Different mental processes are implicated in the planning, initiation, and accomplishment of any given task. Regardless of whether a task is simple or complex, the successful completion of a task depends on one or more of the following mental processes: Working Memory, Mental Flexibility, and Self-Control. These three cognitive processes are the ones most frequently [...]
Executive function is a group of mental processes that enable us to organize information and control our behaviors to achieve goals. It is like the CEO of our brain, responsible for communicating with different parts of the brain to organize, coordinate, and delegate resources to help us plan, initiate, and complete goal-directed activities effectively. Children [...]
Children who display more aggressive and challenging behaviours tend to have high levels of arousal and tension. Arousal is often associated with amplifying aggressive responses and causing physiological changes like increased: breathing rate, heart rate, blood pressure, cortisol levels, and muscle tension. Anxious children often tense their muscles as a physiological response to stress. To [...]
During stressful situations, visualisation is a technique to help children cope with their emotions. Visualisation involves focusing attention on mental images. It is not only limited to seeing mental pictures but can involve all senses like asking a child to imagine smelling flowers or touching sand. Visualising provides children with a ‘break’ from the stressful [...]
Deep breathing is a quick and natural technique that children can apply to help manage their feelings of stress and anxiety. This cost-free mindfulness tool involves slow, controlled breathing that directs air to the belly. Children can be taught to imagine blowing a balloon when inhaling air into their lungs, and count to four in [...]
Self-regulation is a skill that needs to be continually developed for an individual to be stronger at coping with emotions and managing anxiety or stress. Training children to be equipped with self-regulation tools is the first step towards helping them self-regulate their emotions. When children learn how to use the tools that have already been [...]
Why is it important to equip children with self-regulation tools to manage their emotions? Equipping children with self-regulation tools to manage their emotions is a crucial step to promoting self-awareness and independence in children. There will be times where children experience different reactions to feelings when no adult is nearby to help them understand or [...]
A healthy way for children to express their feelings is by talking about them and why they feel that way. Not only does it make the child feel better when saying it out, it also allows the child to practice self-control and not act out the feelings on impulse. Sharing their feelings with others helps [...]
Situations evoke different feelings in people, and even the same situation can cause people to react differently. When people know what is causing them to feel a certain way, they are able to learn from it and know what to expect in similar future situations. Many choices in the future depend on the anticipation of [...]
Different emotions are associated with different internal body signals (physiological reactions). How does this affect your child? Part of children’s emotional knowledge includes being aware of their internal body signals for different emotions. Children who are unaware of their internal body signals for different feelings like distress, angry and frustration may not even be able [...]
