. Beth Ellen's Covid-19 school closing packagehttps://www.wingstosoaronline.com/product/covid-19-school-closings-online-learning/2. Non academic learning record spreadsheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aIuKNzE89FwsHcBGaMi2KOkKQLVC2TKLTcEKyfEqlUE/edit?usp=sharing3. Receive first chapter FREE of Deb's book Teaching Kids to Manage Anxiety - Superstar Practical Strategies.https://www.lifeskills4kids.com.au/teaching-kids-book-freechapter/

Beth Ellen Nash - Getting Set up for home schooling Covid-19

In Episode 37 of the Life Skills 4 Kids Podcast Deb continues her talk with Rachel Howe. Rachel is an Occupational Therapist who works with children in Queensland. She wants to support children by also incorporating the whole family.In this episode they cover:Using mindfulness to make the evening routines easierRachel shares several techniques to help kids calm down at nightHow to arrange some sensory-friendly stuff around at nightLinks:Rachel’s Mindfulness Download: https://www.lifeskills4kids.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/My-Mindful-Morning29214.pdfAlex Learns that Changes are OK - https://www.bookdepository.com/Alex-Learns-That-Changes-Are-Ok-Deb-Hopper/9780648471004?ref=grid-view&qid=1548296569049&sr=1-1/?a_aid=LS4KAU

Mindfulness for Children Part 3 - Evening Routine with Rachel Howe

In Episode 35 of the Life Skills 4 Kids Podcast Deb talks with Rachel Howe. Rachel is an Occupational Therapist who works with children and is moving into family-based therapy, She wants to support not only the children but also the whole family.In this episode they cover:The definition of mindfulness and how that applies to our internal and external worldsHow busyness affects usWhat skills kids need in order to develop mindfulnessUsing mindfulness to make the morning routine easierHow Bubble Breathing helps to encourage mindfulnessMy Mindfull Morning Download - https://www.lifeskills4kids.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/My-Mindful-Morning29214.pdfLinks:Teaching Kids to Manage Anxiety - https://www.bookdepository.com/Teaching-Kids-Manage-Anxiety-Deb-Hopper/9780994448347?ref=grid-view&qid=1550630995978&sr=1-2/?a_aid=LS4KAU

Mindfulness for Children Part 1 - Morning Routine

In Episode 34 of the Life Skills 4 Kids Podcast Deb talks with Landy Peek from Roswell, New Mexico, in the United States. Landy is an Occupational Therapist who works with kids who need pelvic therapy and today they are discussing potty and toilet training!In this episode they cover:Potential issues with early potty trainingWhat it takes for kids to be ready for toilet trainingWhat Landy recommends to her clientsTraining children on the Autism SpectrumThe difference between training boys and girlsFind Landy at:Peek Possibilities: https://www.possibilitiesot.com/https://www.facebook.com/peekpossibilitiesAlex Learns that Changes are OK - https://www.bookdepository.com/Alex-Learns-That-Changes-Are-Ok-Deb-Hopper/9780648471004?ref=grid-view&qid=1548296569049&sr=1-1/?a_aid=LS4KAU

Toilet and Potty Training with Landy Peek

The Life Skills 4 Kids: Superstar Practical Strategies podcast is packed with, loads of practical strategies for helping kids do what they need to do! This is for all parents, whether you have a child with autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, anxiety or a typical kid who's struggling to get out the door in the morning. Deb Hopper, Occupational Therapist brings you daily struggles from the home and school front together with awesome ideas to make your home calmer and happier.

Mindfulness for Children Part 2 - Day and Afternoon Routine ...