Welcome to Episode 32: Executive Function Strategies for Kids. Join us for a overview of executive skills and how we can support these skills in children and teens. It's important to note that the development of a brain’s executive skills depends upon your age, your genetics and your experiences - and these are skills we can teach and learn.

Think about it:

Kids aren't just lazy or lack common sense; we now have the tools to be able to support them in developing the 11 executive skills which include:

Cognitive skills - Working Memory, Planning Prioritization, Organization, Time Management, Metacognition

Behavioral Skills - Response Inhibition, Emotional Control, Flexibility, Sustained Attention, Task Initiation, Goal-Directed Persistence

I'm so excited to introduce Kristy Pauly to you for our 4th Courage in Action Interview. Kristy is such an incredible example of courage and going after your dreams and I'm just so thrilled to share her wisdom with you all! She leads around 120 women all over the US as a Director for Stella and Dot. Through her work, she inspires women to pursue their passion! As I mentioned on the podcast, you can connect with her at www.stelladot.com/kristypauly or on Instagram at @kpauly1 

Hope you all have a great (and courageous) week! XOXO

We’re discussing life goal lists this week! I believe that by pushing the envelope on life, taking risks, articulating your deepest desires, and really living with joy and passion, you will not only become happier, but you will die without regrets.

Here’s to living with intention and pursuing your life goals with courage. I hope you'll share you list of 100 things to do before you die with me (a bit of homework for this week!).

Join us as we chat about how to use coaching with your own kids to help them with emotional regulation. Because we have a lot of transitions coming up with the new school year and its new schedules, new teachers, new routines.

As I see it, emotional regulation is the ability to understand feelings and manage them. This is important for lifelong health and wellness.

So how do we do this?  Well, it's a lifetime of work, But we are all doing learning. As a family. Together. 

We are all working on ourselves and learning how to communicate our feelings, our needs and who we are. 

Emotional Regulations includes:

1.  Noticing your child's emotions and helping them understand their own brain states

2. Helping them learn to label their emotions and feel their emotions (but not act on them)

3. Teaching them about connection and conflict resolution through connection

The most important piece to this work is connection. Your homework this week (and month) is to spend 5-10 minutes with each child. One on one time.  Connection will help you weather any storm and is the game changer for families. Please trust me.

I’m so thrilled to speak to you about something that has dramatically altered the course of my disease. Food. Yes, it’s that simple - but it’s really difficult too.

We know that food, sleep, exercise, stress levels (all the things, really) contribute to to health issues like auto-immune problems, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, mental health issues, and cancer. 

At the heart of this conversation, I believe diet and lifestyle plays a critical role in our health.

So I hope you'll join me as I discuss what I've done to change my life and disease. I'd also love to hear your thoughts about what you've done to embrace healthy eating. You can email me at [email protected].

Here's to taking care of your health!!

Can you have courage but not grit? Or grit but not courage? What’s the difference?

Join me on today's podcast for a chat about resilience, grit, mindset, and courage. I also share a bit about my unexpected break from podcasting due to some health struggles - which makes this conversation about grit all the more meaningful to me! For more information on today's topic, please visit my blog. 

Want to go deeper or perhaps look at your own grittiness? Please contact me to schedule a coaching session today!

XO,

Jess

www.livesofcourage.com

Join us as we discuss how educational therapy and coaching can help all kids thrive through educational, social, and behavioral support. 

Do you have a child seems unmotivated? Or doesn't recognize their own strengths and talents? Does your child have trouble making healthy decisions? Is your child unsure of what they should do or even how to set long-term goals?

Educational therapy interventions include executive functioning coaching, wrap-around organizational support, emotional resiliency programming, and case management services which include personal development, family relationship building, and communication with school faculty and staff and other related professionals. In the process, therapists identify and asses student’s learning needs and tailor a complete plan to address and support healthy development. 

This work helps build a child’s theory of mind, develop and utilize strengths-based approach to harness an individual's strengths to overcome challenges, enhance their understanding of how their brain impacts their behavior and development, and strengthen any processing gaps. Educational Therapy is often used to support students with learning differences but can be utilized to address most behavioral issues that result from challenging academic, social, or intellectual contributions. 

If you want more information, or about how to get started with our Courageous Kids Program, please head to our website at https://livesofcourage.lpages.co/educational-therapy-info/. Please feel to also also email us at [email protected] with any questions! 

Thanks for listening!

Join us for our 3rd Courage in Action Interview with the incredible and talented Ginny Ellis. Ginny has so much to teach all of us - can't wait for you to hear her! Enjoy!

And don't forget to let us know if you have any questions at [email protected]. Hugs! Have a great week!

When you’re a parent of a child with a learning differences or learning disabilities there is a big learning curve. It can be overwhelming and scary at times. You don’t know what it means for your child. Will they always struggle? 

On today's podcast, we are discussing Learning Differences. This podcast is for parents whose children have already been diagnosed. If you’re struggling and think your child might have a learning difference, you might want to listen to next week's podcast first! 

For more information, head on over to my website at www.livesofcourage.com to download your free worksheet: Tips for Parents of Children with Learning  Differences as well as a link to Resources for Learning Differences. As always, don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything or have any questions at [email protected]. Hugs!!