Family Skill Building
Explore resources for family skill building
Be PREPARED
It can be difficult to know what to say, how much to say, or when to say anything about challenging topics with a child. Utilize this printable tool for support in having open communication with youth about difficult topics.
Behavior Plan
Appropriate responses to children's behavior can help reduce problematic behavior and positively reinforce the behaviors we'd like to see more of. Use this behavior plan handout with parents to identify positive behaviors and brainstorm ways to manage challenging and dangerous behaviors for youth.
Building Relationships With Young Children
For kids, and even for us as adults, learning happens in relationships! So, before you jump right in and teach a new school-readiness skill to a child, consider how important it is to first build a nurturing relationship with that child.
Common Sense Media: Family Engagement Toolkit
Looking to learn strategies to support children and adolescents with their digital engagement? Check out this toolkit on increasing parent engagement and the different tools to cultivate digital wellbeing and responsibility.
Daily Play
Play is how children learn. Use this guide to teach caregivers how to engage with their child during play in order to enhance the child's learning and strengthen their parent and child bond.
Day-of Test Anxiety Tips
The day of your test is here and with it comes a good amount of anxiety. Use these tips to care for yourself when your body enters fight/flight/freeze mode and lower anxiety both immediately before and during the exam. These tips were written by a UCLA student advisor and originally published on the UCLA Center for Child Anxiety Resilience Education and Support (CARES) website. More information about the Day-of Test Anxiety Tips can be accessed here.
Deep Breathing for Children
Deep breathing promotes relaxation. Use this deep breathing script to teach this helpful skill to youth. Optimal times to introduce this technique may be during transitions between activities or at the end of a long school day.
Demonstration: Dealing With a Tantrum
Tantrums are a common occurrence when working with children. This video provides examples on how to manage tantrums. Watch the video with caregivers and engage them in conversation about how to manage these challenging behaviors.
Demonstration: Holding a Family Meeting
Family meetings provide opportunities to foster communication and problem solve challenges. Watch this video with families to see a demonstration of a structured family meeting in order to guide the family to conduct their own meeting.
Demonstration: Playing With a Young Child
Play is how children learn. Watch this video with caregivers to teach them how to engage with their child during play in order to enhance the child's learning and strengthen their parent and child bond.