Three Ingredients for Deep Friendships
Friendships can be hard to build, and sometimes even harder to maintain. Here are three ingredients that can build and sustain lasting friendships.
Relationships
Articles
Six Ways to Build Emotional Safety this School Year
As students come back to classrooms this fall, safety will be on everyone’s mind. And while physical safety is very important, emotional safety must also be front of mind. Here are a couple ways to increase emotional safety for students this school year.
What I Hope My Children Learn from these Uncertain Times
Social distancing allows children to learn a valuable lesson, maybe one of the most important lessons of their childhood. Read more.
Therapy: One Size Does Not Fit All
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!
Three Ways to Make Peace with Uncertainty
Anxious? Overwhelmed? Depressed by the news headlines? Here are three practices to help us deal with uncertainty.
How our Own Attachment Style Impacts our Relationships
How are adult relationships impacted by our childhood attachment style? Read on to learn more.
Why Hope Matters for Children and Families in Poverty
Our Changing the Odds speaker, Valerie Maholmes, shares a guest blog post about why hope matters. Keep reading...
Ready to Quit: A Teacher's Reflection on the Most Challenging Student of her Career
"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...
Huddle Up!
Why are Relationships So Important?
Safe, predictable, nurturing and loving relationships, especially in the early years of childhood, are critical. Why?
Friendly Wishes
An important element of social emotional health is kindness. In each interaction, we have the choice to be kind or unkind
Videos
Modeling in the Classroom (After Covid)
This past school year was was incredibly hard for teachers and here at Momentous Institute that was no different. Our pre-k teacher, Crystal Ramirez, talks to us about some of her struggles and how she worked through them coming back from virtual learning.
Classroom Culture
What is classroom culture and how do you create one? Our own 3rd grade teacher, Anthony Castro, can help!
Family Engagement
Why is it important for schools and teachers to build relationships with students' families? And how can you start?
We’re big on parent involvement at Momentous School. We want families to be connected to each other and form a supportive community, which then influences their involvement in the school community. We want our school to be a warm, welcoming space for families.
Modeling Mistakes
Kindergarten teacher, Derrick Hicks, Jr., describes why modeling mistakes is important in the classroom.
Where To Find Joy - with Ingrid Fetell Lee
Watch this short video featuring Ingrid Fetell Lee, author of Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness, for a little help on how to find joy. Ingrid was a featured speaker for our 2021 Changing the Odds conference - plans for our 2022 conference will be announced soon!
Mental Stress During the Holidays | Animated
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.
Safe Relationships | Students Who Pull Away
Trying to build Safe Relationships with students who pull away is very difficult, but it's important to be consistent. Stephanie McGary talks about ways to pull those kids back in.
Safe Relationships: Consistency and Predictability
Creating safe relationships in the classroom can be your number one priority as a teacher, but it can be daunting. Each student is different, so how can you connect with them in a safe and meaningful way? Our very own, Keisha Wright, opens up the conversation!
Safe Relationships: Common Interests
If you're looking to create safe relationships with students in the classroom, one easy way is to connect with them through shared, common interests. Our own Matthew Leahy, Ph.D. explains!
Safe Relationships: Praise
As teachers, we tend to focus on the negative of what students are outputting, but when building safe relationships, it's important to not be afraid to praise students on their efforts! Lauren Mann, Ph. D. tells us more about it!
Safe Relationships: Postures of Curiosity and Playfulness
Here are two postures to consider while teaching: a posture of Curiosity and a posture of Playfulness. The most important thing with utilizing these postures in the classroom - do what feels the most comfortable and genuine for yourself!
Safe Relationships: Language
Have you wondered how language can affect your relationship with the children in your home or classroom? Our own Karen Dumas explains!
Safe Relationships: Attunement
Our own Fred Lines explains attunement and mindful tracking in the classroom!
Safe Relationships: Adults on Campus
One of the keys to building safe relationships with students is making sure the adults on campus have safe relationships among themselves. Vickie Echols fills us in!
Safe Relationships: The Pressure of Building Relationships
Building Safe Relationships with your students is not an easy task, especially when you're working under academic pressure. We all want our kids to do well, so Kelly Richmond gives us 3 easy steps to remember when working towards safe relationships (chances are you might be doing them without realizing!).
Safe Relationships: Students Who Pull Away
Trying to build Safe Relationships with students who pull away is very difficult, but it's important to be consistent. Stephanie McGary talks about ways to pull those kids back in.
Safe Relationships: Non-Directive Play
Non-Directive play can be critical in developing meaningful relationships with children. Clinician Jeannette Grisales fills us in!
1 Minute Breakdown: Earned Secure Attachment
Our own Dr. Aileen Fullchange explains how someone can earn a secure attachment style throughout their lifetime.
1 Minute Breakdown: It's Not Personal
When dealing with children who might be dealing with some overwhelming emotions, it's important to remember that it's not personal.
Podcasts
Episode 21: Managing Healthy Relationships
Learn the warning signs of unhealthy relationships and tips for conversations with kids with guest Dena Kohleriter.
Episode 11: Building Sibling Relationships
Two or more kids? This episode is for you. We’re talking about ways to build strong relationships between siblings, how to manage competition, sibling rivalry, and much more.