Maureen French - Life Balance Counselling

11/13/2025

11/13/2025

Diversity Kids 💗

11/13/2025

Why executive function is needed in the classroom for higher learning development...https://ilslearningcorner.com/2016-07-8-executive-functioning-skills-child-cant-complete-tasks-stay-organized-school/

11/13/2025

Rules teach compliance. Compassion teaches connection. And connection is what helps kids grow into kind, confident humans.

Discover your parenting style — take our 3-minute quiz for a personalized roadmap to calm, connection, and joy:

https://bit.ly/Emotional_Intelligence_Quiz

11/12/2025

So often, we use “Good job!” without realizing that our words can shape how students see themselves and their learning. In special education, meaningful feedback goes beyond praise it teaches self-awareness, effort, and growth.
This visual shows how small changes in language can make a big impact. Instead of generic praise, try phrases that validate effort, recognize progress, and build intrinsic motivation. These simple shifts help students understand what they did well and why it matters.

11/12/2025

Childhood isn’t about never making mistakes — it’s about knowing you’re still loved when you do.
That’s the kind of safety that builds strong, self-aware humans. 💚

Start your mindful parenting journey — take our 3-minute quiz for your step-by-step plan toward calm and connection:
bit.ly/Emotional_Intelligence_Quiz

11/12/2025

The adolescent brain is still under construction.
The emotional centres of the brain mature earlier, while the parts responsible for reasoning, planning, and self-regulation continue developing into the mid-20s.

This is why young people may feel things more intensely, respond quickly, or struggle to pause in the moment - especially when overwhelmed.
This is development, not defiance.

For neurodivergent young people, these differences can be even more pronounced.
Sensory processing, emotional intensity, and social fatigue can all shape how feelings show up and how support is needed.
Their brains are not behind - they are building pathways differently.

When we understand the brain, we can meet young people with connection, patience, and co-regulation, rather than correction or criticism.
This is how emotional regulation skills grow over time.

Contented Child, Child Wellbeing Consultancy

11/12/2025

There are many calming tools you can use at home or at school...and even when out and about in the community! Here are some suggestions:
💙https://www.theottoolbox.com/calm-down-corner/
💙For school: https://www.theottoolbox.com/calm-down-strategies-for-school/
💙For anywhere: https://www.theottoolbox.com/relaxation-breathing-a-powerful-tool/

11/12/2025

Third in today’s series exploring the five Protective Responses — Fight, Flight, Freeze, Flop, and Fawn — we’re looking at the Freeze Response.

Freeze often looks like calm or compliance from the outside, but inside, the child is overwhelmed. The body goes still, speech may stop, and thinking shuts down. It’s not a choice — it’s the nervous system pressing pause to survive.

When we understand freeze, we stop labelling it as “refusal” or “rudeness” and start recognising it for what it is — a moment of fear and disconnection that needs safety, not pressure.

For practical ways to identify these states in real time, see our Timeline of a Meltdown visual — printer-friendly A4 portrait and landscape versions available via Linktree Shop in Bio ⬇️

11/12/2025

11/12/2025

Sometimes life asks you to begin again.

It's okay to be in transition. It's okay to not have it all figured out. What matters is that you stay open to learning, to new directions, to growth.

You have so much life ahead of you. Make it intentional, joyful, and full of new beginnings. 🙌

11/12/2025