100 episodes

Calm and Connected is created by Janine Halloran, an experienced counselor and mom. Janine gives quick tips and helpful information about coping skills and play

Calm and Connected Podcast Janine Halloran

    • Kids & Family
    • 4.9 • 28 Ratings

Calm and Connected is created by Janine Halloran, an experienced counselor and mom. Janine gives quick tips and helpful information about coping skills and play

    Helping Kids with Social Skills and Friendships

    Helping Kids with Social Skills and Friendships

    Have you noticed social skills missing in your kids? Caroline Maguire, author of Why Will No One Play With Me?, joins me to discuss how to support your child and build them up through play.

    Here’s some of the areas we cover:

    The importance of play

    How to play with your kids in a role play situation

    The power of storytelling to explain social situations 

    Debriefing with your kids and working on your bond together

    Finding the organic moments to talk to your kids

    Supporting them through childhood playdates to teenage hangouts

    Figuring out their baseline and strengths 

    Using their interests to encourage and build them up

    This is a clip from a live webinar.

    If you’d like to hear the whole interview,

    please join the Hub!

    About The Guest - Caroline maguire

    Caroline Maguire, is the founder of a revolutionary social emotional learning methodology that helps teach social skills to children, teenagers, and young adults. She holds a holds a Masters in Education degree with a concentration in SEL training and is the founder and director of The Fundamentals of ADHD Coaching for Families training curriculum at ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA). She is a former coach for the Hallowell Center in Sudbury, Massachusetts. She is the author of Why Will No One Play With Me?, the winner of the Best Parenting and Family Book 2020 as awarded by American Book Fest and co-collaborator on newly released HowToSel.com – a daily social emotional learning platform anyone can incorporate into daily life.

    Why Will No One Play With Me? The Play Better Plan To Help Children of All Ages Makes Friends and Thrive by Caroline Maguire, PCC, M.Ed.

    www.carolinemaguireauthor.com 

    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolineM 

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/authorcarolinecm/

    Twitter https://twitter.com/AuthorCarolineM 

    Pinterest https://www.instagram.com/authorcarolinecm/ 

    LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/authorcarolinecm/  

    About The Host - Janine Halloran

    Janine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!

    If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:
    https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletter

    If you're interested in joining the Coping Skills Community Hub, an ever-expanding resource library and community of families and professionals teaching kids how to cope, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hub

    If you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkids


    Connect with Janine on Social Media
    Instagram: @copingskillsforkids
    Facebook: facebook.com/copingskillsforkids and facebook.com/encourageplay
    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JanineHalloranEncouragePlay

    • 21 min
    Coping Skills for Teens Who Are Angry

    Coping Skills for Teens Who Are Angry

    Has your child hit their teenage years and puberty has started? Have you noticed their emotions are changing? What about their most extreme emotions? Do you find that your teenager can feel really angry at times?

    In today’s episode, Janine unpacks some strategies to help you as parents support your teenager and how to develop that connection between yourself as the parent and them.

    Here’s what Janine discusses in today’s episode:
    Connection being key and your teen feeling heard
    How to notice emotions in their body
    Breathing exercises
    Making paper airplanes
    Squeezing dough or slime
    Cool compress on your neck
    Drinking cold water to regulate body temperature
    Talking through what you can and can’t control
    Channeling energy into positive action
    Making a plan for your child


    Resources Mentioned in the Podcast

    Coping Skills Community Hub

    https://copingskillsforkids.com/hub

    And remember, do not forget about yourself, take a few minutes for you and have a little fun!

    About The Host - Janine Halloran
    Janine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!

    If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:
    https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletter

    If you're interested in joining the Coping Skills Community Hub, an ever-expanding resource library and community of families and professionals teaching kids how to cope, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hub

    If you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkids

    Connect with Janine on Social Media
    Instagram: @copingskillsforkids
    Facebook: facebook.com/copingskillsforkids and facebook.com/encourageplay
    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JanineHalloranEncouragePlay

    • 12 min
    Books to Help Kids with OCD

    Books to Help Kids with OCD

    OCD can manifest itself in different ways with different obsessions and focus that are going on in your life. Children’s author, Marin Canaday describes OCD feeling like a monster devouring your emotions and feelings, where you could get to the point where you feel out of control and you begin to believe the lies the OCD obsessions tell you about yourself. 

    Marin joins me today in this episode and we discuss some of the following areas: 

    Marin discusses how the idea for her book, My Little Monster came about

    Doubting yourself and OCD

    Contamination and germs and OCD

    Religion and OCD

    Harm and OCD 

    Hiding symptoms and coping strategies

    Getting diagnosed

    How Marin likes to rest and relax

    About The Guest - Marin Canaday

    Marin grew up with OCD from an early age, although she was not sure what it was that she struggled with until her 30's. A lot of her struggle was internal. As a child, she found that studying and sports helped take my mind off of the OCD thought patterns. When she studied or played a sport, she felt like she had a brain break, so she threw herself into both with vigor. Her study habits paid off, and Marin graduated in the top of her classes in both high school and college. She also went on to play collegiate volleyball, earning All American honors in her senior year. 

    Her struggle with OCD really became more evident externally when she reached adulthood. Without studying or sports to hide in any longer, she came face to face with her anxiety disorder. She couldn't eat, sleep, or function in day-to-day tasks. Marin’s struggles with her thoughts were all that she could fight all day and night. It was grueling.

    Today, with therapy and medication to help, she is much healthier and confident. Marin writes in her free time to inspire others who may be struggling with anxiety as well. She is the the author of two books, My Little Monster and The Very Best Me. Her OCD still whispers to her and at times begins to shout. She finds relief in gardening, crafting, reading, and writing.

    Website - www.mylittleocdmonster.com

    Facebook - My Little OCD Monster https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090423289366

    Resources mentioned:
    Marin has two books, My Little Monster and The Very Best Me.

    Dr. Dawn Huebner - https://www.dawnhuebnerphd.com/

    Natasha Daniels - https://www.anxioustoddlers.com/

    When a Family Member has OCD by John Hershfield, MFT. 

    About The Host - Janine Halloran

    Janine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!

    If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:
    https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletter

    If you're interested in joining the Coping Skills Community Hub, an ever-expanding resource library and community of families and professionals teaching kids how to cope, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hub

    If you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkids


    Connect with Janine on Social Media
    Instagram: @copingskillsforkids
    Facebook: facebook.com/copingskillsforkids and facebook.com/encourageplay
    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JanineHalloranEncouragePlay

    • 25 min
    Seven Coping Skills to Use at an Elementary Schoolo

    Seven Coping Skills to Use at an Elementary Schoolo

    A child at Elementary School will be learning and figuring out what emotions are and what’s going on in their bodies when their ‘big feelings’ appear. They’ll be learning to put names to their emotions and trying figuring out why they’re feeling what they are.

    In the moments when they feel upset, overwhelmed and unable to put words to their emotions, there are some straightforward strategies we can have in our toolkit ready to use and support this age group with.

    Here are some some of the strategies discussed in todays episode:

    Deep breathing strategies like the ‘Cooling the Cocoa’ strategy
    Imagining your favorite place
    Helpful distractions like games like ‘Would you rather?’
    Go for a walk to a water fountain to hydrate, get the body moving and helping to transition back to the classroom
    Calming Jars with glitter and glue
    Feelings Thermometers
    Take 5 to Calm Down

    Resources Mentioned in the Podcast

    Coping Skills Community Hub

    https://copingskillsforkids.com/hub

    And remember, do not forget about yourself, take a few minutes for you and have a little fun!

    About The Host - Janine Halloran
    Janine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!

    If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:
    https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletter

    If you're interested in joining the Coping Skills Community Hub, an ever-expanding resource library and community of families and professionals teaching kids how to cope, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hub

    If you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkids

    Connect with Janine on Social Media
    Instagram: @copingskillsforkids
    Facebook: facebook.com/copingskillsforkids and facebook.com/encourageplay
    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JanineHalloranEncouragePlay

    • 12 min
    A Conversation about School Readiness with Caroline Allen

    A Conversation about School Readiness with Caroline Allen

    The transition to preschool to elementary school can be such an anxious time for both parents and for the children. There’s a lot of unknowns to get them ready for and sometimes we think there’s lots we have to do to prepare them for starting. Today we discuss what you can do to help reduce anxiety for your little one with nursery practitioner, Caroline Allen. 

    In this episode they discuss:

    Getting your child ready for school

    How difficult transition can be for parents as well as children

    What comments from family may or may not be helpful

    ‘Transistionitis’ - a phrase Caroline has come up with to describe the time before starting school

    Tips on how to speak about going to school and what may be at a school setting

    Does it matter if my child doesn’t write or read before they start school?

    How your child can learn and being lead by a child's interest 

    Delving a Little Deeper 

    How Caroline rests and relaxes

    About The Guest - Caroline Allen

    Caroline Allen has run childcare settings in the UK, trained internationally and supported practitioners and carers for over 25 years. She understands how important it is to relate well with our young children, yet this is not easy, and few have the time to read or study. Caroline now hosts Turning Little Stones podcasts, which are for anyone (professionals and family carers) with young children in their lives. In each episode, snippets of sound childcare theory become accessible and relatable, helping us all to better support our children and delight in being part of their journey. 

    Website - www.turninglittlestones.co.uk

    Resources mentioned: Delving a Little Deeper' (accessed from the website), which is for those wanting a little more theory. 

    Instagram - @turninglittlestones

    About The Host - Janine Halloran

    Janine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!

    If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:
    https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletter

    If you're interested in joining the Coping Skills Community Hub, an ever-expanding resource library and community of families and professionals teaching kids how to cope, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hub

    If you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkids


    Connect with Janine on Social Media
    Instagram: @copingskillsforkids
    Facebook: facebook.com/copingskillsforkids and facebook.com/encourageplay
    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JanineHalloranEncouragePlay

    • 26 min
    Create a Coping Skills Toolkit On The Go

    Create a Coping Skills Toolkit On The Go

    It’s wonderful having a home set up where you have a reset or safe space where your kids can use strategies and process their emotions. But what happens when we go out? Having coping strategies ready is just as important. Whether that’s at school, traveling, out with friends, before a medical appointment or at parties knowing what you can do outside of the comfort of your own home is really helpful.

    The topics we cover in this episode are:
    Thinking about what situations could be tricky
    How to create a plan for when you’re out
    Items which are helpful to have in your ‘on the go’ bag. Including
    Pens and pencils
    Notebooks and coloring books
    Music
    Fidgets
    Visual reminders of coping skills, like word games, breathing strategies, etc.
    How to review your ‘On the Go’ plan for your family


    Resources Mentioned in the Podcast

    Coping Skills Community Hub

    https://copingskillsforkids.com/hub

    And remember, do not forget about yourself, take a few minutes for you and have a little fun!

    About The Host - Janine Halloran
    Janine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an author, a speaker, an entrepreneur and a mom. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Janine has been working primarily with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. She is the Founder of 'Coping Skills for Kids', where she creates products and resources to help kids learn to cope with their feelings in safe and healthy ways. Janine also founded 'Encourage Play’ which dedicated to helping kids learn and practice social skills in the most natural way - through play!

    If you're interested in learning more about how to teach kids coping skills, download your free Coping Skills Toolkit:
    https://copingskillsforkids.com/newsletter

    If you're interested in joining the Coping Skills Community Hub, an ever-expanding resource library and community of families and professionals teaching kids how to cope, learn more at https://copingskillsforkids.com/hub

    If you'd like to purchase Janine's products, including the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, Social Skills for Kids Workbook, Coping Cue Cards, and more, visit https://store.copingskillsforkids.com or https://amazon.com/copingskillsforkids

    Connect with Janine on Social Media
    Instagram: @copingskillsforkids
    Facebook: facebook.com/copingskillsforkids and facebook.com/encourageplay
    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JanineHalloranEncouragePlay

    • 9 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
28 Ratings

28 Ratings

Butterfly begin ,

Such helpful tools!

I am a play therapist and I love the resources and tools offered by your podcast and guests. Thanks so much for all you do for the community.

Mmmmmagic3461 ,

Essential listening

I have found Janine‘s podcast so helpful, both in my work with parents and children, and also in my own life.
The episode about music was especially compelling, but they are all awesome.
Keep up the good work Janine!
From your friend Karen Lock Kolp 💕

kfry2018 ,

Good stuff!

I have enjoyed the podcast! I appreciate the short bursts of info! I am off to check out the Discovery cards she described in one of the podcasts! I am looking forward to listening to more podcasts!

Top Podcasts In Kids & Family

Calm Parenting Podcast
Kirk Martin
Good Inside with Dr. Becky
Dr. Becky Kennedy
Greeking Out from National Geographic Kids
National Geographic Kids
Circle Round
WBUR
Raising Good Humans
Dear Media, Aliza Pressman
Robot Unicorn
Robot Unicorn

You Might Also Like

Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris
Good Inside with Dr. Becky
Dr. Becky Kennedy
The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
Pushkin Industries
We Can Do Hard Things
Glennon Doyle and Audacy
Calm Parenting Podcast
Kirk Martin
ADHD Experts Podcast
ADDitude