First Five & Beyond, LLC

08/14/2025

🌿 Rooted Like Bamboo 🌿

Last Friday, I had the privilege of providing a training for two amazing preschools here in Florida on Strengthening Culture, Professionalism, and Wellness in Early Education.

We explored:🔎

Building a Positive School Culture

Professionalism and Work Ethics

Respectful Tone and Communication

Mental Wellness for Educators

Conscious Discipline Strategies

Positive Behavior Support Approaches

Each participant received a gift of bamboo, a living symbol of strength, flexibility, and resilience along with a pocket-sized journal.

✏️ Using plant picks, we wrote down qualities that we share with bamboo and reflected on this question:

What kind of energy, mindset, or habit do you want to plant in your work this year?

🌿 Bamboo reminds us that even when growth isn’t visible, strong roots are forming beneath the surface. With patience, care, and the right environment, we can flourish in ways we never imagined.

My hope is that each educator left feeling rooted, inspired, and ready to grow as they step into the new school year. 🌱

Personalized Labels:

08/06/2025

Saturday 👇🏾

What Every Parent and Early Childhood Professional Needs to Know About Trauma and Healing

07/24/2025

✨ Exciting News! ✨

I’m proud to share that I am now officially an Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist (I/ECMH-E®) through the Florida Association for Infant Mental Health (FAIMH)! With Funding from the Florida Blue Foundation.

I’ve been part of FAIMH since 2018, growing through multiple levels of their endorsement process. Each step has deepened my dedication to supporting infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families through culturally sensitive, relationship-focused mental health care.

For many, infant and early childhood mental health is an unfamiliar concept, but it’s vital. These early years lay the foundation for a child’s emotional well-being, relationships, and resilience. Supporting the bond between young children and their caregivers can prevent future challenges and help families thrive.

As a licensed therapist, this milestone is deeply meaningful. From a young age, I’ve been passionate about working with children, helping them grow, 🌱 empowering caregivers, and creating spaces where connection and emotional wellness can flourish.

FAIMH’s Endorsement® reflects a commitment to high standards, reflective practice, and the power of relationships in early childhood mental health. I’m grateful for this journey, proud of the work we do, and excited to continue supporting families during these foundational years 👏🏽 .

07/06/2025

Community, Service and Family Values 🥰

04/30/2025

💚 May 2025 💚

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Here I am wearing my green "Children’s Mental Health Matters" shirt from the Florida Association of Infant Mental Health to show my support and advocacy for a community that’s close to my heart.

👶🏾 I will also be wearing my shirt on May 7th for National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day.

Green is the official color of Mental Health Awareness because it represents new life, growth, and hope. And what better place to nurture that growth than in our children?

As an early childhood mental health clinician and therapist, I believe that children’s mental health is just as vital as their physical health. Early experiences shape the way young minds develop, how they form relationships, and how they learn to cope with life’s challenges.

When we support children’s mental wellness, we’re investing in healthier families, stronger communities, and a more emotionally resilient future.

🧠 Let’s break the stigma. 🌱 Let’s speak up for the little ones who can’t yet speak for themselves. 💚 Let’s wear green for growth, healing, and hope.

02/05/2025

01/28/2025

💙

A new study shows that fathers can experience postpartum depression. Here's why and what they can do about it. Tap link in first comment for more information.

12/13/2024

Perfection is not the goal. In fact, being a "good enough" parent is what helps your children thrive.

12/13/2024

✨ "Nurturing the Parent Within" – Your Journey to Emotional Awareness Starts Here! ✨

This full-color journal is the perfect companion for parents looking to grow emotionally and connect more deeply with themselves and their children.

What’s inside?

📝 Guided prompts to explore your thoughts and feelings.
💬 Words of affirmation to uplift and inspire you.
🧘🏽‍♀️ Self-regulation activities to help you find calm in the chaos.
😊 Weekly check-ins to track your growth.
✍🏽 Blank note pages for your reflections.

Parenting is a journey of growth—this journal makes it a little brighter. Available on Amazon for $14.99

Also available in Spanish.

12/13/2024

"Nurturing the Parent Within" is available in Spanish on Amazon for $14.99! (Link in Bio)

A full-color parent journal ✨ designed to help you:

Explore your emotions as a parent.

Foster deeper connections with your child.

Reflect and practice self-care.

It is a beautiful and practical tool to grow alongside your little ones. Get your copy today!

10/30/2024

Routines, incentive systems, and homework tips to help kids succeed. Find out the best time to do homework and more.

10/11/2024

As many as one in five birthing parents struggle with a mental health disorder. Research shows that untreated maternal mental health issues, such as postpartum depression, can lead to significant long-term negative outcomes for both mothers and their children, including developmental delays and emotional difficulties in children.

Dive deeper: https://bit.ly/3MESIj6