Education Social Emotional Health Strategies
This free lesson plan, Heroes of History, helps teach resilience to students and can be adapted to fit any elementary or middle school classroom. Age it up or down with your choice of books and vocabulary!
Feb 01, 2021
Brain Education
¿Busca datos cerebrales divertidos y fáciles para niños pequeños? Disfrute de esta lectura en voz alta de "Tu Cerebro".
Jan 20, 2021
Mental Health
Let’s take a look at the neurobiology of stress. What happens to your brain under stress?
Jan 20, 2021
Mental Health
Because social emotional health is the intersection of social emotional learning and mental health, we talk a lot about mental health. But, what is mental health and how does it fit into overall health?
Jan 18, 2021
Equity Book Reviews Race
Here are a few of our favorite books about social justice issues, movements, and heroes.
Jan 12, 2021
News
Read what our therapists have observed from families during the pandemic and see how parents and children have shown resilience.
Dec 03, 2020
Education Changemaker
After six years of work to meet educators’ demand for social emotional learning best practices, our staff finalized the Changemakers Curriculum this summer. Check out the details here!
Dec 03, 2020
Education
Learn about ways we have stayed dedicated to educators despite the changes of 2020 and head to the e-store to see all the products.
Dec 03, 2020
News
The support of seven sponsors allowed our staff to create a menu of interactive webinars and reach over 2,500 educational professionals in the community! See the story here.
Dec 02, 2020
News
Hear from Kate Whidden, our Interim Executive Director, as she steps into her new role after 20 years with Momentous Institute.
Dec 02, 2020
Parenting Social Emotional Health
There’s no question that the way we typically celebrate at this time of year will look very different. To make the most of the coming months, clinician Dena Kohleriter offers three tips that can help support children’s mental health as we navigate this time.
Nov 20, 2020
Parenting
Check out a few ways to practice gratitude with children even when hard things happen.
Nov 20, 2020
Education
This post from Momentous School 4th grade teacher Katherine Probolous is the first part of a series on building student portfolios.
Sep 18, 2020
Brain Education
Looking for fun, easy brain facts for young kids? Enjoy this read aloud of "Your Brain", available in print at momentousinstitute.org/shop.
Sep 17, 2020
Education Home Learning
Teachers across the country are navigating virtual back-to-school routines, so we caught up with two teachers at N.W. Harllee Early Childhood Learning Center in Dallas ISD to learn about what they’re doing to welcome students to the 2020-21 school year.
Sep 14, 2020
As children head back to school this fall, many are asking questions that teachers may feel unprepared to answer. While we can’t provide a script for how to respond to each question a student may ask, here's some guidance on appropriate ways to handle these tough conversations.
Aug 20, 2020
Education Back to School Home Learning
While we can’t create consistency in this unpredictable world, we can create it where we have control – in the classroom (or virtual classroom).
Aug 17, 2020
Education Back to School Home Learning
Momentous School 4th grade teachers share this back-to-school strategy designed to help teachers create a virtual classroom for distance learning.
Aug 10, 2020
Education Back to School
Many states and schools require or encourage people to wear a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Here are seven quick tips to help students adapt.
Jul 30, 2020
Education Back to School Education Home Learning
Students coming back into the classroom this fall, or students logging on to virtual platforms, will need an even more intentional refresher course on how school works. And frankly, teachers probably will, too!
Jul 27, 2020
Education Back to School
When students start back at school this fall, creating a sense of belonging must be top priority.
Jul 27, 2020
Here are some behaviors we may see in children as we head back into classrooms this fall.
Jul 27, 2020
Education
From daily distance learning zoom sessions to birthday visits to a special drive-thru send-off, our teachers went above and beyond to make sure our students and their families were able to finish the year on a positive note.
Jul 27, 2020
Race
Momentous Institute has decided to capitalize all references to race including Black and White. Read more...
Jul 10, 2020
Race
Momentous School librarian Jennifer Grauberger shares her experiences in diversifying the school library to more accurately reflect the student population.
Jul 02, 2020
Race Equity Parenting
White parents must talk to their children about race in order to create a world where these conversations are no longer necessary. Here are a few suggestions on how to explain what is happening in today's headlines.
Jun 10, 2020
There is no pathway towards a mentally healthy community without addressing systemic racism and the resulting racial trauma. This is not someone else’s fight. This is our collective fight. And we are committed for the long-haul.
Jun 04, 2020
Education Home Learning
To help teachers and administrators handle the stresses of teaching from home, consider adding a social emotional component to your online faculty meetings. Here are a few tips!
May 01, 2020
Education Home Learning
In this new age of teaching remotely, relationships between parents/caretakers and teachers have never been more intertwined. To capitalize on this new relationship, teachers can lean in to parents and ask how they'd like to be supported.
Apr 30, 2020
Education Home Learning
Having one-on-one connection with students can be tough during distance learning, but we have a few tips for setting up individual touchpoints.
Apr 29, 2020
Education Home Learning
Every teacher has classroom expectations. As classrooms have shifted to online platforms, it is important to set expectations for distance learning.
Apr 28, 2020
Education Home Learning
Many people meal prep their meals for the week, why try 'meal prepping' lessons for the week!
Apr 27, 2020
Education Home Learning
Creating a schedule for yourself is more important than ever when teaching from home. We have a few tips to help you get started creating your schedule.
Apr 24, 2020
Education Home Learning
Students of all ages love recess, to give them some time to experience recess from home, try a virtual recess.
Apr 23, 2020
Education Home Learning
Even for classrooms as young as elementary school, virtual office hours can provide a great way for students and teachers to connect.
Apr 22, 2020
Education Home Learning
Let's look at an easy mindfulness strategy that students can do from home: mindful listening.
Apr 21, 2020
Education Home Learning
Kids are currently spending more time on screens than they normally would in a classroom. Today's strategy looks at ways to get them up and moving.
Apr 20, 2020
Education Home Learning
Morning meetings help start the day and build a sense of community. Just because students and teachers aren't in the same room doesn't mean morning meeting can't happen!
Apr 16, 2020
Education Breathing Home Learning
As teachers adapt to a new method of teaching, prioritizing social emotion learning in the absence of a classroom environment can be a challenge. We're here to provide some strategies that teachers can implement from their homes.
Apr 15, 2020
Self-Awareness
Community resilience is always a characteristic of human communities, but what about you? When you turn your lens inward, how resilient are you?
Apr 14, 2020
Social Emotional Health
Dr. Aileen Fullchange explains why practicing yoga during a pandemic is a powerful tool for regulating emotions and managing stress..
Apr 14, 2020
Parenting Home Learning
With all of the demands of schooling at home, it can be easy to lose sight of one very important thing: play. But we are here to remind you that play is very important.
Apr 10, 2020
Parenting Home Learning
In today’s hyper-connected world, it’s easy to see what everyone else is doing. As a result, we often fall into the comparison trap. We're here to help you get out of that trap.
Apr 09, 2020
Parenting Home Learning
Now that we've had some experience working at home with children, it's time to pause and reflect on what's working and what should be changed. Who should you ask to help you reevaluate? The kids!
Apr 08, 2020
Parenting Home Learning
These days, as we practice social distancing and stay home to the extent possible, support from our network looks different. While calling on support networks is more challenging during this time, it’s also more important than ever.
Apr 07, 2020
Parenting Home Learning
It’s the start of a new week, and many parents have now been schooling at home for a week or more. Let’s take a moment today to pause the juggling and think about the positives.
Apr 06, 2020
Parenting Home Learning
Schooling at home during a global crisis has mostly likely caused at least one moment of stress or anxiety. This is perfectly natural but it’s also important that we manage our feelings during this challenging time.
Apr 03, 2020
Parenting Home Learning
Kids thrive on routine. They need to know what to expect and what is expected of them. Routines help kids have a sense of control and predictability in their lives.
Apr 02, 2020
Parenting Home Learning
Builders often use scaffolding to allow workers to reach heights until the structure of the building is secure enough. Similarly, we can use scaffolding to help children increase their knowledge over time.
Apr 01, 2020
Parenting Home Learning
Each day, we’re sharing tips to help families manage this new reality of school at home. Today’s tip is to check your expectations.
Mar 31, 2020
Parenting Home Learning
COVID-19 has rearranged the way we live, and schooling at home is a new demand that thousands of families face. Each day, we'll share something you can do each day to manage anxiety and thrive in this new experience. Today's Tip: Acknowledge Your Feelings.
Mar 30, 2020
Parenting Social Emotional Health
COVID-19 has dramatically changed the way we live, work and experience the world around us as we practice social distancing. Here are three ways I am prioritizing self-care as a full-time parent who is also working full-time from home.
Mar 24, 2020
Social Emotional Health
The COVID-19 pandemic is overwhelming and has left many feeling anxious. As someone diagnosed with anxiety, this pandemic can quickly feel like too much to handle. When I feel anxious, I have learned four techniques to help bring relief.
Mar 24, 2020
Parenting Activities
The reality of COVID-19 is an unparalleled time in our country’s history to pause, spend quality time with our families and find creative ways to engage our children. Here are some top activities to have fun as a family:
Mar 19, 2020
Education Home Learning
Momentous School Principal Daniel Knoll shares what's currently most on his mind during this global pandemic.
Mar 18, 2020
Parenting Education Home Learning
Here are some learning strategies to walk through together at home so you don’t just survive with your children, but thrive.
Mar 18, 2020
Parenting Relationships
Social distancing allows children to learn a valuable lesson, maybe one of the most important lessons of their childhood. Read more.
Mar 17, 2020
Parenting Education Home Learning
In the United States, schools are closing at a rapid pace and parents are in uncharted waters to figure out how to homeschool their children. We’ve got three strategies that will help!
Mar 17, 2020
Parenting
There’s no question that the Coronavirus COVID-19 is taking over our thoughts and conversations. This has left many parents wondering what they should say – and not say – to their children. Here are a few things to keep in mind in deciding what to share.
Mar 13, 2020
Parenting
Tired children have a harder time focusing at school, regulating their emotions and interacting with their peers. We have three tips to help your children get healthy sleep.
Mar 09, 2020
Education Social Emotional Health
Meet Ms. Garcia as she walks us through Momentous Institute’s Strategic Intervention Model that equipped her with tools to help her student, Sarah.
Dec 05, 2019
Relationships Trauma
Often, when we hear the word “therapy,” we think of a client lying on a couch answering questions about their mom. At Momentous Institute, therapy looks different. Find out how!
Dec 05, 2019
Self-Awareness
Language is powerful. It can build up or tear down, lift up or discourage. What if we all sought to find ways to change the labels surrounding others?
Dec 05, 2019
News
Learn about our partnerships with Toyota and the National Center for Families Learning that will benefit the families of Momentous Institute!
Dec 05, 2019
News
Recap 2019's Changing the Odds: Hidden Factors, which brought together internationally-renowned speakers to discuss key influences that affect children today.
Dec 05, 2019
Brain Research Social Emotional Health
What does a child need to know about the brain? We break it down and share the three basics that we believe children should learn.
Oct 15, 2019
Education Parenting
While homework aids students with repetition exercises and memory, it can often limit evening family time. These three strategies will help children succeed in school without homework.
Jul 08, 2019
As Momentous Institute continues to prioritize social emotional health across every program, find out how its internal focus on diversity, equity and inclusion is aligning on a deeper level with its mission.
Jul 08, 2019
News
How did Momentous Institute use the game of golf to increase partnerships with Southern Dallas organizations? Check out all Momentous Institute has learned from collaborating with organizations like Bonton Farms beyond tournament week.
Jul 08, 2019
Social Emotional Health
What is social emotional health and why does it matter? Learn more about why social emotional health is the heartbeat of Momentous Institute!
Jul 08, 2019
Parenting Equity Race
Parents understand it is important for children to celebrate the differences of others. Here are a few strategies that can help children value their unique friendships.
Jul 08, 2019
Education News
Momentous Institute is passionate about being a leading voice for equipping educators with trauma-informed practices and had the opportunity in May to take part in advocating for Texas House Bill 18, which just passed in the Senate! Learn more about House Bill 18, how Momentous Institute is working with legislators and how social emotional health is being showcased throughout political platforms.
Jul 08, 2019
News
Learn more about our partnerships with The Meadows Foundation and the N.W. Harllee Early Childhood Center.
Jul 08, 2019
Brain Parenting
When you ask a teenager, "Why did you DO that?" and you get the blank stare -- remember, their brain is still under construction.
Jun 24, 2019
Parenting
We've adapted Dr. Gottman's Four Horsemen metaphor for working with teenagers. Take a look!
Jun 12, 2019
Social Emotional Health
The amazing Dr. Christine Carter shares this guest post on why "slacking off" isn't such a bad idea.
Apr 14, 2019
Brain Social Emotional Health
What part of the brain is the child using? How can we help guide her through this situation? Dive into a little brain lesson with us!
Apr 07, 2019
Race Education Equity
Dear White Teachers, Are you like me, a white teacher in a classroom with mostly students of color? Do you feel secretly uncomfortable at the idea of talking about race in the classroom? Keep reading...
Apr 02, 2019
Parenting Relationships
How are adult relationships impacted by our childhood attachment style? Read on to learn more.
Apr 01, 2019
Social Emotional Health Parenting
Given its importance, how can we create environments where all children gain a sense of belonging? Here are three strategies that can help:
Feb 11, 2019
Parenting Equity Race
Every child deserves the opportunity to be successful based on his or her unique gifts and talents, but not every child has equitable opportunities.
Jan 29, 2019
Breathing Self-Regulation
Students at Momentous School engage in mindful breathing at least three times a day. How? Why? Watch this brief video to learn more.
Jan 06, 2019
Parenting
Thanks to Norman Rockwell and other idealistic portrayals of the holiday season, expectations for blissed-out perfection run high at this time of year. Reality, however, rarely measures up. Schedules are off, sugar intake is high, and Aunt Thelma is in town… Yikes!
Here are three strategies to help navigate holiday stressors.
Dec 05, 2018
Social Emotional Health Parenting
We reached out to everyone on the Momentous staff and asked what everyone does in their own families to show gratitude on Thanksgiving. Here are some of the responses.
Nov 25, 2018
Social Emotional Health Parenting
There’s nothing wrong with a good Black Friday deal, but if you’re looking to avoid the crowds this year, we’ve got an Anti- "Black Friday" suggestion for you.
Nov 23, 2018
Education Feelings
We recently read Eric Jensen's book, "Teaching with Poverty in Mind". Find out more about why we love the concept of the emotional keyboard.
Nov 12, 2018
Equity Education
Nutrition is a vital part of a child's development. For children living in poverty, there are obstacles that prevent access to healthy food, which in turn affects their performance in school.
Nov 05, 2018
Education Equity
In this post, we discuss the inherent bias in standardized tests and how students' life experiences and socioeconomic situations affect their ability to perform on standardized tests.
Oct 29, 2018
Education Equity
How much does it cost to educate a child in poverty? We break down school funding and look at the effect of poverty on education cost.
Oct 22, 2018
Parenting
Six strategies for maximizing the positive aspects of adolescence.
Oct 20, 2018
Equity
Poverty is a complex issue with many layers. In this post we outline three main things that we believe every adult should understand about how poverty affects children.
Oct 15, 2018
Equity Brain
Statistics show that poverty has negative outcomes on children. We explore why this is by looking at how poverty impacts brain development.
Oct 08, 2018
Equity Education
How we talk about poverty matters. In this post, we take a look at how we define and talk about poverty.
Oct 01, 2018
Equity
This next series on our Momentous Institute blog will focus on poverty. Specifically, what impact does growing up in poverty have on children?
Sep 24, 2018
Equity
Each year five million children witness domestic violence in the US. Our Associate Director of Development, Tania Loenneker, discusses how domestic violence affects children.
Sep 17, 2018
Equity
In preparation for our upcoming Changing the Odds conference, a group of us read Queen Bees and Wannabes by guest speaker Rosalind Wiseman. Here are some of our thoughts and a bit about why we love this book.
Sep 10, 2018
Equity Education
Both boys and girls bully and are bullied. In this post, we take a look at some key differences in how boys and girls bully.
Sep 05, 2018
Equity Book Reviews
Jacob's New Dress is a children's book that explore what happens when a young boy wants to wear a dress to school. Read our review to find out what we love about this book.
Aug 27, 2018
Equity
The family unit is an important part of the gender discussion. This week we're sharing an article from Willow McCormick about the importance of recognizing that not all students come from a traditional nuclear family.
Aug 20, 2018
Equity Book Reviews
Discussing gender equity with children is an important part of Social Emotional Health. My Princess Boy is a children's book that discusses the challenges a gender non-conforming child faces. Read our review to learn more.
Aug 13, 2018
Equity
When we have conversations about a gender fluid child, we have to remember that the child is a member of a family. In this post we are looking at how a gender fluid child's experience can impact their siblings.
Aug 06, 2018
Equity
Our content specialist, Michelle, recently watched a documentary called “Gender Revolution”. Read her thoughts about how the documentary shines a light on how gender (and conversations about gender) affects everyone from young children to adults.
Jul 30, 2018
Equity Education
Taylor Freeman shares a powerful story about a time when she asked students to line up by gender... and what she learned from it.
Jul 23, 2018
Equity Parenting
Continuing our discussion about gender fluid children, we answer some common questions parents face when they have a very young child questioning their gender identity.
Jul 16, 2018
Parenting Equity
Parents of children who are transgender, gender fluid or gender questioning are on their own journey of acceptance. In this post we discuss that journey and the impact it can have.
Jul 09, 2018
Equity
When we talk about sex, sexuality, and gender, there are a lot of terms to keep track of. Even those of us who work in this space are constantly learning new titles and terms. It can feel overwhelming to make sure we’re using the right language. Read more...
Jun 25, 2018
Equity
Our office manager, Ashley, recently watched a documentary called “The Mask You Live In.” Read her thoughts about how the documentary affected her as a parent to a six-year-old boy.
Jun 18, 2018
Equity
We are continuing our discussion about differences between boys and girls and how they learn. In this post we take a look at gender differences in the most important biological component: the brain.
Jun 11, 2018
Equity
For today’s blog post, I spoke with Jennifer Bartkowski, the CEO of Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas. Keep reading to learn more about how the Girls Scouts are working to empower young women.
Jun 04, 2018
Equity
As we continue with our blog series on gender, we take a moment to assess how both boys and girls are currently doing in school. We've talked about the STEM gender gap, but what other gaps need attention?
May 28, 2018
Equity Education
Spaces and places, and how we move within them, are deeply rooted in gender. In this post, guest author April Larremore asks if these spaces are serving boys and girls equally. Read more...
May 14, 2018
Education Equity
Continuing to learn about how gender plays a role in education, I recently visited Young Men's Leadership Academy, and all-boys Middle School located in Southern Dallas. Read more about my visit.
May 07, 2018
Education Equity
I recently toured Solar Preparatory School for Girls, an elementary school in the Dallas Independent School District. Read my thoughts about this amazing all-girls campus!
Apr 30, 2018
Social Emotional Health Equity Research
Research shows that females tend to have higher levels of empathy than males. Our research team was interested in whether the same was true for elementary school students and whether there was anything we could do to change this trajectory by intervening at a young age. Read more...
Apr 23, 2018
Equity Education
It is widely accepted that careers in STEM fields are dominated by men, and that women and girls do not pursue these fields at the same level as their male peers. Through my research and practices, I want to share seven ways to help girls gain interest in STEM. Read more...
Apr 16, 2018
Education Equity
Today's conversation is with Mr. Jim Taylor, director of admissions at Cistercian Preparatory School, a small, private, all-boys school in Irving, Texas. Read more about what makes a boy's school unique...
Apr 09, 2018
Equity
We often talk about the stress response "fight, flight or freeze". But there's a twist: it might not apply for women. Read more...
Apr 02, 2018
Equity
Gender microaggressions are small, seemingly innocuous comments that can pile up over time and affect a person’s sense of self and identity. These microaggressions can become so commonplace that we don’t even notice them. Here are a few examples of common gender-related microaggressions... Read more.
Mar 26, 2018
Equity Education
It’s common to walk into an elementary school classroom and hear a teacher say, “Good morning, boys and girls!” Is there any harm in this approach? Let's take a look at the research.
Mar 19, 2018
Equity
In this next series on our blog, we will be exploring the topic of gender. We want to know what makes boys and girls different. How do they learn? How are they treated by adults? Join us as we explore a new series.
Mar 12, 2018
Equity
"When I work with young Latinos from at-risk backgrounds, one of the themes that eventually arises are long-term goals. They are often asked to dream big – to consider options outside of their current environment or circumstances. This can be very challenging." Keep reading...
Mar 05, 2018
Race Education Equity Strategies
This post comes from former Momentous School teacher, Jorgelina Marin, on helping students' develop a strong sense of self.
Feb 26, 2018
Equity Education Race
As adults, one of our first instincts is to protect and comfort children who are afraid. But that instinct can be challenging when a child’s fear is real, and there’s nothing we can do to protect them from it. One big area where we see this fear is around the topic of immigration. Keep reading...
Feb 19, 2018
Race Equity Trauma
"With great external work in society comes great work within ourselves, too. As we are confronted with emotions that seem too large to hold, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and to let rage drive us." Read more...
Feb 12, 2018
Race Equity
Have you heard the term “reverse racism”? Let’s break it down.
Feb 05, 2018
Equity
In African American communities, you might hear phrases like, “Therapy is for White people” or “We don’t do therapy.” Read more about how to overcome barriers to mental health access for African American communities...
Jan 22, 2018
Race Equity
"Many educators, including myself, have failed to make the children we work with feel seen—because for many years, we have not acknowledged race as a fundamental element of identity. We need to make space for race. But how?" Read more...
Jan 15, 2018
Race Equity
Parents have the opportunity to help teens explore these racial differences. It may sound intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Keep reading...
Jan 08, 2018
Trauma
Are you navigating your first holiday season since the loss of a loved one?
Dec 23, 2017
Parenting Equity Race
Minerva Holmes asked her mixed-race family members to weigh in on what it's like growing up bi-racial. Here's what they had to say...
Dec 18, 2017
Equity Race
Read our four considerations for creating meaningful diversity opportunities for children.
Dec 11, 2017
Race Equity
We make many assumptions about the race and ethnicity of others. Let's talk about some commonly misused and misunderstood identifiers. Keep reading...
Dec 04, 2017
Equity
There’s nothing quite as upsetting or challenging as a child making a racist comment. How do we respond? Read more.
Nov 27, 2017
Social Emotional Health Parenting
When adults go on an airplane, we understand why we’re lining up, or taking our shoes off. But a 2-year-old might find the whole thing a little crazy.
Nov 20, 2017
Race Education Equity
Misconceptions and misinformation can quickly become the norm if educators do not address differences within a classroom. Here are some tips for how teachers can be proactive in the process of talking about race and ethnicity in the classroom.
Nov 20, 2017
Race Equity Parenting
Race is a topic that many parents shy away from. However, parents must realize that when nothing is said about race, a lot is actually being communicated. Read more...
Nov 13, 2017
Equity Education
"We were on a seventh grade class field trip. I don’t remember where. I do however, remember being in the elevator. He stood behind me and touched my body, without my consent." Read on...
Nov 06, 2017
Social Emotional Health
This is around the time of year when teachers start feeling overwhelmed. Here are Sandy Nobles’ top three self-care suggestions.
Nov 02, 2017
Race Equity
If you’ve been in any conversations about race, you’ve likely heard the term “microaggressions”. You may be wondering two things – what are they, and what is the big deal? Keep reading...
Oct 30, 2017
Equity Race
We all have stereotypes. But the reality is, they can be very harmful. Read on.
Oct 23, 2017
Race Equity
We’ve talked about how the “colorblindness” approach is not the most helpful way to interact with people of different races and cultures. Now you may be wondering… but what is the best approach?
Oct 16, 2017
Race Equity
A published letter from Naomi Tutu, daughter of South African president Desmond Tutu, further explains why her friend's comment, “I don’t think of you as Black” was offensive to her. Read the excerpt and reflect.
Oct 09, 2017
Race Equity
One pervasive approach to working in communities of color is the so-called “colorblind” approach. We’ve all heard the line, “I don’t see color.”
But there’s a fatal flaw in this approach.
Oct 02, 2017
Race Equity
The term “white privilege” has entered the common vocabulary when discussing issues related to race. We hear it all the time, but today we want to take a minute to really explore the topic. What is “white privilege” and what can we do about it?
Sep 25, 2017
Race Equity
In the coming weeks, we will share strategies about how to have these difficult conversations with kids. But before any conversations take place, let’s do some reflecting about race and the children in our lives.
Sep 18, 2017
We've all done it: focused all of our energy on that one negative comment rather than the 100 positive comments. Dr. Rick Hanson explains why.
Sep 14, 2017
Race Equity
Before we go any further on discussions about race, we have to talk about the starting line.
Sep 11, 2017
Race Equity
Like with all things, silence speaks loudly. When we don’t talk about subjects that matter, we’re explicitly making a choice to be silent.
So, let’s talk about race.
Sep 04, 2017
Education
For some back-to-school motivation, watch this story of how relationships make all the difference.
Aug 28, 2017
Education Social Emotional Health
Make yourself comfortable and enjoy this full tour of our elementary lab school, where we focus on social emotional health in concert with rigorous academics.
Aug 21, 2017
Education Parenting
It’s back to school season, which means teachers everywhere are setting up classrooms and getting ready for the new year. At Momentous School, August means home visits: a week-long excursion visiting every student in his/her home. Keep reading...
Aug 14, 2017
Education
The students at Momentous School are hard at work on their summer reading. And we know they're enjoying it, because we can see their progress! Read more about how we went digital with summer reading...
Jul 31, 2017
Education Relationships Social Emotional Health
"It wasn't too far into the year when Cristina considered quitting her job. She loves teaching and knows that it's her passion in life. But this student had pushed so many buttons that she thought it might be time to walk away." Read more...
Jul 03, 2017
Education Social Emotional Health
Teachers often set expectations for students. But another step is sometimes left out: expectations for the teacher. Read more!
Jun 19, 2017
Education Social Emotional Health
We don't like to play favorites, but... we do love this classroom! Join us for the next stop on our tour of Momentous School.
May 29, 2017
Education Parenting
We’re big on parent involvement at Momentous School. Learn about how we involve families in our school community through our Parent Center.
May 15, 2017
Education Social Emotional Health
Ever heard a teacher say, "Please don't touch the walls"? At Momentous School, we say, "Go ahead! Touch the walls!"
May 08, 2017
Education Social Emotional Health
Want to know more about what happens in our elementary school? Join us as we showcase our work and strategies in action.
Apr 24, 2017
Book Reviews Parenting
No one has time to read hundreds of books, especially parents! We've narrowed it to one recommended book for each period of adolescence. Plus - our favorite book for kids at each age, too!
Apr 17, 2017
Parenting
Sensory Processing can be a difficult topic to understand. This guest post from Dr. Jamie Chaves at The Center for Connection takes a deeper look.
Apr 04, 2017
Parenting
Technology isn't going away, but childhood is. This post is a friendly reminder to put away your phone and be present with your children.
Mar 28, 2017
Social Emotional Health
Our Huddle Up team members weigh in on how they use language in their program with teenagers.
Mar 27, 2017
Parenting
This may be the oldest trick in the book, but...
Mar 20, 2017
Parenting
You're wandering the aisles at the grocery store. Then, it happens. The tantrum.
Mar 16, 2017
Parenting
Let’s be honest – kids don’t need another boring adult telling them what to do.
Mar 13, 2017
Parenting
In this post, we discuss how to manage romantic relationships when children are involved. Keep reading...
Mar 11, 2017
Parenting
If we were to think that the kids were bad or broken, they would know. Read more...
Mar 06, 2017
Parenting
There's one very important concept we want everyone to know: attunement. What is attunement, and what do you need to know about it?
Feb 27, 2017
Parenting
We love the idea from Dr. Gottman about the magic ratio of positivity to negativity.
Feb 20, 2017
Take the YES challenge with your teenager. Let us know your results!
Feb 06, 2017
Parenting
The time has come. Your child is asking for her own cell phone. What do you do next?
Feb 05, 2017
There are really two ways to navigate the world. We can move away from things we fear, or we can move towards things we love.
Jan 30, 2017
It's so easy to get caught up in the daily work of raising teenagers that we forget to look forward. Keep reading...
Jan 23, 2017
Inside your teenager is the sweet little girl she once was. Take a moment to remember that.
Jan 16, 2017
"If your teenager fails a test, that doesn’t mean she will never go to college. If your teenager gets in a fight, that doesn’t mean he’ll end up in prison." Keep reading...
Jan 09, 2017
If teenagers have a superpower, it’s the ability to shoot a dagger right where it hurts. Say it with us now. It's not personal.
Jan 02, 2017
This one tiny step can completely change an interaction with a teenager.
Dec 26, 2016
Our second grade teachers share about their new classroom visitor.
Dec 19, 2016
"How was your day?" "Fine." - Sound familiar? Read on...
Nov 28, 2016
So you're trying to connect with a teenager and getting nowhere. Try putting her in the role of consultant!
Nov 21, 2016
Got a teenager who won't talk? Try this simple strategy!
Nov 14, 2016
Social Emotional Health
Is social media becoming a huge part of your teens' social world? Try this activity to connect with them.
Nov 11, 2016
Don't run away from your monster. Hug it instead!
Nov 07, 2016
The teenager years are a time to reframe our thinking on failure and struggle...
Oct 24, 2016
The idea of dealing with adolescents can often be daunting for parents and educators. We'd like to reframe how we think about teenagers. Read on...
Oct 10, 2016
It's here! Our favorite week of the year!
Oct 03, 2016
Most of us experience stress on a daily basis, and our bodies are designed to handle small amounts of stress. But what happens when our bodies and brains experience stress on a frequent, ongoing basis, or when stress is severe? Read this guest post from Dr. Jamie Chaves to learn more.
Sep 26, 2016
Social Emotional Health
In a moment of quiet between the pain, anger, and sadness, take a moment to send compassionate, loving energy toward yourself, someone you love, or perhaps someone who needs love dearly.
Aug 22, 2016
Parenting
The incredibly inspirational Lizzie Velasquez shares this guest post on advice for parents of children with disabilities. Read on...
Aug 15, 2016
Parenting
We know that a secure attachment is best for children, but what happens when they don’t have that? What does that look like for children, and how can we, as adults who work with children, care for and connect with these kids?
Aug 08, 2016
Some children need extra support when they're facing a separation from their parents, even if it's just a brief time away. Read on for strategies on how to ease the separation.
Aug 01, 2016
Social Emotional Health
Dacher Keltner, author of The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence contributes this guest blog on Viral Compassion. Keep reading...
Jul 25, 2016
Michelle Kinder shares her thoughts on talking to children about recent events in this editorial on time.com.
Jul 18, 2016
Parenting
Read Michelle Kinder's post in TIME on terrible things the election is teaching children, and how to counter them.
Jul 11, 2016
Parenting
In light of last night's tragic violence in Dallas, we are re-posting this article with advice for talking to children about bad things in the news.
Jul 08, 2016
The wonderful Dr. Tina Payne Bryson shares about attachment in this guest video blog post. Take a look!
Jul 04, 2016
Learn more about the single greatest predictor of success for children in this deep dive into attachment.
Jun 27, 2016
Book Reviews
Read our book review of Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Dr. Kristin Neff.
Jun 20, 2016
Social Emotional Health
Guest Melissa Marks Garner offers 6 tips to soften your inner critic and be kinder to yourself. Keep reading...
Jun 13, 2016
Education
Dive deeper into our relationship with Susan Kaiser Greenland by reading about our recent Skype session.
Jun 06, 2016
Education
Our Director of Education Sandy Nobles shares more about our in-depth work with Susan Kaiser Greenland. Read more...
May 30, 2016
Social Emotional Health
Michelle Kinder has a tool that has changed the way she and her team operated. Read on...
May 23, 2016
Education Feelings
Learn how one teacher overcame the urge to yell when frustrated, and how that impacted her classroom.
May 16, 2016
Breathing
"I used to have a picture in my mind of what a meditator looked like. I am not that woman. Not by a long shot. But I do meditate every day and here’s why."
May 09, 2016
Social Emotional Health
Extending care to others usually comes easily to most people. But we can run ourselves ragged if ALL we do is care for others.
May 02, 2016
Social Emotional Health
If self-care was as simple as getting a manicure when you’re stressed out, we’d all be in good shape. But it’s not. Keep reading...
Apr 25, 2016
If you’re operating out of stress, frustration, and anxiety, you’re not going to be able to be that calm, collected and caring adult that the children need from you. Join us as we dive into the topic of self-care.
Apr 18, 2016
Parenting
There are many ways to think about ADHD, but here's another one.
Apr 13, 2016
Parenting Equity
We've talked about raising girls. But there's a lot to say about raising boys, too. Dr. Matt Leahy weighs in.
Apr 11, 2016
Wouldn’t it be nice if we gave directions and our kids followed them… the first time…every time? Now come back to reality. Let's chat about kids who aren't following directions.
Apr 08, 2016
Parenting
Should we tell our children what to do? Should we let them make their own decisions? Read our back and forth conversation about allowing children to question authority.
Apr 06, 2016
Parenting Equity
Raising a girl to be strong, competent and engaged can feel like a daunting task. These strategies might help.
Apr 01, 2016
Parenting
Sometimes I need this reminder, so I wanted to share it in case others needed reminding, too.
Mar 30, 2016
Parenting
Moving to a new house? Switching schools? How can we help children transition through these big changes in life? Keep reading...
Mar 25, 2016
Parenting
When a child is old enough to access technology, gets a cell phone of her own and starts signing up for social media accounts, many parents wonder how to monitor. Read her text messages? Know her Facebook password? Here's our advice.
Mar 23, 2016
Parenting
We know that trying to fix our children's problems for them doesn't usually work. So what should we do when they want to talk?
Mar 21, 2016
Parenting
We want kids to understand that the goal of learning is to use what they know to help others and make the world a better place.
Mar 18, 2016
Parenting
Raising children with two cultures is both an amazing opportunity and an occasional challenge. Read more...
Mar 14, 2016
Parenting
A reader wrote in to ask us how to set appropriate consequences for her children. Read our response...
Mar 09, 2016
Parenting
Helping children cope with grief can be one of the hardest challenges we face as adults. Here is a breakdown by age that can help you connect at an appropriate level.
Mar 07, 2016
Parenting
Let's talk about how to raise a child to be un-spoiled, and how to un-spoil a child who we accidentally let go down the wrong path a little too long.
Mar 04, 2016
Parenting
You probably haven't thought about anger like this before.
Mar 02, 2016
Parenting
How to talk to teens about drinking, PLUS - what to do when they slip up. Keep reading...
Feb 29, 2016
Parenting
As parents, our first instinct might be to take over and solve this issue for our children. Read this post for a different method for handling bullying.
Feb 26, 2016
Parenting
When working with kids with anxiety, our goal shouldn't be to get rid of it altogether, but we definitely want to give kids tools to help them channel it. Keep reading...
Feb 22, 2016
Parenting
What do I tell my kid when bad things happen in the news? How much is too much? Should I not say anything? Answers to your pressing questions about talking to kids about current events.
Feb 19, 2016
Parenting
If you think someone you love is in an abusive relationship, keep reading...
Feb 17, 2016
Parenting
This post is part of our “I’m Stumped: Our Answers to Your Common Parenting Dilemmas” series.
Feb 15, 2016
Parenting
We've all been there. The dreaded power struggle. Here's how to avoid the land of "Because I said so."
Feb 12, 2016
Parenting
Part two of "How to Talk to Your Kids About Divorce" focuses on the ongoing relationship with your co-parent and children.
Feb 10, 2016
Parenting
In this two-part post, we'll share strategies for supporting your children through your divorce.
Feb 08, 2016
Parenting
Part of our "I'm Stumped" series - read this post on how to respond when your child tells you a lie.
Feb 03, 2016
Our dear friend, Dr. Rick Hanson, shares this wonderful guest blog post. Read on!
Jan 27, 2016
This is a very, very simple trick for helping kids when they get stuck.
Jan 25, 2016
Trauma Social Emotional Health
Have you ever asked a child, “Why did you do that?” or “How do you feel about that?” Has the response ever been, “I dunno”? A blank stare?
Jan 22, 2016
Trauma Social Emotional Health
The stories shared here will change the way you view difficult children and will give you new insight into the children you work with.
Jan 20, 2016
Parenting Social Emotional Health
This simple strategy can diffuse tension, break free from power struggles, and even help solve behavioral issues.
Jan 08, 2016
Do you work with adolescents? Have you bought into the “raging hormones” myth?
Jan 06, 2016
On the first week of school, we did something a little crazy. We set up an activity that we knew the kids would fail.
Jan 04, 2016
Social Emotional Health Trauma
You get that feeling in your throat. You don’t know what to say or do. Ask him follow-up questions? Send him to the counselor? Change the subject?
Dec 28, 2015
Social Emotional Health Trauma
Many of us are able to bounce back from failure. But for kids who are in trauma, failure can sometimes feel like the end of the world.
Dec 18, 2015
Social Emotional Health Trauma
Transitions can be tricky. Especially for kids who have experienced trauma. Try these simple strategies to help.
Dec 14, 2015
Social Emotional Health Trauma
The rougher your childhood is, the more challenges you’ll face later in life. This is the premise behind the ACE study. What is it? Learn more...
Dec 11, 2015
Social Emotional Health Trauma
It has been estimated that each year, over one million children in the United States are misdiagnosed with a mental illness that could be better explained by trauma.
Dec 09, 2015
Social Emotional Health Trauma
We’re diving into a series on trauma. We hope to give you a greater understanding of trauma and how it might be affecting the children you work with.
Dec 07, 2015
Social Emotional Health
Our response to a question via Twitter on how to manage test-taking anxiety. Read our tips!
Dec 02, 2015
Book Reviews
Read our book review of The Tooth by Avi Slovdovnick, and check out the video!
Nov 30, 2015
Social Emotional Health Parenting
This is a great tool to use for any big experience – the holidays, a trip, a new house, a new baby, a doctor’s appointment.
Nov 18, 2015
Book Reviews Social Emotional Health
Have you ever had a wonderful idea? You can just picture it in your head – it’s going to be amazing! Then you go to execute your idea, and – well…
Nov 13, 2015
Social Emotional Health
If we want kids to be good friends, we have to teach them what makes someone a good friend. Try this!
Oct 26, 2015
Social Emotional Health
There’s one thing that is found in every single classroom in our school. Read on to learn about the most important classroom display.
Oct 23, 2015
Social Emotional Health Activities
Kids have different parts of themselves that they show to others. Use this strategy to help learn more about a child's complex self.
Oct 21, 2015
Social Emotional Health
We are all feeling inspired from an amazing two days of learning! Read the recap on day one of the Changing the Odds Conference.
Oct 14, 2015
Education Activities
Have a child fill a bag with a special item from home. Read more...
Oct 12, 2015
Social Emotional Health Parenting
What do you do when your 8-year old decides she no longer likes soccer halfway through the season? Do you ask her to stick it out so that she’s not a quitter? Do you teach her to follow through with her commitments? Do you let her walk away?
Sep 30, 2015
Book Reviews Book Reviews
There are plenty of books about persisting with something and thinking outside the box, but few as funny and creative as Stuck. Read our review!
Sep 23, 2015
Perhaps the simplest way to build resilience in kids is to just switch our language. Try this!
Sep 18, 2015
Kids will love this funny read-aloud book about a kid named Louie whose story just keeps getting ruined. Poor Louie! He can’t tell his story because it keeps getting messed up. Keep reading...
Sep 16, 2015
We all want our children to be kind and successful, and yet we often don’t fully articulate those visions. Try this!
Sep 11, 2015
Book Reviews Social Emotional Health
Do you know a kid who gives up when things aren't working out for him? Read "Ish" and remind him that just because we didn't get it right the first time, we definitely shouldn't give up.
Sep 09, 2015
Social Emotional Health Parenting
There's no way to protect children from encountering obstacles. The best we can do is teach them how to overcome challenges, learn from them, and grow stronger as a result.
Sep 07, 2015
I know "easy" isn't a bad word in the traditional sense. But here's why I banned it in my classroom.
Aug 31, 2015
Social Emotional Health
"We have to treat everyone like they are the butterfly, not the ugly caterpillar." Read this post from Momentous School Music Teacher Kevin Roberts about a lesson in kindness.
Aug 28, 2015
Social Emotional Health Education
Momentous School teachers visit each student in his/her home at the start of the school year. Watch this video to learn more about the impact that home visits make on the kids, parents, and teachers all year long.
Aug 10, 2015
Social Emotional Health Trauma
Kids who have experienced trauma or neglect may have a more difficult time empathizing with others. Read on for strategies.
Jul 24, 2015
Social Emotional Health
Momentous Institute staff and students share their definition of empathy in this video. Take a look!
Jul 20, 2015
What is empathy? Delilah, an 8-year old and second grade student at Momentous School can tell you!
Jul 13, 2015
Social Emotional Health
We love love love this animated video from Brené Brown about the difference between empathy and sympathy.
Jul 08, 2015
Social Emotional Health Parenting
We’re raising tomorrow’s adults. What kind of friend do you want to be surrounded by? What kind of employee do you want to hire?
Jul 06, 2015
Get yourself a large magnifying glass and use it as your "perspective lens" to help kids see another person's perspective.
Jul 03, 2015
Social Emotional Health Activities Parenting
How would someone feel if he found out that his best friend was moving to a new city far away? Try this and other questions to help kids think about another person's perspective.
Jul 01, 2015
Social Emotional Health
Like the seven blind mice, kids need to learn the important lesson that we don't always see things in the same ways as others, but that another person's perspective is just as important as our own.
Jun 26, 2015
Social Emotional Health
Remember the game Battleship? Take the game to a new level by building in some perspective-taking questions.
Jun 22, 2015
Social Emotional Health
Try this simple name change trick to have a deep, rich conversation with a child.
Jun 17, 2015
Social Emotional Health Activities Parenting
Perspective taking is all about looking at things in a different way. Sometimes that can be really, really difficult for kids. The magic sunglasses are a concrete way to get the idea through to them, and it makes a huge difference.
Jun 15, 2015
Social Emotional Health Parenting
Often kids see the world in black and white. Encouraging a child to think about a different perspective can help.
Jun 12, 2015
Social Emotional Health Parenting
Being able to take someone else’s perspective is a precursor to empathy. Before we can really understand and empathize with another, we must first be able to step into their shoes and see the world from their point of view. What does that mean? Read on.
Jun 08, 2015
Book Reviews Social Emotional Health
"A kid who reads this book can think about how happiness can help him overcome whatever shark he’s facing – whether it’s a bully, a negative person, or a toxic relationship. Happiness is contagious!" Read more in this book review of "Ripple's Effect."
Jun 05, 2015
Book Reviews Social Emotional Health
It would be wonderful if we lived in a world where we didn’t need this book. But because terrible things do happen, "A Terrible Thing Happened" is incredibly helpful. Read our review of this book for children who have witnessed violence or trauma.
Jun 03, 2015
Social Emotional Health Education
Our students spend more time in our classroom than they do even with their own families. How can we make this home away from home a comfortable place? Try this simple idea from our fourth grade teacher, Kim Robinson.
Jun 01, 2015
Social Emotional Health Trauma
Why on Earth are we talking about cat hair? We promise this is relevant. Watch this short video to learn more about how a cat hair has anything to do with stress.
May 25, 2015
Self-Awareness Education Social Emotional Health
All year long my fifth grade class talks about champions. What is a champion? Are champions only athletes? Are champions only famous people? Heavens no! All of us can be champions!
May 22, 2015
News Education Social Emotional Health
In the number one most viewed TED talk of all time, Sir Ken Robinson argues that schools are killing creativity. Read on to learn more about this message, and a chance to hear from Robinson in person!
May 20, 2015
Book Reviews Social Emotional Health
Get a sneak peek of this soon-to-be-released book: "The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed"
May 11, 2015
Self-Awareness Social Emotional Health
"As I’m sure you can guess, many of the teenagers don’t mind talking about what they did well, but they often shut down when asked about the frustrations. Although we honor their resistance to sharing, we also invite them to learn grit." Read more...
May 06, 2015
Social Emotional Health Education
A Momentous Institute intern asks her fellow college students about social emotional health. What does she discover in their responses? Read on.
May 01, 2015
Social Emotional Health
The work we do as therapists is difficult. But little moments make it all worth it. Summer Rose shares about one such moment.
Apr 29, 2015
Self-Awareness Social Emotional Health
Our outlook on life gives us the flexibility to bounce back and keep moving. It gives us the vision to try again or in another way. Keep reading...
Apr 27, 2015
Breathing Social Emotional Health
Watch this short video to see Momentous School art teacher using mindfulness to help with the transition back to class.
Mar 13, 2015
Education Social Emotional Health
Watch this short video on how Momentous School's principal, Sandy Nobles, uses social emotional health strategies to reinforce positive discipline.
Mar 04, 2015
Social Emotional Health Breathing
When we practice mindfulness, we are happier, healthier and have improved overall well-being. Sounds pretty great, right? Read on for more.
Feb 13, 2015
Self-Regulation Social Emotional Health
Children who can control their impulses are more independent, have more friends, develop broader vocabularies, feel more confident, and make better choices. Read on for more about why we should teach kids about impulse control.
Feb 02, 2015
Feelings Social Emotional Health
Here's a roundup of some of our favorite videos about feelings, from who else? The brilliant minds at Sesame Street.
Jan 30, 2015
Book Reviews Feelings Social Emotional Health
Here's our book review on Lauren Rubenstein's "Visiting Feelings". This is a great book to read with children to help them understand that feelings come and go!
Jan 14, 2015
Feelings Activities Social Emotional Health
Sometimes children get stuck in a feeling and have a hard time moving on. It’s important to teach kids that feelings can melt away. Here’s a really visual way to drive that lesson home for kids.
Jan 09, 2015
Feelings Parenting Research Social Emotional Health
Instead of, "You seem really grumpy today," try, "The grumpy seems to be big and in charge right now." Read on to see how to use the idea of externalizing behavior to help kids with their feelings.
Dec 22, 2014
Feelings Parenting Social Emotional Health
Sometimes kids think their emotions are permanent. Use this simple analogy to help them understand that they're not actually going to feel sad FOREVER.
Dec 19, 2014
Feelings Parenting Social Emotional Health
Feelings are a normal part of being human. One of the most important things we can teach children is how to deal with their feelings appropriately.
Dec 17, 2014
Breathing Self-Regulation
The Hoberman Sphere is one of our favorite tools for teaching kids about breathing. Check it out!
Dec 12, 2014
Brain Social Emotional Health
Our brains are like a rubber band. The more we practice, the more it can stretch and grow. Use actual rubber bands to help kids understand this important concept. Read on.
Nov 21, 2014
Momentous Institute Psychologist Dr. Matt Leahy discusses using mindful analogies to answer the question, "Why am I in therapy?"
Nov 05, 2014
Parenting Social Emotional Health
How do we talk about core values with the families at Momentous School? Read this post from first grade teacher Ashley Stephenson.
Nov 03, 2014
Book Reviews Parenting
The Whole-Brain Child is one of our favorite books for anyone who works with kids. Read this quick review, and then grab a copy and read the whole thing!
Oct 31, 2014
Brain Activities Social Emotional Health
Just like cities are made up of small and large buildings, so are our brains! Read how one Momentous School teacher got creative with this idea and created Brain City.
Oct 29, 2014
Social Emotional Health
Our work at Momentous Institute is based upon a model we developed for social emotional health. Read this post to learn about what steps are involved in building and repairing social emotional health in children.
Oct 24, 2014
Social Emotional Health Parenting
One simple three-letter word can totally transform a message and encourage kids to keep trying. Read on to learn more about this magic word!
Oct 22, 2014
Research Research Social Emotional Health
At Momentous Institute, we talk all the time about social emotional health. We say, “This stuff matters” and “This stuff works!” As a researcher, I wanted to substantiate these claims with data. So I began a research study about the effects of our social emotional curriculum on academic outcomes.
Sep 21, 2014
Book Reviews Book Reviews
Imagine this: a child gets an A on her spelling test. You tell her, “Great job! You are really smart.” Nothing wrong with that, right?
Sep 21, 2014
Want to feel hopeful about the future? Start prioritizing social emotional health.
Sep 20, 2014