Caring Causes - Art on the Ave Auction

  Nocturnals 2019, is now live on auction along with the  work of over 20 brilliant AOTA artists. All works are one of a kind originals. 

Please consider bidding or supporting by passing this email along to your art lovers or collector friends.   You can also to support Art on the Ave by making a donation. 

Founded and run by Barbara Anderson, Art on the Ave is a nonprofit that fills vacant storefronts across NYC with locally-made art pieces, showcasing beautiful art by traditionally under-represented artists. This week, they are reanimating a former bank space into a gallery and studio, displaying a breadth of work and inviting visitors to view the artists’ process. The pieces for sale this week were generously donated by artists to help support the continuation of Art on the Ave and all that they do.

Book Nook - Patience in Your Pocket

Kaya’s little sister, Aria, is going through a “Phase.” Whenever she wants something, she wants it now... and she’ll scream and cry and roll on the floor until she gets it! No one knows how to prevent Aria’s tantrums—and once they start, no one knows how to calm her down. That is, not until the girls’ grandmother, Nanima, comes to visit with a special gift: a cute toy bunny named Patience. At first, Kaya wonders how a stuffed bunny can teach Aria to wait for things calmly. But Patience does more than just change Aria’s behavior—it changes their whole family, too!

Buy from www.Brandylanepublishers.com

About the Author
Dr. Shweta Ujaoney is a dentist who works at a private dental practice in Richmond, Virginia. She is passionate about working with kids and understands the need to help them develop certain thought processes as they try to make sense of the world through their own imaginative eyes. Her experience working with children has taught her that learning about patience is all the more imperative in a world where everything is just a click away! She has two daughters, ages eleven and four.

Parenting Pointers - Tips and Tricks for Kids and Laundry

 There are two laundry mysteries that plague most people – one, where do those missing socks go, and two, how do bed sheets get so knotted and tangled? This summer if you’re tackling the task of teaching your kids to do laundry you might also be questioning how they managed to shrink everyone’s clothes or dye them an interesting shade. 

Teaching kids to do laundry can be quite the chore, especially when just trying to get them to put their laundry in the hamper or to put it away after it is clean can require asking multiple times. It’s a life skill that is important to learn though and starting early can help kids learn to do laundry the right way so when they’re living on their own, they are preserving their clothes and linens and aren’t spending extra money on high water or energy bills. 

Some of the basic tips and tricks kids need to learn about doing laundry include:

Learning to read labels. Some of the laundry lore that has been passed down from generation to generation is not necessarily correct. For example, some people have been taught by parents and grandparents that bed sheets should be washed on hot. If you check the label of most sheets however, they often say to wash on a delicate cold cycle. Create flash cards or find a laundry symbol chart online, print and post it in the laundry room to help kids learn what the different symbols on labels mean. 

Understanding laundry cycles. Every washing machine and dryer has different pre-sets and buttons that have different heat settings, spin cycles, and timer settings associated with them. Show kids how turning dials on the washing machine and dryer to different settings changes what lights are lit on the machine indicating temperatures, speeds, and times. Explain that even though some settings like bedding exist, they may not be the right setting for the item being washed or dried, and that this is why it’s important to always read the label and set washer and dryer cycles accordingly. 

Measuring soaps and other additives. All too often people think adding extra soap to the washing machine will result in cleaner clothes. But the opposite is true. It’s important to explain to kids that washing larger mixed loads is ideal so that there is enough laundry in the washing machine for the amount of soap being used. Excessive amounts of soap can leave a residue on clothes, sheets and towels which can make dirt and oil stick to them instead of cleaning them. Washing larger mixed loads also has the added benefit of saving water and energy. 

Extend the lifespan of clothes, sheets and towels. Washing on cold and drying on low heat can help prevent clothes from shrinking. Lower heat is less harsh on fabrics and can also help sheets and towels last longer too. Most laundry detergents are formulated to work just as effectively in cold water as warm or hot. And, drying on low for longer can actually use less energy than drying on hot for a short period of time. 

Other tips and tricks. Once kids have tackled laundry basics, it’s time to start learning about stains, ways to prevent wrinkles and other hacks that can make doing laundry easier. Find a stain chart online, print and hang it next to the laundry symbol chart so kids know what product to use on what type of stain for the best results. Teach kids to put small items that easily get lost inside a mesh laundry bag, so no one must hunt for missing socks again. Introduce tools like wool laundry balls and Wad-Free for Bed Sheets to help save time and solve problems like tangled bed sheets that wad up and take multiple dryer cycles to fully dry. 

 

Book Nook - Appreciating Teachers with Source Books

 If you're looking for a book to celebrate education or the teachers in your life, check out some of the titles below!

• You’re So Bright written by Rose Rossner, illustrated by Emily Emerson (June 6, 2023; board book; ages 0 to 3) — Celebrate your remarkable little one, the highlight of your life, in this erase-istibly cute book for babies and toddlers!
• Thanks a Latte for Being My Teacher written by Rose Rossner, illustrated by Emily Emerson (Mar 5, 2025; hardcover; ages 3 to 7) — Say thank you to a tea-riffic teacher who makes the days brighter with this punderfully sweet picture book!
• Why We Need Teachers written by Gregory E. Lang, illustrated by Lisa Alderson (May 2, 2023; hardcover; ages 4 to 7) — A special celebration of the coaches, mentors, caregivers, and teachers in our lives with a heartfelt message of gratitude for their effort, support, and encouragement!
• A Love Letter to My Library written by Lisa Katzenberger, illustrated by Rob Sayegh Jr. (June 4, 2024; hardcover; ages 4 to 8) — Everyone loves visiting the library! Children and families enjoy the storytimes, quiet moments, crafts, and books – all found at the library!
• A Thank You Letter to My Homeschool written by Deb Adamson, illustrated by Airin O'Callaghan (Apr 1, 2025; hardcover; ages 4 to 8) — A celebration of homeschool in all its forms, it's the perfect book for every family who embraces this form of learning.

Parenting Pointers - Rebranding Autism: Why the Most Powerful Change Begins at Home

By Clain Udy, Author of Rebranding Autism: A Guide to Seeing Strength on the Spectrum

When I set out writing Rebranding Autism, I was driven by this realization: despite decades of advocacy and public campaigns, despite greater awareness and media representation, the everyday experience of autistic people and their families remains enormously burdened by misunderstanding, stigmatization, and fear. At the heart of this is a defective narrative that writes the wrong story of autism.

And here’s the truth that is not said often enough: no amount of policy, research, or media campaigns can transform this narrative as powerfully as what happens inside our homes.

I think of autism research as botany. Botanists study plants through a scientific lens, through microscopes and data sets. Autism research, which has predominantly centered on perceived deficits, often comparing autistic individuals to neurotypical standards–cascades into public policy, into schools, into the provider community, into schools, and eventually into homes. The result is a language largely centered around deficit, disorder, and dysfunction. Ultimately, this heavily informs the image and perspective around autism. 

Not to be mistaken, the work of autism research is valuable; there’s no question. But researchers, public policy makers, educators and providers are not the ones tending the soil of autistic children every single day. We, as parents, are the gardeners of our children’s identities. We are the ones who–on a daily basis–write the story of our autistic children that they will believe.

I know this because I have lived it. As the father of an incredible autistic son, I spent years allowing a deficit narrative to fog the perception of my son. My wife and I initially chased the mirage of “normal,” believing our job was to push our son toward the mainstream. We tried to mask his differences, to soften the edges, hoping the world might somehow catch on. It didn’t. In fixing our focus on integrating him into the mainstream, we ended up focusing on all that he wasn’t, rather than seeing all that he was.

At one point, something changed. It wasn’t because of a scientific breakthrough or a public awareness campaign. I was re-reading two books: First Break All the Rules, and Now Discover Your Strengths, by Don Clifton and Marcus Buckingham. As part of a massive research conducted through the Gallup organization, they asked the question: What makes great managers great? They thought they would uncover things like great strategic vision, or managerial skills. Instead, they found that great managers look for strengths, and put their team members in a position to exercise their strengths on a daily basis.

The implications for our son were immediate and profound. We vowed to look for, find, and develop our son’s strengths. This doesn’t mean we ignored his non-strengths, but the overwhelming focus was on his strengths. We began to push aside the focus (the distraction) of atypical behaviors; we purposefully looked for, found, and began developing his strengths. 

It began by seeing his intense interest in cars, and this his high visual/spatial abilities, which lead to him completing a 1,200 hour computer-aided drafting and design certification during high school, followed by working (and doing brilliantly) in an airbag manufacturing plan, and next year will be graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering. 

Most importantly, he knows who he is. His identity–how he sees himself–is grounded in his strengths. It not only changed how he sees himself, but how we see him as well–for all that he is vs all that he isn’t. This change in perception transformed not just our son’s life, but our own as well.

What I want every parent to know is this: you are not powerless in the face of autism. In fact, you are the most powerful force your child will ever encounter. Before teachers, before therapists, before employers—there is you. You shape the environment in which your child’s identity is formed. You are the first and most influential narrator of their story.

And if we, as parents, begin to tell a story of strength—if we cultivate an environment where our children can see themselves as capable, as gifted, as contributors to the world around them—we can change not only their trajectory, but the way society sees autism altogether.

Throughout my journey as the father of an incredible autistic son, I have come to understand this:

In life, you find what you’re looking for.

If you look for weakness, you’ll find it, and grow it.

If you look for strength, you’ll find it and grow it.

Look for strength. You just might find amazing.

The work of rebranding autism begins with you.

Healthy Habits - Babies and Screens

 A worldwide group of developmental researchers and child health specialists is simultaneously sounding the alarm that excessive screen use by and around children between birth and age 3 is a “serious risk factor” for the most sensitive and rapidly growing period of human brain development.   

The alliance cites research emerging globally over the past six years associating screen exposure with disruptions to babies’ cognitive, physical and social-emotional development. Developmental concerns include speech delay, attachment problems, behavioral changes including autistic-like symptoms, and differences in how infant brains form and operate.

The worldwide alert happened April 23, on World Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Day.

Difficulties for infants and babies posed by screen use can occur through multiple pathways, including through the direct effects of sensory hyper-stimulation on the developing brain.

Time spent viewing screens displaces the critical social and real-world sensory experiences that very young children need for optimal growth and development.

“Technoference”— when a caregiver’s attention is focused on a digital device while an infant is present—can cause the baby psychological and physiological stress and interfere with the caregiver’s responses to the baby’s needs. 

When TVs, phones and tablets are used to calm and entertain babies, it can lead to compulsive viewing and make it harder for little ones to learn to manage their emotions.

Having the TV on for prolonged periods in the presence of babies—even if it appears they are not watching—distracts them from their play and reduces their interaction with caregivers so that children hear fewer words and it is harder to learn to speak.     

Many apps and shows made for babies, toddlers and preschoolers use manipulative design techniques to keep very young children glued to the screen.

“The research tells us that screens distract babies from paying attention to people, distract the parents and caregivers from paying attention to the babies, and may directly affect early brain connectivity and attention mechanisms,” according to Karen Heffler, M.D., researcher in the Department of Psychiatry at Drexel University College of Medicine. “Parents, healthcare providers and governments need to know about findings from this research in order to make the best choices for babies’ well-being.” 

Members of the group known as the Global Alliance for Inspiring Non-tech Infant Nurturing and Growth (GAINING) also stress how to support baby brain-building and development: through full-sensory physical play and responsive “serve and return” engagement which parents and other caregivers are naturally equipped to do. Similar to playing ball, babies learn how to speak and interact through “serving” a sound or expression to caregivers who “return the serve” with soothing words, smiles, and gentle touch.

Based on guidelines recently updated in several countries around the world, GAINING Awareness Alerts recommend that until at least age 2, babies should not be exposed to screens except in supervised video chats with loved ones. Three out of four children under age 2 now exceed those recommendations, but studies also show parents who learn the guidelines allow significantly less screen time.

GAINING highlights the economic advantages of preventing the negative effects of excessive screen time in early childhood. By addressing these issues early on, governments can reduce the need for expensive speech, behavioral, and other therapeutic interventions for screen-related delays among toddlers and preschoolers.

To assist parents who want to limit screen use, governments are encouraged to support the establishment of screen-free nurseries, childcare centers, and preschools, as well as lending libraries for non-electronic toys.

Governments can also invest in awareness campaigns to promote healthy early childhood development. Greater parental awareness at the earliest time may help to decrease screen-related developmental delays and the societal costs for therapies, educational supports for children, and loss of productivity by parents.

Just as pediatricians and other healthcare providers teach parents about their babies’ nutrition, healthcare providers can help parents care for their babies’ brain health. The healthcare provider alert also encourages discussions with parents about family screen usage, starting with prenatal visits and each well-child exam thereafter.

The “News to Know” alert inspires parents to be confident that they are equipped to provide exactly what babies need: one-to-one attention, words, gentle touch, reading time, and playtime indoors and out with non-electronic playthings. Strategies suggested for screen management at home include having screen-free places and times, such as in bedrooms and during meals, and for parents to seek help when overwhelmingly depressed or anxious.

Find the Alerts, supporting research, and parent resources for managing screen time on the project website: MyBabyGains.org.

 

About GAINING:

The Global Alliance for Inspiring Non-tech Infant Nurturing and Growth (GAINING) consists of child development specialists, clinicians, researchers, educators, and advocates on a mission to raise worldwide awareness of babies’ crucial need for physical play and face-to-face human interaction and of the risks to their cognitive, emotional, and relational development associated with regular and prolonged screen exposure. GAINING Awareness Alerts are based on global research findings and are for the information of parents, caregivers, healthcare providers, and government agencies.

 

 

#TechCanWait #WICAMHD #ProtectBabyBrains

#ScreenFreeBabies #ScreenFreeToddlers

#ParentsNotScreens #YouTimeNotScreenTime

#WeAreGAINING

 

Money Matters - Credit Card Fees Survey

 Credit card processing fees are increasingly common, and 87% of people think they are being nickel-and-dimed when they are asked to pay one, according to WalletHub’s 2025 Credit Card Processing Fees Survey, released today.

Key Findings

• Consumers Aren't Pleased: 87% of people think they are being nickel-and-dimed when they are asked to pay an extra fee for credit card payment processing.
   
• Credit Card Fees Are Everywhere: More than 4 in 5 Americans have been charged a fee for paying with a credit card.
   
• Processing Fee Boycott: 2 in 3 Americans say they would not use their credit card if they were charged a fee for doing so.
   
• Unfair Merchant Tactic: More than 3 in 5 people believe it’s unfair for merchants to pass their payment processing fees on to their customers.
  
   

“Prices are high enough as is without businesses tacking on fees for what seems like a standard cost associated with running a retail operation, yet more than 4 in 5 people have been charged a credit card processing fee by a merchant, according to a new WalletHub survey. The pressure that consumers’ finances have been under due to inflation, high debt levels, and tariffs help explain why 87% of people feel like they are being nickel-and-dimed by processing fees and more than 3 in 5 people say it’s unfair for merchants to pass these fees on to their customers.”

- John Kiernan, WalletHub Editor

 
More From WalletHub

• Tipping Survey
• Credit Card Debt Study
• Average Credit Card Processing Fees
• Credit Card Fees: Types, Averages, FAQ & Resources
• Credit Card Checkout Fees: Everything You Need to Know

Dazzling Drinks - Teeccino

 Thirty years ago at Expo West 1995, Teeccino, the best-selling coffee alternative brand known for its bold-tasting roasted herbal coffees and teas, created a new coffee category, caffeine-free coffee alternatives, by launching the first ever herbal coffee alternative blends that tasted and brewed just like coffee.

Leading the way once again, Teeccino is bucking the current trend of mushroom coffees that depend on caffeine to make customers think they’re getting the effect of functional mushrooms.

At Booth #534, Teeccino will be serving Miraculous Mushrooms® Mocha, the caffeine-free brew with 1,250 mg of 5 organic fruiting body 4:1 extracts: chaga, lion’s mane, reishi, turkey tail and cordyceps. Miraculous Mushrooms® can be brewed like coffee, steeped like tea or stirred into hot or cold water as an instant beverage.

With its mission to promote optimal health with every sip of Teeccino, the company is declaring the content and extract purity of its mushrooms on its label rather than misleading customers to think they are getting effective dosages of functional mushrooms when they are only getting small amounts of mushroom powders or extracts that are highly diluted with maltodextrin.

“We’re committed to bringing the very best possible ingredients in all our Teeccino blends,” says Caroline MacDougall, Teeccino’s founder and creator. “Our suppliers have told us about how much adulteration is going on in the mushroom supply chain which personally, upsets me deeply. We believe our customers should get as much value for their money as possible and depend on receiving products that bring optimal health when they buy Teeccino.”

Also available for tasting in Teeccino’s booth is English Toffee with its luxurious buttercream over the flavor of toasted sugar and a dusting of cacao. With the popularity of what the Company calls its ‘indulgent blends’, English Toffee as part of Teeccino’s Mediterranean line famed for its rich flavor of roasted almonds and its natural sweetness from dates and figs. Of course, these blends are both sugar and caffeine free.

Background on the Company:

Inspiration for Teeccino came from a dream the founder, Caroline MacDougall, had after developing several lines of tea for Yogi Tea and The Republic of Tea and sourcing herbs around the world for Celestial Seasonings. In the prescient dream, MacDougall heard herself say, “The next product I’m going to create is a caffeine-free cappuccino and the name of the product is Teeccino.” 

Roasting and grinding herbs in her kitchen gave MacDougall the ingredients she needed to match the taste of coffee with an all-purpose grind that could be brewed in any kind of coffee maker including espresso machines. MacDougall later launched Teeccino in 6g tea bags after discovering how many tea drinkers loved Teeccino too.

Now in 2025, the company manufactures over 40 herbal coffees and teas in its own manufacturing plant in Oxnard, CA. With an omni-channel distribution model, Teeccino is price competitive with specialty coffee while many newer entries in the coffee alternative space are built on super premium price point that has not proven to be sustainable in the retail channel. Teeccino’s products can be found in both the coffee and tea set where they appeal to both coffee and tea drinkers alike.

About Teeccino

Caroline MacDougall launched Teeccino at Expo West in 1995 to satisfy both coffee and tea drinkers alike with its rich, bold, full-bodied flavor and its many health benefits. Nationally distributed in specialty grocery chains like Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Kroger, as well as retailers like Amazon, iHerb, and Vitacost, Teeccino blends are the #1 caffeine-free coffee alternatives in the coffee set and the premier line of roasted herbal teas in the tea set. Unique among all teas and coffees, people often ask, is Teeccino coffee or is it tea? The answer is simple, it’s Teeccino! For more information, please visit teeccino.com

Music MInute - Tayla Lynn: Out of My Head and Back in My Bed

 Heart of Texas Records, in collaboration with StarVista Music, is proud to announce the release of "Out Of My Head And Back In My Bed," the latest single from Tayla Lynn’s upcoming album, Singin’ Loretta — a heartfelt tribute to her iconic grandmother, Loretta Lynn. Premiered by Country Evolution, the track captures the timeless storytelling and emotional depth that defined Loretta’s legendary career. With her signature blend of passion and authenticity, Tayla brings new life to the classic hit, delivering a soulful performance that honors her grandmother’s legacy while adding her own personal touch.

Singin’ Loretta marks Tayla’s second full-length solo album and features a collection of beloved songs that celebrate the spirit and strength of Loretta Lynn’s music. Alongside "Out Of My Head And Back In My Bed," the album includes favorites like "Rated ‘X’," "Blue Kentucky Girl," "One’s On the Way," "Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (with Lovin' On Your Mind)," and "You’re Lookin’ at Country," as well as lesser-known treasures like "There He Goes" and "The Titanic." Singin’ Loretta will be available on May 30th.

To listen/stream: lnk.to/OutofMyHeadAndBackInMyBed

To pre-save Singin’ Loretta: lnk.to/SinginLoretta

“I remember watching an interview once when Memaw was asked ‘how many of those songs are about your husband, Doolittle?’” She said “All of ‘em”, to which the interviewer asked if Papaw ever got mad. She said ‘Oh no honey, he just laughed all the way to the bank.”

Tayla Lynn always knew music would be her path, with no “Plan B” in sight. Performing at a young age with her grandmother, she later collaborated with songwriting legends like James House, Gary Burr, Leslie Satcher, and Jon Randall. After earning a development deal with RCA, she met Caroline Hobby and Jennifer Wayne through mentor Anastasia Brown, forming the trio Stealing Angels.

From 2007 to 2012, they toured the country, performed for troops in Iraq and Kuwait, and worked with Grammy-winning producer Paul Worley. Following her marriage and motherhood, Tayla moved to Seattle, where the music scene reignited her passion. Returning to Tennessee, she resumed performing with her grandmother and launched Twitty and Lynn with Tre Twitty in 2018. Performing over 100 shows annually, they released their debut album Cookin' Up Lovin' in April 2024. Tayla also released Tayla Lynn Sings Loretta Lynn in 2022, a tribute to her grandmother, with her follow-up album Still Singing Loretta Lynn set for 2025. Writing with Mark Narmore and Scott Baggett, she continues to blend her own life experiences with the stories of the women who came before her.

Facebook | Spotify | Instagram | Website | TikTok | YouTube

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More About Tayla Lynn:

Tayla Lynn is a country music artist, comedian, actress, and proud granddaughter of the legendary Loretta Lynn. With a voice rooted in heritage and a spirit all her own, Tayla captivates audiences through raw honesty, soulful performances, and a heartfelt connection to the stage. As one half of the duo Twitty and Lynn with Tre Twitty, she honors her iconic lineage while carving out a bold, authentic path—including co-owning MEPOP Records and their own booking agency. Her albums include Tayla Sings Loretta Lynn (Heart of Texas Records) and the latest Cookin’ Up Lovin’ (MEPOP Records).

Beyond the spotlight, Tayla is a devoted wife and mama, a passionate advocate for sobriety and spiritual healing, and a storyteller with just the right amount of sass—known for tales that’ll make you cry one minute and laugh the next.

Caring Causes - Stand for the Silent

 According to the dictionary, resiliency is the capacity to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties. In other words, things happen in life, and we must be able to bounce back quickly, or it can take a significant toll. Many parents are facing this issue as they strive to raise kids who are resilient and can stand up to and bounce back from what life throws at them, including any bullying they may encounter.

 

"We all want to raise resilient children, but wanting to and knowing exactly how to is a different story,” says Kirk Smalley, co-founder of Stand for the Silent. "There are things we can do to help kids be more resilient. We are not their only influence as they grow up, but we can help by keeping those things in mind.”

 

According to Harvard University's Center on the Developing Child, building a child's resilience capacity is essential to their lifelong health and well-being. This is because resilience reduces the effects of significant adversity or toxic stress on early development and helps people overcome serious hardships. They report that some children develop resilience while others do not. The good news is that resiliency can be strengthened at any age, so it's never too late to make it a focus.

 

Here are some things parents and caregivers can do to help strengthen resiliency in children:

• Encourage Open Communication – Children need an environment where they feel safe and can express their feelings and concerns. Check in with them regularly to ask about their day, friendships, and any challenges they may be facing.  
• Teach Problem-Solving Skills - Encourage your child to think critically about challenges. Ask guiding questions that help them brainstorm solutions rather than immediately providing answers.
• Model Resilience – Children often learn more from watching what their parents are doing than listening to what they say. Demonstrate resiliency and share experiences of overcoming challenges and obstacles. Show them how you manage the stress from such situations. They will learn that challenges happen to everyone and that they can be overcome.
• Encourage Independence – Many parents struggle with giving their children more independence, but it builds confidence and helps them learn to navigate challenges. Allow them to make age-appropriate decisions and face the consequences. This builds confidence and helps them learn to navigate challenges on their own.
• Promote Empathy - Teach your child to understand and respect others' feelings. Discuss bullying scenarios and encourage them to consider how their actions affect others. Show empathy to others so they see it in action.
• Set Realistic Expectations - Help your child set achievable goals and understand that failure is a part of growth. Celebrate their efforts, not just their successes, to reinforce the value of perseverance.
• Teach Coping Strategies - Equip your child with tools to manage stress and emotions, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or journaling. Practice these techniques together so they feel comfortable using them independently.
• Encourage Positive Relationships - Help your child build a supportive network of friends and mentors. Encourage them to engage in activities where they can meet peers with similar interests. Talk to them about healthy relationships and why they are important.
• Discuss Bullying Openly - Have honest conversations about bullying, its effects, and how to respond. Role-play different scenarios to help your child practice what to say or do if they encounter bullying. Children need to know what to do if they see bullying or are victims of it.
• Stay Involved - Be active in your child's school and extracurricular activities. This will help you stay informed about your child's environment and show your child that you care about their experiences.
• Teach Assertiveness - Help your child learn to stand up for themselves respectfully. Role-play assertive communication techniques, such as using "I" statements to express their feelings. Bullies tend to pick on those who they feel will not stand up for themselves.
• Encourage a Growth Mindset - Teach your child that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning. Praise their hard work and resilience rather than just their achievements.
• Limit Screen Time - Monitor and limit exposure to negative influences, including cyberbullying. Encourage healthy online habits and discuss the importance of digital citizenship.
• Seek Professional Help if Needed - If your child is struggling significantly with resilience or bullying, consider seeking support from a counselor or therapist who specializes in child development.

“When we do some of these things, we are going to help children be more resilient, which will help them immensely,” added Smalley. “We are happy to visit your school or community and further help put bullying in the spotlight so it can be addressed. We are reducing bullying one school at a time.”

 

Not only is resiliency helpful when it comes to bullying issues, but it is also related to fewer mental health problems. According to a study published in the journal Current Opinion in Psychiatry, a review of 25 published studies showed that a higher level of resilience is related to having fewer mental health problems. Researchers report that resiliency is strongly associated with mental health in children and adolescents.

 

Stand for the Silent travels the country, giving presentations about bullying to schools, providing bullying prevention, giving out scholarships, offering intervention strategies, and more. Those interested in getting involved can start a chapter of the group in their area, obtain a free K-2 bullying prevention curriculum or cyberbullying handbook for parents, host a presentation at their school, introduce the How All Started video, and donate to help support the cause. To get more information, visit the site at: https://standforthesilent.org/

 

About Stand for the Silent

Started in 2010, Stand for the Silent is an organization on a mission to help eliminate bullying nationwide. Kirk and Laura Smalley founded the group after their child took his own life due to bullying. They offer free resources for parents and educators and travel to schools to host presentations. They have been to over 6,025 schools and spoken with more than 4.15 million students. To get more information, visit the site at: https://standforthesilent.org/

 

 

 

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Sources:

Harvard University. A Guide to Resilience. https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resource-guides/guide-resilience/

 

Current Opinion in Psychiatry. Resilience and mental health in children and adolescents: an update of the recent literature and future directions. September 2021.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8500371/