by Ellen Cogan | Feb 21, 2024 | Uncategorized
Lately, I’ve heard people telling other people not to give up. Sports analogies abound. The saying, “If at first you don’t succeed…” is engraved into our psyches. So how do we know when to give up? If you are burned out as a teacher or...
by Ellen Cogan | Feb 8, 2024 | General Observation
This question was in the last blog post, and I want to go back to it. It’s been going around a lot lately because so many people instantly “get” it. When you are around an upset child, the temptation is to jump right it and help make the child feel...
by Ellen Cogan | Dec 11, 2023 | Children and families
When I’m upset, I’m NOT all right! Telling me I’m all right is not good for several reasons: It shows me that you don’t believe me It shows me that you don’t value my feelings It’s not true. I am not all right and you are telling me I am all right. – You are...
by Ellen Cogan | Oct 26, 2023 | Uncategorized
Sometimes, we tell stories with children to help them work through problems. The scene: The park. An older child grabbed your child’s toy and it broke. He gave it back and left the park. You were too far away to intervene. Your child, A, was very upset and could...
by Ellen Cogan | Oct 26, 2023 | Uncategorized
When children are able to choose their own activity, it often brings them joy. Sometimes they look very happy, laughing, squealing, shouting, and the like. Sometimes, they get fully engaged with what they are doing and they may not look joyful. When adults are fully...
