KC PCIT

12/16/2025

12/10/2025

* Keep routines when possible
Predictability helps kids feel grounded during busy days.
* Watch for early signs of overload
Clinginess, irritability, zoning out, or sudden meltdowns can be signals they need a break.
* Build in quiet breaks
A calm space, a short walk, or time alone with a parent can help kids reset.
* Prepare kids ahead of time
Let them know what to expect at gatherings, how long things will last, and what the plan is if they need help.
* Connect before you correct

The holidays don’t have to be perfect—they just need to feel safe, connected, and manageable for your child.

You’re doing great. 💛

12/04/2025

When is my child most likely to reach for a screen? (Bored? Lonely? Tired?)
How does their mood change before and after screen use?
What family moments could we reclaim — even 20 minutes — without devices?
Small, consistent shifts can make a big difference.

Try one:
Add a 15-minute “tech pause” after school before turning on a screen.
Keep physical books or art supplies in easy reach.
End the day with movement or outdoor time instead of scrolling.

If you missed it, catch the original article on Sweden’s approach here:
https://www.afterbabel.com/p/sweden-went-all-in-on-screens-in-childhood
At KC PCIT, we help families find balance in a tech-heavy world — supporting focus, calm, and connection. 💛

12/01/2025

Here are a few small shifts families can try:
✨ Make one “screen-free zone” — like bedrooms or dinner time.
✨ Lead by example: talk about what you use your phone for and why.
✨ Trade screen time for “green time” — play, walks, or reading together.

📖 Read the full article by Linda Åkeson McGurk:
🔗 https://www.afterbabel.com/p/sweden-went-all-in-on-screens-in-childhood

At KC PCIT, we help families build healthier tech habits and support emotional growth in the digital age. 💛

11/25/2025

✨ Here’s what studies tell us: about gratitude:
• Boosts emotional resilience: Kids who practice gratitude show fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Strengthens relationships: Gratitude helps children feel more connected, cooperative, and empathetic.
• Improves focus + mood: Regular gratitude exercises activate brain areas linked to positive emotions and attention.
• Supports long-term well-being: Even small habits—like naming 3 good things—create lasting shifts in how kids handle challenges.
🧠 Gratitude doesn’t have to be big. It’s built in everyday moments: a warm breakfast, a funny joke, a friend who sits with them at lunch.

Practice gratitude to help kids grow strong minds + full hearts.

11/19/2025

11/13/2025

1. Ask open-ended questions: “What would you do if that happened to you?” or “How do you think they felt?”
2. Name the feelings: Help your child label emotions in the story — and in real life.
3. Relate to real-life experiences: “Remember when you felt nervous about school? How is that like the character?”
4. Model coping strategies: Talk about how the character handled the problem and brainstorm alternative ways together.
5. Normalize emotions: Let your child know it’s okay to feel upset, worried, or sad — and that these feelings pass.

Reading isn’t just fun — it’s a tool to help kids build emotional skills, resilience, and confidence.

11/07/2025

When we remove guilt, labels, and body talk from food conversations, kids learn that all bodies—and all foods—can be part of a healthy, happy life.

A great resource for information on healthy body talk is WithAll.Org - check them out!

11/04/2025

Children start forming ideas about their bodies much earlier than most parents realize — often as young as preschool! As caregivers, we have a powerful role in shaping how kids see and care for themselves.
Here are a few ways to nurture positive body image at home:
💬 Model body respect: Speak kindly about your own body and avoid negative self-talk.
🍎 Focus on function, not appearance: Highlight what bodies can do — “Your legs help you run fast!”
🎨 Celebrate diversity: Read books and show media that reflect all body shapes, sizes, and abilities.
❤️ Encourage self-care: Teach kids that taking care of their bodies (rest, movement, nourishment) is an act of kindness, not perfection.
Every child deserves to feel confident and comfortable in their own skin. 🌈