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The Power of Connection: Keeping Kids Connected and Boosting Emotional Well-being This Summer

As summer is in full swing, children have the opportunity to embrace the freedom and joy of the season. While adventures and playtime are essential, it’s equally important to prioritize connections with friends and the community. By nurturing these bonds, we not only foster emotional intelligence in children but also enhance their overall well-being.

Ways to help kids stay connected this summer:

Engage in Group Activities:

Encourage children to participate in group activities that align with their interests and passions. Summer camps, sports teams, art classes, or community programs provide fantastic opportunities for kids to connect with peers who share similar hobbies. Engaging in collaborative activities fosters teamwork, communication skills, and a sense of belonging, boosting emotional intelligence and overall well-being.

Plan Playdates and Social Outings:

Organize playdates or outings with friends in a safe and enjoyable environment. Whether it’s a trip to the park, a picnic, or a day at the beach, these social gatherings allow kids to strengthen existing friendships and cultivate new ones. Positive social interactions create a support network that nurtures empathy, self-expression, and emotional resilience.

Volunteer Together:

Encourage kids to contribute to their community through volunteering activities. Engaging in acts of kindness not only benefits others but also enhances a child’s sense of purpose and connectedness. Collaborate on volunteer projects, such as cleaning up local parks, helping at a food bank, or participating in community events. Through these experiences, children develop empathy, compassion, and an understanding of their role in making the world a better place.

Foster Digital Connections:

In today’s digital age, technology can be harnessed positively to facilitate social connections. Encourage kids to maintain communication with friends through video calls, messaging apps, or online gaming platforms. While moderation is key, these digital interactions can provide a sense of continuity and support, especially when distance or other constraints make in-person meetups challenging.

Cultivate Family Bonding:

Don’t underestimate the power of family connections. Engage in activities that strengthen the family unit and create lasting memories. Family game nights, movie marathons, or cooking together can foster a sense of belonging and emotional security. Encouraging open communication, active listening, and quality time strengthens emotional bonds and equips children with essential skills for building connections outside the family.

Nurture Emotional Intelligence:

Emotional intelligence plays a vital role in healthy relationships and overall well-being. Encourage children to recognize and express their emotions effectively. Teach them active listening skills, empathy, and conflict resolution techniques. By equipping kids with emotional intelligence, they develop the tools to build meaningful connections and navigate social situations with confidence and compassion.

Helping kids stay connected this summer is essential for their emotional intelligence and well-being. By engaging in group activities, planning social outings, volunteering, fostering digital connections, nurturing family bonds, and cultivating emotional intelligence, children develop the skills necessary for building meaningful relationships. Let’s create a summer filled with laughter, support, and shared experiences that will leave a lasting impact on our children’s lives.

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Embracing Change: Navigating Transitions and New Experiences During Summer Break

Summer break is a time of excitement, freedom, and adventure for children. It’s a season filled with new experiences, whether it’s transitioning to a different grade, exploring new activities, or embarking on family vacations. However, with change comes a mix of emotions, and it’s important to equip children with the tools to navigate these transitions and make the most of their summer break.

Help kids navigate transitions and embrace new experiences during summer break:

Understanding the Nature of Change: Change is an inevitable part of life, and summer break brings about its fair share of transitions. Whether it’s moving to a new neighborhood, starting a new summer camp, or simply adjusting to a different routine, change can sometimes be overwhelming. Encourage children to recognize that change is an opportunity for growth and learning. Emphasize that every new experience opens doors to exciting possibilities.

Acknowledging and Managing Emotions:

Change often stirs up a range of emotions, including excitement, anticipation, nervousness, or even fear. It’s essential to teach children that it’s okay to feel these emotions and that they are a natural part of the process. Encourage them to express their feelings through open communication with trusted adults, journaling, or engaging in creative outlets like drawing or writing. This helps them process their emotions and develop self-awareness.

Cultivating a Growth Mindset:

A growth mindset is the belief that one’s abilities can be developed through effort and perseverance. Encourage children to approach new experiences with a growth mindset, viewing challenges as opportunities for learning and personal growth. Help them reframe setbacks as stepping stones to success, emphasizing the importance of resilience and determination.

Creating a Supportive Environment:

During times of change, children benefit greatly from a supportive network. Encourage them to reach out to friends, family members, or mentors who can provide guidance and reassurance. Remind them that they are not alone in navigating transitions and that they have people they can rely on for support.

Setting Realistic Expectations:

Help children manage their expectations by setting realistic goals and discussing potential challenges they may face during summer break. Teach them to embrace a positive attitude while being prepared for possible setbacks. Encourage them to celebrate small victories and appreciate the progress they make along the way.

Finding Joy in New Experiences:

Summer break offers a multitude of opportunities for new experiences, whether it’s trying a new hobby, exploring a new place, or making new friends. Encourage children to step out of their comfort zones, embrace these experiences with an open mind, and savor each moment. Help them focus on the present and find joy in the excitement of discovering something new.

Navigating transitions and embracing change during summer break can be a transformative experience for children. With a positive mindset, a supportive network, and a willingness to learn and grow, children can make the most of their summer break and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

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A Guide to Nurturing Wellbeing Throughout the Summer

As summer arrives, children eagerly embrace the freedom and joy that comes with the break from school. While this is a time for play and exploration, it’s also essential to prioritize their emotional wellbeing. With the right support and guidance, parents can create a nurturing environment that fosters emotional growth and resilience in their children. These are practical strategies to promote emotional wellbeing for kids throughout the summer, ensuring they have a fulfilling and enriching experience.

Encourage self-expression


Summer offers an ideal opportunity for children to engage in creative activities and express themselves freely. Encourage your child to explore their interests through art, music, writing, or any other form of self-expression. Provide them with the necessary materials and space to unleash their imagination. These activities not only promote emotional expression but also foster a sense of accomplishment and boost self-esteem.

Foster healthy relationships


Social connections are vital for children’s emotional development. Encourage your child to engage in social activities, whether it’s inviting friends over for playdates, joining summer camps, or participating in community events. These interactions allow children to develop valuable social skills, empathy, and a sense of belonging. Monitor their social experiences and provide guidance when conflicts or challenges arise, teaching them how to navigate emotions and resolve issues effectively.

Cultivate a positive mindset

Help your child cultivate a positive mindset by focusing on gratitude and optimism. Encourage them to reflect on the things they are grateful for each day. This simple practice promotes a sense of contentment and resilience. Teach them to reframe negative experiences into learning opportunities and to approach challenges with a growth mindset. By nurturing positivity, children develop emotional resilience and a healthier outlook on life.

Engage in outdoor activities

Nature has a profound impact on emotional wellbeing. Encourage your child to spend time outdoors, engaging in activities such as hiking, biking, or simply playing in the park. Exposure to natural environments promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and enhances mood. Encourage them to connect with nature by observing the beauty around them, listening to the sounds of birds, or engaging in sensory activities like gardening. These experiences can help children develop a deeper sense of emotional connection to the world around them.

Practice relaxation techniques

Introduce your child to mindfulness and relaxation techniques to help them manage stress and develop self-awareness. Encourage them to set aside a few moments each day for quiet reflection and self-care. These practices promote emotional regulation and provide valuable tools for navigating challenging situations.

Maintain a balanced routine

While summer is a time for fun and relaxation, maintaining a balanced routine is essential for emotional wellbeing. Help your child establish a daily routine that includes a balance of activities such as physical exercise, learning, creative pursuits, and free play. Structure and predictability provide a sense of stability, which can help children feel secure and emotionally grounded.

Promoting emotional wellbeing for children throughout the summer is a valuable investment in their long-term happiness and resilience. By providing opportunities for self-expression, fostering healthy relationships, cultivating a positive mindset, engaging in outdoor activities, practicing relaxation, and maintaining a balanced routine, parents can create a nurturing environment that supports their child’s emotional growth and wellbeing. Remember, the summer months are not only a time for adventure but also an opportunity for children to develop essential emotional skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Hope Rising brings hope to classrooms and students through the world’s first hope-certified emotional intelligence curriculum, My Best Me.

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5 Tips For Helping Children Develop Emotional Intelligence

As parents, caregivers, and educators, one of our most important responsibilities is to help children develop emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and manage one’s own emotions and the emotions of others, and it is a critical skill that helps children navigate the ups and downs of life.

Five tips for helping children develop emotional intelligence

  1. Model Emotional Intelligence: Children learn a great deal from the adults around them. As parents or caregivers, it is important to model emotional intelligence by showing children how to identify and manage their emotions. Talk about your own emotions with your child, and encourage them to do the same. When you are feeling angry, sad, or frustrated, explain why you are feeling that way and how you are managing those emotions. By doing so, you are showing your child that it is okay to have emotions and that it is possible to manage them in healthy ways.
  2. Help Children Identify Their Emotions: Children often have a difficult time identifying their emotions. They may know that they feel upset, but they may not be able to articulate why. To help children develop emotional intelligence, it is important to help them identify their emotions. Use emotion words (such as “happy,” “sad,” “angry,” “frustrated,” etc.) when talking to your child about their feelings. You can also use books or TV shows to help your child learn about different emotions.
  3. Teach Children Coping Strategies: Coping strategies are the tools that we use to manage our emotions. As adults, we have developed coping strategies over time, but children may not have the same tools. Teach your child coping strategies, such as taking deep breaths, counting to ten, or taking a break when they feel overwhelmed. Encourage your child to practice these coping strategies when they are feeling strong emotions.
  4. Encourage Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Encourage your child to practice empathy by talking about other people’s emotions. For example, if you see someone who looks sad, you can say to your child, “That person looks sad. How do you think they are feeling?” By practicing empathy, your child will develop a better understanding of other people’s emotions and will be more likely to show compassion.
  5. Practice Problem-Solving: Problem-solving is an important skill for emotional intelligence. When your child encounters a problem, encourage them to brainstorm solutions. You can help your child by asking open-ended questions, such as “What do you think you could do?” or “How do you think you could solve this problem?” By practicing problem-solving, your child will develop the skills they need to manage their emotions in difficult situations.

Emotional intelligence is a critical skill that helps children navigate the ups and downs of life. As parents, caregivers, and educators, we can help children develop emotional intelligence by modeling emotional intelligence, helping them identify their emotions, teaching coping strategies, encouraging empathy, and practicing problem-solving. By doing so, we are helping children develop the skills they need to manage their emotions in healthy and productive ways. My Best Me give you the tools to be able to teach these skills in an easy, fun and effective way.

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How to Talk to Children About School Shootings

At the epicenter of school shootings, lives have been forever changed and trauma has become part of those communities. The effects of these shootings can also be felt far beyond the epicenter. They have brought on a lot of stress and anxiety for American parents. It is no surprise that the stress and anxiety that adults feel are also felt by children. 

It is important to realize that children are very much aware of current events AND most schools are having “active shooter drills”. This topic is highly visible to children and we need to help them manage their feelings around this topic. 

How can you talk to children about school shootings?

  1. Start the conversation: The hardest part is starting the conversation. You may feel the desire to avoid this topic but in reality, discussing school shootings can help children feel less anxious. Ask your child what they already know about school shootings then allow them to guide the conversation and ask questions.
  1. Normalize the feelings: It is important to normalize the feelings they are having. It is completely normal for them to feel anxious, sad, and/or scared. Allow them to explore those feelings in a safe place. 
  1. Talk about safety: Let your child know that school shootings are actually very rare. Reiterate that schools have taken appropriate measures to help children stay safe. Without getting graphic, ask them what plans are in place to keep them safe at school. They may answer fire drills, active shooter drills, tornado drills, etc. 
  1. Connect with the community for support: Anxiety and fear can make children more reclusive and less sociable. Remind your children of the people within your community that helps keep them safe. Teachers, coaches, cross guard, police, camp counselors, etc. These are the people within the community that are there to keep them safe.  

Restoring Hope

“Hope is the belief that tomorrow will be better than today and that you have the power to make it so.”

During times of high stress, anxiety, and/or adversity students may lack hope. Lack of hope can affect willpower which in turn can make it hard for children to self-regulate. The outcome can be explosive outbursts and impulsive actions. 

Dr. Chan Hellman, Ph.D. has studied hope extensively and believes it is the key to social-emotional well-being. Hope is a way of thinking and CAN be taught.  

What he has found to be the three key components to hope. 

  1. Set goals
  2. Identify Pathways: the ability to identify pathways toward goals (problem solve) and Find ways around obstacles.
  3. Cultivate willpower: the ability to sustain motivation to continue on the pathway in order to achieve that set goal.

In increasing numbers, educators in classrooms nationwide are seeing more and more children exposed to adversity, stress, and trauma. The impact of this trauma on the learning environment is felt throughout the hallways of schools as students struggle with academic performance, disruptive behaviors, and emotional insecurity.

Hope is the answer for the students, classroom, district, and communities. 

(READ MORE on the science of Hope)

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