Anna Howes

01/20/2025

There is still time to register for this week’s training:

Neuro Inclusive Educational Practices

Learn from neurodiverse educators about inclusive practices that redefine what education looks like for everyone.

This 2 hour online realtime training is for educators who want to examine old practices and co-create a new paradigm in which every child can access education through having their unique needs met. Practices taught will emphasize autonomy, authenticity, and flexibility. Some topics covered will include:

Universal Design
Medical Model vs Social Model
Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA)

Thursday, January 23rd from 6 - 8 on Zoom

DM me for a link to register

01/11/2025

Come in!! Opening the doors for my new web page. This winter I will be teaching 8 unique professional development trainings for educators 😃 Each training offers tools and techniques to help teachers in many settings from infant classrooms to high school. As a Northern Lights at The Community College of Vermont sponsor, professional development hours for early educators and afterschool professionals are offered. Check it out >>> https://www.annahowes.com/educational-offerings

12/01/2024

Enjoy this awesome interview! Hear more about my story and learn about some current offerings. And join us for a live somatic practice that can help you get through your day with a little more connection, presence, and ease. 💕

Join Dr. Suzy Harris as she chats with Anna Howes, an early childhood educator, wellness coach, and consultant. Anna provides practical tools and support for...

09/14/2023

Independence… It can feel so scary to our children to step into rolls of responsibility and independence.

What if they screw up? What if they get hurt? What if….?

adult mines are so good at thinking of all the worst case scenarios.

What about the best case scenario?

What if they feel successful? What if they feel proud of themselves? What if they do an amazing job and can’t wait to do it again?

making observations helps us understand what next steps are child might be ready for. Then we can prepare the environment to set them up for success, and allow them to give it a try.

in this photo, I’m just a few steps behind… Being there, just out of the picture, offering support, love, and encouragement. if anything goes wrong, I’ll be there to help. No shame. No judgment. Just a helping hand, a little scaffolding, and a big hug (if he needs/wants one 😊)

09/13/2023

BBF's Families & Communities Committee hosted Anna Howes last month for a training on advocacy and storytelling!

You can find an example of this training recorded here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7iPuwc2u6s

The Families & Communities Committee meetings virtually twice a month. Learn more here: https://buildingbrightfutures.org/vecap/families-communities/

09/13/2023

Day 2 of the Slow Down Your Parenting Challenge is all about making objective observations.

Training ourselves to notice ALL the details is a great way to sink into the present moment and slow down.

Start by making observations in retrospect. Taking a moment to contemplate all aspects of a past experience can support the choices we make in the future.

Think of a sticky moment with your kid.

Now begin to notice some of the details about that situation. Start with these four categories:

#1. Physical space: where did this struggle occur? Who is there?

#2. Child experience: what happened leading up to the struggle? What time of day did this occur? Was there an earlier event that may have caused big emotions?

#3. Body sensations/adults experience: how does your body feel? How did you react physically?

#4. Vibe check: what emotions came up or were expressed? How would you describe the vibe? what kind of energy did you bring?

All the parents signed up for my 5 Days to Slow Down Your Parenting challenge, received an observation journal. A PDF handout that gives some structure to practicing what I call the Scientific Method of Parenting.

It’s incredible to witness the shifts that occur once we begin to make observations, create hypotheses, make adjustments, and find creative solutions!!!!!
🙌🎉✨👍

09/12/2023

I first announced my pregnancy to my family about half way through my second year of college. They were not supportive. They felt I did not have the maturity and security it took to care for a baby. I was only 20 years old, but I had already been very independent for several years and I was determined to do a great job. Wasn’t that enough?

Not in their eyes… Their reaction was to remove the financial support they were providing for me to finish college and withdraw their love and approval. They were trying to force me into making the choice they felt was best for me.

I felt abandoned by my family.

This was a lonely time for me. I pushed through my final year of school (puking with morning sickness most of the time). And in the spring of 1999, I graduated with an associates in Early Childhood Education.

Three months later my son was born.

For years I continued to push through the challenges of parenting. All while trying to prove I was good enough to be a mom.

This left me feeling tired, overwhelmed, and resentful. And I had almost forgotten my commitment to my kid. My own values had faded into the background.

With some trial and error, and many years of practice, I learned to SLOW DOWN.
My son and I grew a very close and trusting relationship! (Side note: I have never threatened him with removing my love and support to get him to do what I want).

And I have built a community with like-minded parents like you, so I don’t feel lonely anymore. 💖

09/07/2023

09/07/2023

The 5 Days to Slow Down Your Parenting Challenge 💖 starts in 3 days.

In this challenge you will get:

✨ a clear understanding of why you want to slow down your parenting

✨ a tool to help you slow down

✨ a trust building exercises

✨ a creative way to create connection

✨a community of like minded parents

Join us today for the opportunity to practice these skills together in real time starting Monday.

You will receive five days of short videos and quick prompts. And a one hour group Q&A family coaching session live on Friday.

Let’s go ➡️ link in bio or comments.

09/04/2023

With the start of the school year and the immanent transition to fall it feels like I am moving in a million different directions. The needs of others are being fired at me from all sides. My kid, my partner, my work, family, everyone needs something from me.

Does this feel familiar to you?

This is called urgency. When everything feels like an emergency, and everything is a priority, but you and your needs are at the bottom of the list. Emotions are running high with huge crashes.

This is not sustainable.

Urgency in our parenting leaves us feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and like we are going to snap.

And I have snapped - more than once. And it feels terrible. Shouting at my children to get out the door on time, barking orders for my kids to blindly follow, stressing over details like “do we have all the back to school supplies”.

The worst part is when I realize that how I am acting doesn’t match my values.

You too?! How did we get here?

We need to remember that rest is resistance. Slowing down is sustainable.

Join my 5 Day Challenge to SLOW DOWN Your Parenting.

08/23/2023

https://www.annahowes.com/blog/barbie?fbclid=IwAR0vHitC8epxiUa9I9PpIWZZNPTtoAuQVOXI8zOVI-qY0XTsdo1EZ4iBJok
New blog post!

On a recent family vacation with my entire family of in-laws, I found myself in a situation that brought up a huge childhood fear. The fear of being left out and shamed for my choice to go against the grain.

08/15/2023