Calm and Connected Podcast

Discover how to create mindful moments in your busy day as Janine shares sensory strategies for relaxation. Engage your sight by noticing the little things around you, savor each taste with mindful sips, and curate playlists to match your mood. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced by highly sensitive individuals, highlighting ways to mitigate sensory overwhelm. Remember, prioritizing self-care is key, so take a few moments for yourself and enjoy the little pleasures in life!

Discover how play is not just for kids. It serves as an incredible stress reliever for adults too! Learn about the importance of taking playful breaks and the transformative power of a playful attitude. Janine shares tips for integrating fun activities into your daily routine. Explore how reconnecting with what brings you joy can enhance your overall well-being, and remember to give yourself a little time for that much-needed fun!

Discover how to personalize your relaxation techniques by tapping into what truly makes you happy. The discussion covers diverse strategies like tracing shapes, body scans, and mindfulness exercises. You'll learn how to select different approaches depending on your day-to-day needs. Plus, embrace the importance of taking time for self-care, especially for those supporting others. With insightful anecdotes and practical advice, find your unique path to stress relief and enhance your well-being.

Feeling overwhelmed? Discover the power of deep breathing to shift from fight or flight mode to relaxation. Learn practical exercises that bring focus, whether in a crowd or solo. Explore techniques like the 4-7-8 method and harness your breath for better self-care. Janine shares insights on taking a moment for yourself and the benefits of grounding strategies. It's all about mastering your energy and finding calm amid chaos!

What does happy feel like? What about being nervous? Sad or excited? Learning to identify feelings is so important for kids - when kids can label their feelings, it’s easier for them to self-regulate. One of the best ways to learn is through play, and you can work on feelings identification in fun and playful ways. In this episode Janine discusses:The importance of labeling our feelingsHow learning about feeling can be fun How to play games with your child to figure out what they are feelingThree games she likes to play:Feeling memory - a game with emoji’sHow would you feel?Feelings jengaHow to tap into playfulness on the Coping Skills Hub  And remember, do not forget about yourself, take a few minutes for you and have a little fun!—About The Host - Janine HalloranJanine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletterIf you're interested in joining the Coping Skills Community Hub, an ever-expanding resource library and community of families and professionals teaching kids how to cope, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hubIf you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkidsConnect with Janine on Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/janinehalloranlmhcInstagram @janine_halloran and @copingskillsforkidsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JanineHalloranLMHCPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/encourageplay/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-halloran-43787b7b/

How do we teach our children social and emotional awareness in a fun and play filled way? Eventually our children will become adults so when they walk out into the world, we want them to step into their lives as aware and in control of their emotions as possible. In this episode we discuss:The resources Yara has put together to support social and emotional learningThe importance of playing and therefore learning how to self regulate Crafts which help engage children in social awarenessHow kids cope with anger and the tools to help them while learning this emotionDifferent discipline options during transitional points How to manage your own emotions as a parent Communication points in your child's day so you can check inHow Yara relaxesAbout The Guest - Yara HabanbouYara Habanbou has experience in the field of education, and is deeply passionate about nurturing social-emotional skills in children, helping them grow not only as students but as kind, compassionate, and resilient individuals. She is the creator of seaofknowledge.org, where she shares tons of printables, ideas and activities to nurture kids' social skills as well as their academic skills.Website www.seaofknowledge.orgFacebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolineMInstagram @seaofknowledgeyara—Resources mentioned in the podcast episode:Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul by Stuart Brown and Christopher VaughanThe Power of Play - learning what comes naturally by David ElkindFree to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for LifePlay=Learning: How Play Motivates and Enhances Children’s Cognitive and Social-Emotional Growth Edited by Dorothy G. Singer, Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, and Kathy Hirsh-PasekCalm and Connected Ep 154: Ways to Connect with Kids and Teenshttps://www.janinehalloran.com/podcast/calm-and-connected-episode-154About The Host - Janine HalloranJanine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletterThe Coping Skills Hub has everything you need to teach kids coping skills, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hubIf you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkidsConnect with Janine on Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/janinehalloranlmhcInstagram @janine_halloran and @copingskillsforkidsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JanineHalloranLMHCPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/encourageplay/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-halloran-43787b7b/

Building a strong connection with our children is really important and taking the time to invest in our relationships with them at each stage of childhood and into the teenage years. Today Janine considers the opportunities we create for them to share what they like and what you enjoy also in day to day life. How can we connect with our kids well so that when they face challenges or difficulties they feel like they can come speak with you, the parent? In this episode we discuss strategies for connecting well including:Word Games you can play together like ‘Would You Rather?’Playing board games together Playing video games together Cooking and baking togetherArts and craftsAn activity jar Geocaching Connecting through reading the same books your child reads/shows they watchAsking for youtube creator recommendations Sharing music togetherAnd remember, do not forget about yourself, take a few minutes for you and have a little fun!—About The Host - Janine HalloranJanine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletterThe Coping Skills Hub has everything you need to teach kids coping skills, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hubIf you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkidsConnect with Janine on Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/janinehalloranlmhcInstagram @janine_halloran and @copingskillsforkidsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JanineHalloranLMHCPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/encourageplay/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-halloran-43787b7b/

Have you noticed social skills missing in your kids? Caroline Maguire, author of Why Will No One Play With Me?, joins me to discuss how to support your child and build them up through play.Here’s some of the areas we cover:The importance of playHow to play with your kids in a role play situationThe power of storytelling to explain social situations Debriefing with your kids and working on your bond togetherFinding the organic moments to talk to your kidsSupporting them through childhood playdates to teenage hangoutsFiguring out their baseline and strengths Using their interests to encourage and build them upThis is a clip from a live webinar.If you’d like to hear the whole interview,please join the Hub!About The Guest - Caroline maguireCaroline Maguire, is the founder of a revolutionary social emotional learning methodology that helps teach social skills to children, teenagers, and young adults. She holds a holds a Masters in Education degree with a concentration in SEL training and is the founder and director of The Fundamentals of ADHD Coaching for Families training curriculum at ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA). She is a former coach for the Hallowell Center in Sudbury, Massachusetts. She is the author of Why Will No One Play With Me?, the winner of the Best Parenting and Family Book 2020 as awarded by American Book Fest and co-collaborator on newly released HowToSel.com – a daily social emotional learning platform anyone can incorporate into daily life.Why Will No One Play With Me? The Play Better Plan To Help Children of All Ages Makes Friends and Thrive by Caroline Maguire, PCC, M.Ed.www.carolinemaguireauthor.comFacebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolineMInstagram https://www.instagram.com/authorcarolinecm/Twitter https://twitter.com/AuthorCarolineMPinterest https://www.instagram.com/authorcarolinecm/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/authorcarolinecm/About The Host - Janine HalloranJanine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletterThe Coping Skills Hub has everything you need to teach kids coping skills, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hubIf you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkidsConnect with Janine on Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/janinehalloranlmhcInstagram @janine_halloran and @copingskillsforkidsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JanineHalloranLMHCPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/encourageplay/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-halloran-43787b7b/

Has your child hit their teenage years and puberty has started? Have you noticed their emotions are changing? What about their most extreme emotions? Do you find that your teenager can feel really angry at times?In today’s episode, Janine unpacks some strategies to help you as parents support your teenager and how to develop that connection between yourself as the parent and them. Here’s what Janine discusses in today’s episode:Connection being key and your teen feeling heard How to notice emotions in their bodyBreathing exercisesMaking paper airplanesSqueezing dough or slimeCool compress on your neckDrinking cold water to regulate body temperatureTalking through what you can and can’t controlChanneling energy into positive actionMaking a plan for your childResources Mentioned in the PodcastCoping Skills Community Hubhttps://copingskillsforkids.com/hubAnd remember, do not forget about yourself, take a few minutes for you and have a little fun!—About The Host - Janine HalloranJanine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletterThe Coping Skills Hub has everything you need to teach kids coping skills, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hubIf you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkidsConnect with Janine on Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/janinehalloranlmhcInstagram @janine_halloran and @copingskillsforkidsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JanineHalloranLMHCPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/encourageplay/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-halloran-43787b7b/

OCD can manifest itself in different ways with different obsessions and focus that are going on in your life. Children’s author, Marin Canaday describes OCD feeling like a monster devouring your emotions and feelings, where you could get to the point where you feel out of control and you begin to believe the lies the OCD obsessions tell you about yourself. Marin joins me today in this episode and we discuss some of the following areas: Marin discusses how the idea for her book, My Little Monster came aboutDoubting yourself and OCDContamination and germs and OCDReligion and OCDHarm and OCD Hiding symptoms and coping strategiesGetting diagnosedHow Marin likes to rest and relaxAbout The Guest - Marin CanadayMarin grew up with OCD from an early age, although she was not sure what it was that she struggled with until her 30's. A lot of her struggle was internal. As a child, she found that studying and sports helped take my mind off of the OCD thought patterns. When she studied or played a sport, she felt like she had a brain break, so she threw herself into both with vigor. Her study habits paid off, and Marin graduated in the top of her classes in both high school and college. She also went on to play collegiate volleyball, earning All American honors in her senior year. Her struggle with OCD really became more evident externally when she reached adulthood. Without studying or sports to hide in any longer, she came face to face with her anxiety disorder. She couldn't eat, sleep, or function in day-to-day tasks. Marin’s struggles with her thoughts were all that she could fight all day and night. It was grueling.Today, with therapy and medication to help, she is much healthier and confident. Marin writes in her free time to inspire others who may be struggling with anxiety as well. She is the the author of two books, My Little Monster and The Very Best Me. Her OCD still whispers to her and at times begins to shout. She finds relief in gardening, crafting, reading, and writing.Website - www.mylittleocdmonster.comFacebook - My Little OCD Monster https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090423289366Resources mentioned:Marin has two books, My Little Monster and The Very Best Me.Dr. Dawn Huebner - https://www.dawnhuebnerphd.com/Natasha Daniels - https://www.anxioustoddlers.com/When a Family Member has OCD by John Hershfield, MFT. About The Host - Janine HalloranJanine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletterThe Coping Skills Hub has everything you need to teach kids coping skills, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hubIf you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkidsConnect with Janine on Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/janinehalloranlmhcInstagram @janine_halloran and @copingskillsforkidsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JanineHalloranLMHCPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/encourageplay/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-halloran-43787b7b/