The somatic effects of stress and trauma have been long misunderstood, or identified as symptoms of a terror experience that left no apparent physical injury or scar. However, advances in science now confirm the invisible wounds of trauma are... Continue reading.
Many students and educators are back to school in various formats. In-school, virtual, and hybrid variations of teaching and learning for many have made scheduling and establishing a routine a challenge. During the pandemic, while some days are... Continue reading.
As much as possible, keep children away from media coverage following traumatic events such as the Nashville, TN bombing and the Washington DC Capitol Hill riot. For younger children, this is easy. Keep the news turned off and avoid talking about... Continue reading.
The American Psychological Association’s 2020 Stress in America survey revealed that Americans are experiencing a significant and negative impact as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Americans of all ages are struggling to cope with the... Continue reading.
MARSHALL, MI – The Marshall Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council through the Marshall Youth Fund has awarded Starr Commonwealth, in partnership with Marshall Public Schools, a $10,000 grant to provide services for staff and students in... Continue reading.
This is the final week of instruction for many before schools close for holiday breaks. Time to step away from both in person and virtual teaching and learning may present a welcomed change–especially for those experiencing what has become... Continue reading.
One of the hallmarks of trauma work is to help facilitate movement from victim-thinking to survivor-thinking. This is why we spend just as much time processing trauma themes as we do promoting experiences where children can feel safe, empowered... Continue reading.
Educators have reported some surprises in virtual education. Some students who were disengaged during in-person school are actively engaging virtually. Not all students who were actively engaged in-person are engaged virtually. Let’s remember... Continue reading.
Gratitude is thankful appreciation and acknowledgement of the goodness a person receives or experiences in their life. In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater well-being. Gratitude helps... Continue reading.
The use of body maps to help with body scans is a great way to teach and practice emotional awareness. It is very difficult to manage emotions and behavior if you don’t know how to notice and pay attention to the sensations your body provides... Continue reading.
The need and desire to connect with others remains essential. The prolonged need to physically distance, teach, learn and work remotely coupled with the inability to visit friends and family due to travel restrictions and other necessary... Continue reading.
Finding meaning, purpose, and value in a time of significant change and loss is a step in both the grieving and healing process. We might be grieving the loss of a family member or friend, the loss of school and work routine, and everything... Continue reading.
When you don’t know what to say…just BREATHE. Part of resilience is having a voice, choice and the ability to help ourselves feel better when overwhelming feelings come our way. The Circle of Courage refers to this universal need as... Continue reading.
If we can face hard things or times with a sense that there’s something we can do about them, life becomes easier to live. In a time where we are all feeling quite overwhelmed this can be tough. But, hope can truly be the catalyst to get us to... Continue reading.
What we can all use now is a little bit of hope! The new “now” is hard, it is confusing and it is unpredictable. For the past couple of weeks we have talked about the Circle of Courage and a quest to provide resilience building and nurturing... Continue reading.
