Play Therapy with Julie Thigpen

01/06/2026

Speaker series for parents and educators@VillaMontEducationalConsulting

01/06/2026

GoZen: Anxiety Relief for Children ❤️

01/06/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1C7ViUp8rk/

12/12/2025

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These are among the most important things I put on my to-do list. ❤️

12/12/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bxj2iXXpb/

12/10/2025

This is an important point...
Screen time is an issue, for children and adults!

Most adults have heard and can find evidence children a spending a lot of time in front of screens. BUT, isn't just kids that need to reduce the time spent with screens. Studies show the amount of time parents spend on devices is also greatly affecting children in multiple ways.
Children learn from those around them and what and how they learn is greatly affected when face to face time is reduced by 'screen time,' spending time on shared activities, that engage both parent and child, that include time in relationship, communicating or working/ playing together face to face sharing an experience is crucial to social emotional health.

⚠️ So, put down the devices! Play, talk, cook, read, laugh, learn, create, read, make memories DOING THINGS WITH YOUR CHILDREN! Heck, even being bored can be meaningful & important if experienced TOGETHER. Your child may not say it directly, but they not only want your attention, AND MOR IMPORTANTLY, their brains need it to grow and develop!

Too many parents are on their phones when they would be better putting in quality time with their children.

12/10/2025

As adults interact with kids, they share views and create new knowledge. So what happens if screens take over that interaction?

12/10/2025

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When we model the qualities we want in our kids, we give them the best tools to navigate their own world 💛

11/02/2025

At eight, feelings start to grow faster than the brain can keep up.
Children are beginning to notice fairness, friendship dynamics, and their own internal world — but their emotional regulation skills are still under construction.

What you see as mood swings or overreactions are often signs of a brain learning to manage new complexity.
They don’t need to be told to calm down — they need calm to borrow from.

FOLLOW to see the whole series with a range of ages.

Explore Managing Big Feelings: The Toolkit for Parents & Educators — practical, brain-based support to help children build emotional understanding and resilience through these growing years. Link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

11/02/2025

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Dear grown-ups who love children,

In a world that measures so much by numbers—grades, scores, likes, ranks—it’s easy to forget what can’t be measured. No number can capture a child’s kindness, their spark of creativity, or the way their heart lights up when they help someone else. These are the things that make each child priceless.

As we all nurture learning and growth, let’s remember that numbers are just tools—not truths. They tell us something, but not everything. Every child is a story still being written, full of mystery, potential, and heart. 🌟

✨Volunteer with us by signing up here: https://bit.ly/47FZhxA

10/28/2025

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There are moments in parenting when you wish you could take their pain away with just a hug.
You see the heaviness in their little shoulders, the way their eyes avoid yours, and you know — something has hurt them.

Sometimes, it’s a problem you can fix.
Other times, it’s simply your job to sit with them in it… to let them know that even in their saddest moments, they are never alone.

And in that quiet space, you hope they feel it —
that unshakable truth that no matter how big the world gets,
they will always have a safe place in your arms,
and a love that will never let go. 💛

10/24/2025

🌱 When Children Lie: Connection Before Correction 🌱

When a child lies, it’s easy to feel frustrated or disappointed — but lying isn’t usually about being “bad.” It’s communicatiion. A signal that something inside needs safety or understanding.

💭 Why children lie:
• To avoid trouble or shame
• To protect themselves or someone they care about
• To meet a need — one they’re afraid won’t be met
• To hold on to a bit of control, or a sense of security
• Because they fear losing connection

Lying is developmental, not a moral flaw. Kids are still learning how honesty, safety, and relationships fit together.

✨ Instead of focusing on the lie, focus on why they needed to tell it.
Ask yourself: “What might my child be afraid of right now?”

❤️ When children feel seen and understood, honesty becomes safer.
Connection builds trust — and trust grows truth. 💛

Read more here:
https://bonnieharris.com/why-kids-lie-and-how-to-handle-it/?fbclid=IwdGRjcANokThjbGNrA2hmEGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEeNX3whSNrqf33i9riUJXbeTskm_HyX2lS0m2fnAZccNHUcT8dlBhkFqSL5ro_aem_9PJEckzMMqTuG0XIoWNZFg

Why DO kids lie? It's pretty straightforward but anything but obvious. Here's the break down on why kids lie and what you can do about it.