Category: Communication

Ultimate Resource for Parenting Teens

Published on by awsstudiosartLeave a comment

A Handy, Research-Based Guide to Help You Connect with Your Teen

Raising a teenager isn’t easy. Between shifting moods, growing independence, and the rollercoaster of high school life, parenting during the teen years can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, there’s a straightforward, science-backed resource for parenting teens that can help: The Five Basics of Parenting Adolescents Pamphlet.

A picture of the cover of the aws Studios.art resource, The Five Basics of Parenting Adolescents Pamphlet

A Simple, Practical Resource for Parenting Teens

This two-sided, easy-to-read parenting teens guide is based on the respected research compilation, “Raising Teens: A Synthesis of Research and a Foundation for Action.” It breaks down the research into five clear, essential practices for building a strong, supportive relationship with your teen. Think of it as your parenting cheat sheet—one you can keep handy and revisit whenever things feel off-track.

Why This Matters

An abstract graphic of a teenaged girl with red hair and earrings. She depicts a teenager who's parent would like a resource for parenting teens.

We all want to do right by our kids, but so much parenting advice is either too vague or buried in academic jargon. That’s what makes this pamphlet so helpful: it pulls the key takeaways from a large body of adolescent development research and puts them into a format you can actually use. You’ll find strategies that are simple to understand, easy to try, and powerful in practice.

Whether you’re dealing with daily homework battles, communication struggles, or just looking for ways to stay connected as your teen grows more independent, this guide can help.

How to Use This Easy Resource for Parenting Teens

  • Keep it visible. Put a copy on the fridge or in your planner so you can glance at it when you need a reminder.
  • Revisit it often. Parenting teens is not a “one and done” job. You may find new insights each time you read it.
  • Share it. Got a friend who’s also raising teens? Pass it along. Parenting is easier when we support each other.
  • Bring it to conversations. Whether you’re meeting with a teacher, counselor, or fellow parent, the pamphlet can be a great starting point for discussions about what teens need.

Get Your Ultimate Resource for Parenting Teens

Download the Five Basics of Parenting Adolescents Pamphlet for free here. It’s printable and made to fold up neatly—perfect for slipping into your bag or glove compartment.

Let’s be real: parenting teens can be tough. But with the right tools, it’s also incredibly rewarding. This resource for parenting teens makes it just a little easier.

A picture of the cover of the aws Studios.art resource, The Five Basics of Parenting Adolescents Pamphlet, the Ultimate Resource for Parenting Teens

Final Episode™: Resolving Conflicts Through Communication, an Engaging Learning Experience for High School Students

Published on by awsstudiosartLeave a comment

Bored, Uninterested Teenagers Become Engaged, Empowered, Knowledgeable, and Skilled

The first thing that sparked my bored, mistrusting high school class during “Final Episode™: Resolving Conflicts Through Communication” was showing them a segment from a popular family drama TV series. Heads popped up and eyes engaged with the screen as if to say, “Cool. Are we going to study this?” Well…yes, in a way…

This image shows the cover of the "Final Episode" resource for high school students.

Resolving Conflicts Through Communication Lesson Without Lecture

This image shows an example of what's included in the Final Episode resource. It is a picture of the "Organizing the Final Episode Worksheet."

In the activity, each student assumes the role of a family drama TV series scriptwriter. To prepare for their scriptwriting, instead of a lecture about resolving conflicts through communication, the students tackle a document-based-questionnaire (DBQ).  In small groups, they safely explore conflict and conflict resolution – what it is, why we get into it, and what we can do about it.

When it got to the scriptwriting, with heads down, students diligently worked away on their conflict resolving scenarios and scripts for their “network’s” series finale.

But That Wasn’t the Best Part…

The best was when they read their scripts to their classmates while being videotaped. Complaining and withdrawing at first, once complete, students reveled in seeing their onscreen performances.

And even better for me were their reflections on their Final Episode™ experience. They told me they liked the activity and learned ways to realistically implement what they learned in their relationships. Score!

This image shows another handout included in the Final Episode resource. It is a picture of the "Final Episode Reflection Worksheet."

A DBQ For Mental Health Skill Building?

This image shows the cover of the "Final Episode" resource that helps students learn how to resolve conflicts through communication.

Final Episode™ uses “documents” including artwork, cartoons, letters, book quotes, magazine articles, and posters. Students found that it was a terrific way to, not only learn about conflict and ways to resolve it, but the items illustrated how there’s a myriad of “documents” out there to learn from.

If I Told My Students They Were Going to Perform, They’d Walk Away

The Final Episode™ activity gradually walks students first through the process of developing a scenario and a script. Performance is the last piece of the experience and can be approached at that time. But, like I found, students might initially resist but eventually come around.

I Don’t Have Time To Do All This

The Final Episode™ resource is perfect for chunking. The work can be spread out over a number of days or weeks. And you won’t have to worry. Students will look forward to getting back to their Final Episode™!

Don’t Take my word for it. See for yourself how this resource won top honors from the NYS education department!

An Easy-to-Use Communication Resource for Parents of High School Students

Published on by awsstudiosartLeave a comment
A picture of the cover of the aws Studios.art resource, The Five Basics of Parenting Adolescents Pamphlet

An Accessible Parent Communication Resource

The “Five Basics of Parenting Adolescents Pamphlet” is a handout created from the findings of “Raising Teens: A Synthesis of Research and a Foundation for Action.”  The resource is a two-sided pdf that “boils down” the research into a foldable, user-friendly, easy-to-read, and sharable pamphlet.

Make Parent Communication Easy

Importantly, one reason adults are often wary of science and research is due to the complexity of the published results. Hard to read and difficult to understand, research-based texts go over our heads and dissipate into the great beyond.  Unfortunately, this results in ignoring the good stuff or “meat” that’s there – somewhere in the muckety-muck of scientific jargon.

The “Five Basics of Parenting Adolescents Pamphlet” to the rescue!

Clearly, when it comes to information about the best ways to parent or care for teenagers, the “Five Basics … Pamphlet” delivers a concise, easy-to-read resource that can be effortlessly and discreetly accessed again and again (because, I don’t know about you, but I sure need to read these things multiple times until it sinks in)!

Teachers and Parents and Teens, Oh My!

As a teacher, it’s not always easy to connect with caregivers and parents raising teens. Establishing parent communication with them sometimes requires taking it up a notch:

  • Treat the “Five Basics of Parenting Adolescents Pamphlet” as a gift from you to them at the beginning of the school year. Make copies of the resource, fold them into the pamphlet and put it in a business-size envelope addressed to the parent (and maybe even tie it all up with a ribbon. Heaven knows anyone parenting a teenager deserves a pretty little gift just for them)!
  • Use your on-hand resources and take more of those pamphlets you folded up and put one in each teacher’s school mailbox.
  • Furthermore, you can always:
    • Send a copy of the pamphlet via email to parents.Post it on your teacher website and the school’s website.Give parents the pamphlet at parent-teacher meetings and
    • Share it with your friends and family.

Download the “Five Basics of Parenting Adolescents Pamphlet” here

Undoubtedly, if you’re a teacher, start the new school year off on the right foot! Add to your classroom management strategies and build relationships with your students’ parents with the Pamphlet. Start spreading the good word of the importance of parent-adolescent communication and its impact on teenagers’ well-being and development today!

More aws Studios mental health skill-building resources here and here.

Strong Suits™: A Game to Boost Social Emotional Learning

Published on by awsstudiosartLeave a comment

Making Social Emotional Learning Fun

 Strong Suits™, a game for communication skills, engages young players in a fun card game. In it, participants identify and communicate their strengths, personality, and individuality. In addition, this quick and easy game builds mental/social-emotional health skills. These communication skills include self-confidence, resilience, self-knowledge, self-respect, and the respect of others. The game, designed for 2 or more players, works well played at home or in groups in the classroom. Along with its ability to work for camps and after-school programs.

This image shows an abstract illustration of a diverse group of people with different interests and vocations. Because groups are often diverse, a game for communication skills is not only engaging but critical.

Get Strong Suits™ in the new aws Studios Store!

Other social emotional learning activities and games currently on the shelves at the aws Studios Store:

  • “Circle of Community™” – a fun team-building activity that works well with groups or teams. The activity presents well in the classroom or in the home! “Circle…” shows teams/groups how to work together. This includes keeping conflict to a minimum. This gives groups/teams a better chance of reaching their goals or going for a win.
  • “Reframe It™” is a fun game that builds empathy and an understanding. In particular, it does this exploring child and parent behavior or why kids and parents do what they do! The engaging and interactive game offers players a chance to think about modifying their reactions to challenging behaviors. And it offers ideas on how to alter the environment for more positive behaviors. In addition, this game for Parenting Educators and their parent groups works with pre-teens and teens.
  • “DIY Hardcover Picture Book,” on how to craft your own hardcover picture book.

To purchase this and other activities and a game for communication skills and social emotional learning at the aws Studios Store, you will need to make a FREE Teachers Pay Teachers account. Anyone with a FREE Teachers Pay Teachers account can purchase materials at the aws Studios Store!

And be sure to Like the aws Studios Store, give me a Rating or Review or Ask Me a Question! Check it out here!

How to Get Along with Others

Published on by awsstudiosartLeave a comment

Building a Circle of Community

Just about everywhere – school, work, families, neighborhoods – we have to work and get along with others. If conflict is kept to a minimum, everyone “gets along” better. And the group, team or committee accomplishes its goal more effectively and efficiently. But key to this effectiveness and efficiency is knowing “how” to work together. Often, we’re expected to do this with no instruction or guidance. Teaching about keeping conflict to a minimum and get groups to their goal or “win” often lacks in education. My activity, Circle of Community™, shows teams how to work together to keep conflict to a minimum giving them a better chance of reaching their goals.

a picture of the Totem Animals used in the Circle of Community team building resource that helps students learn how to get along with others

Teamwork

A scene in Apollo 13 provides my favorite illustration of positive teamwork. The astronauts stranded in their capsule need to get back to earth. The NASA scientists and engineers work together to solve the problem. I enjoy challenges with a problem to solve. But not unless I do it with others. For me, there’s comfort in working on a team. I like offering my strengths to the group but I don’t have to know or do everything!  Where I lack certain knowledge or skills, other members’ strengths compensate.

Reducing Conflict and Bad Feelings

But thrown into groups, there’s an expectation everyone will get along. With no direction for how to deal with different personalities, ways of thinking and problem-solving methods, conflict and bad feelings arise.

A Way to Get Along While Working Together

Circle of Community™ helps groups bypass conflict and bad feelings by showing them a way to work together. The activity provides a fun and easy way to build communication skills by assessing each member’s strengths and challenges. By understanding why members do or say what they do, inner team conflict decreases paving a solid road to their business of problem solving.

Circle of Community™ is an activity that works to build community within groups, teams, families, etc. It provides a playful way to learn about each other’s strengths and challenges, illustrating how working together and getting along is an effective strategy for solving problems and attaining group goals.

The activity is for teachers, trainers, Human Resources, parenting educators, parents or any teams or groups working together in for-profit and non-profit organizations.

Every team needs Circle of Community™!

click here to Get Circle of Community™ at “teachers pay teachers”

Reframe It!™: A Game for Parents Looking to Solve Behavior Problems

Published on by awsstudiosartLeave a comment

Reframe It!™ game reduces anxiety and boosts social emotional mental health!

Reframing is a social-emotional mental health tool or strategy that helps to understand the function of human behavior. The American Psychology Association defines reframing as “a process of reconceptualizing a problem by seeing it from a different perspective.” This, then, creates possibilities for parents and others to solve child problem behaviors. Reframing shows how to foresee behavior and bypass it while building empathy and reducing anxiety.

As a parent, I loved learning about reframing. It showed me ways to try to get to the source of my child’s behavior problems. I was able to predict what might happen and diffuse their triggers.  It also helped me improve relationships with family members and friends. Reframing showed me how by to see behaviors from another’s perspective.  I enjoyed learning and teaching reframing so much that I developed “Reframe It!™,”* a game that teaches reframing. It shows a way to see why children or adults behave the way they do. The games also helps to build compassion for others and ourselves.

Reframe It!™ is a fun game!

“Reframe It!™” is a game for parents and others who are parenting to help them understand child behavior and behavior problems. The game can also help parents understand their own behavior, building self-compassion.  With reframing, we gain an understanding of “the function of behavior,” or why people – children and adults – do what they do.

An aws Studios.art cartoon illustration showing a bunch of celery reframing two onions with behavior problems

Reframe It!™ offers players:

  • A chance to think about ways to modify their reactions to challenging or problem behaviors
  • Ways to predict difficult behaviors and then
  • Make changes to the environment or situation to bypass potential problems.
  • For example:

A parent learns that sibling conflicts often arise from children seeking attention or they are bored or jealous. The parent sees the connection and plans ahead to give each child positive attention regularly. Or they change the environment by helping the child engage in a personally stimulating activity.

Reframe It!™ objectives include helping parents:

  • Learn about reframing.
  • Learn how to reframe behaviors to understand the function of behavior.
  • Begin a practice of reframing to help plan for and modify behavior/reactions and the environment.
  • Build empathy.
  • Build an understanding of personal behavior and “why we do what we do.”
  • Enter into discussions about behavior, stress, family roles, tasks, conflict or anger management, etc.
  • Increase comfort in communicating with each other.
  • Improve parent-child communication.

More about reframing here, here and here!

Click here to purchase Reframe It!, a downloadable pdf for $12.00

* Reframe It!™ is a trademark of aws Studios and was developed using the child and parent behavior reframes in Intervening with troubled families: Functional family therapy and Parenting Wisely. D.A. Gordon, author. 2003.

Social and Emotional Health Education Teaching Strategies Engage Students with Art

Published on by awsstudiosartLeave a comment

A Writer and an Artist

I am a Gemini.  Born between May 21 and June 21. I have always thought the Gemini symbol of The Twins defined me well. The two distinct personalities or personas speak clearly to my being an artist and a writer.  Most of my posts to this point have been about my art.  It’s time for me to blog about my writing, in particular, my social and emotional health teaching strategies.

Parenting Education

Two little girls hugging

I started developing educational curricula and teaching strategies as a Parenting Educator.  For many years, I provided programming for parents including single moms and single parents and other caregivers.  As a new mom, I participated in the  “Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP)” program presented by my health care provider and a series on conflict resolution presented by the New Justice Conflict Resolution Services in Syracuse, NY. 

Then, I became a trainer. This was for the “Every Person Influences Children (EPIC)” parenting education program.  Taking parts from all three of these programs, I created and taught a parenting education program. I then taught it for the NYS Board of Cooperative Education Services’ (BOCES) Adult program. 

I loved parenting education, sharing what I had learned and helping other parents.  This work extended into programming I did for in-home day care providers enrolled in the Onondaga County Day Care “Magic Bus” program.    Implementing literary and culinary arts into this curriculum provided fun and engaging activities for both the children and the care providers.

Mental Health Education

After receiving a Masters in Health Education, my curriculum development continued to focus on mental health, providing social and emotional learning (SEL) teaching strategies for K-12 teachers, parents, youth workers, foster care caseworkers and foster parents. 

A illustration of an old woman and the shoe with lots of kids living in the shoe.
A picture of the cover of Final Episode a communication skills resource for high school students.

Award Winning Curriculum

After receiving a Masters in Health Education, my curriculum development continued to focus on mental health, providing social and emotional learning (SEL) teaching strategies for K-12 teachers, parents, youth workers, foster care caseworkers and foster parents. 

During this time,  the NYS Department of Education hired me as an External Consultant to assist in  developing a high school/”commencement level” parenting education curriculum guide.  For the guide, I created, “Final Episode™: Resolving family conflicts with communication,” a commencement level learning experience.

I was thrilled when this curriculum met the State’s ‘Academy for Teaching and Learning” requuirements. With an intense peer-review process, the Academy seeks to award well designed K-12 curricula.

“Final Episode™” incorporated many different art disciplines. These include theatre/drama arts and a “Document Based Questionnaire.” A DBQ engages student learning using paintings, comics and other graphic artwork. This leads students on an entertaining, self-directed journey to learn about how to communicate in safe and healthy ways. 

“Final Episode™” and my other curricula illustrate how my art connects with my mental health curriculum.  Perfect examples of my “gemininess!”  

If you would like to receive an outline of the Final episode curriculum, click here for a free pdf!

Engaging teaching strategies