While the seeds in the rocky mountain don’t get a choice on what they become, they just have to be resilient enough to break through the rock. We have the opportunity to make the choice on what we become when we break through the hard times in our lives. 

Here’s what we know: The Polyvagal Theory was introduced in 1994 by Dr. Stephen Porges. The Polyvagal Theory is based in neuroscience and gives us a better idea on how and why the brain, specifically the vagus nerve, reacts through emotion, fear response, and a sense of safety. 

It's like that in life too, if you don't set big lofty goals you'll never achieve more than you thought possible. Always aim for the highest possible goal and if you don't succeed look at how far you've come and be proud. If you believe you can do it, you can!

I had no idea, now my Bridgette Brand is known for bringing expertise and knowledge into the SEL space, bridging the gaps of misunderstanding of SEL and mental health, with a trauma informed approach.

As I sat there, fresh air, no screens, I was truly reminded what it means to slow down.

A few years ago I don’t think we truly understood what Imposter Syndrome was and how it affects each of us. I’ve struggled recently to know what to write about, how to approach this space, how to navigate marketing a book, where to begin with really developing a concept. 

People are watching us journey through life, learning from us, seeing us accomplishing our goals despite failures. They are watching and learning from us so that as they continue putting the pieces of their own lives together, their completion will continue impacting others. 

I’m a dreamer. I’m always looking for ways to leave an impact on the world, for me that starts with a dream and a goal. One of my dreams is to provide kids with tools to help them emotionally regulate. I will forever look back at my time in the classroom as pathway to my dream.

Sometimes experiences rear their ugly head and set off a series of emotions, feelings, thoughts that you didn’t know were buried deep inside of you until a trigger set it all off.

Let’s dive into Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) and how they are helpful in combating Adverse Childhood Experiences. lead researcher Dr. Christina Bethell studied how positive childhood experiences help to build resilience in kids who have experienced trauma, and those who may in the future. The study showed that the more PCEs a child had, the more likely they were to have good mental health as an adult, even kids who had experienced ACEs. 

Let’s talk about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). I first started studying ACEs when I began work on my advanced research project for my master’s degree program. I wanted to develop a program that would combat the effects of childhood trauma that I was seeing everyday in the classroom, by building resiliency. But I wanted to focus on a school wide approach because many of the older siblings of students in my class would spend their mornings or afternoons in the room playing with play-doh, creating a craft, or playing with other toys we had available. As I observed them I noticed one thing: they just wanted to be kids. 

In my last blog I talked about the importance for adults to focus on their own self-care. I shared about how part of self-care as an adult is learning to name your feelings. To get started on knowing how to identify your feelings, you must first prioritize yourself by creating that self-care plan.

In the hustle and bustle of adult life, it's easy to overlook our own well-being. Juggling work, family, and personal responsibilities can leave us feeling drained and disconnected from our emotions. When talking about emotions and mental health, I don't want to overlook us, as adults, let's explore the importance of self-care for adults and delve into the practice of naming feelings as a crucial aspect of nurturing your mental and emotional health.

Teaching children to identify and express their emotions is a crucial aspect of their emotional development. By creating a supportive environment that encourages self-awareness, educators and care-givers can play a pivotal role in helping students navigate their feelings. I've been an educator for over 10 years and the color coding method of identifying emotions is nothing new. I'd say it's relatively effective and is an easy way for children, especially early learners to learn how to define and express their feeling.

My why is the three year old in my classroom who embraces me everyday and looks up at me with big brown eyes. He lives with his single mom who has her own story, a story that I decide to meet with love instead of judgment. 

By instilling the skill of articulating emotions, caregivers and educators play a pivotal role in nurturing emotionally resilient and socially adept individuals. As we empower children to label their feelings, we equip them with a lifelong tool for understanding, expressing, and navigating the beautiful tapestry of their emotions.

In the intricate tapestry of childhood, emotions are the vibrant threads that weave together experiences, relationships, and personal growth. Understanding and expressing emotions are essential skills that lay the foundation for healthy emotional regulation.