You don’t really need a study to tell you this, but it’s worth noting the science behind our intuitive guess that kids who spend more time in nature become happier adults. A new study out of Denmark found that living near and spending time in nature is measurably better for your mental health, both short…
Preschooler
Positive Parenting: Stop negative self-talk with this three-letter word
It can be hard to watch our children struggle, especially when they resort to negative self-talk. By supporting them through it – but not solving their problems for them, we can help build their confidence and resilience. Here’s a strategy that involves a simple, three-letter word to help. “I can’t do this.” “This is so…
EMF Protection: How to help your child use devices safely
Is the issue of EMF protection new to you? You’re not alone. I never gave electromagnetic radiation much thought until I became pregnant with my daughter. Her father asked me to use my cell phone less, just as a precaution…. And I started to do some research. Honestly, I felt a bit like Alice falling…
Guided Meditation Script: Morning Meditation on Kindness & Helpfulness
In this guided meditation script for kids, we’ll use a gentle morning meditation on kindness and helpfulness to help start your child’s day positively. Read the script (right here or scroll down for a printable version) in a calm, relaxed voice and follow your child’s cues for the pace. Guided meditation scripts like the ones…
Gentle Discipline: How Positive Time-Outs Could Change Your Child’s Behavior
Making time-outs positive is one way to bring positive discipline into your daily routine. What is a Time-Out? First thing first – we’re rethinking what the discipline term “time-out” has come to mean in modern parenting. Time-outs have an important and effective role. A time-out is a chance for both children and parents to…
Free Range Summer: Letting Kids Be Kids
“Free range” is a term we generally use when talking about healthier animal treatment… not when discussing our upcoming summer plans. But when the broad definition means “to roam freely instead of being contained,” I think the concept of free range summers fits rather beautifully. Have you ever watched a child walk through a forest?…
Simple Tips for Setting Effective Screen Time Limits
Wondering how to set effective screen time limits for your child? You’re not alone. As we become increasingly bombarded by and dependent upon technology, it’s hard to know when to limit screen time. Many schools have replaced textbooks with tablets, so your child may be spending 6+ hours on a screen without any of it…
Guided Meditation Script: Loving Your Body
Encourage a positive body image for your child with this guided meditation script. Babies are born loving their bodies. Unfortunately, our culture’s influence can make us think we’re never good enough. But you can help instill a lifelong body image relationship in your child by setting a good example at home and by giving them…
I Don’t Want to Be the Mom Who Yells
Editor’s note: We’re delighted to welcome Carolina King as a new contributor to Green Child. As a mother of two, she’ll be sharing her advice on gentle parenting and positive discipline. Enjoy her first article on how to discipline without yelling. It was early in the morning. My kids were getting ready for school, moving…
Brain-Based Learning: What it is and how to apply it
Brain-based learning is a philosophy that uses neuroscience, psychology, and education to holistically support the learning process. You’ll find out how to use it to enhance your child’s learning at school or home. Being in education for more than 15 years, I have long learned to appreciate the idea of brain-based learning. It is simply a…
35 Activities to Treasure While Your Child Is Still Little
The first few years we have with our children can be so busy (and sometimes so overwhelming) that we might not find ourselves thinking about all the things we want to do before they start school. Sometimes we feel like we’re barely making it through the day. You know that bit of parenting wisdom, “The…
7 Ways to Help Environmentally Sensitive Children Thrive
One of the many side effects of pollution and modern technology is the rise in the number of environmentally sensitive children. As we strive toward finding ways to protect and keep the environment clean and safe, the health of our world’s children should be at the top of our priority list. Contaminants are found everywhere in…
Guided Relaxation: Visualizing the New Year
A new year brings a new start. It’s also the ideal time to use guided relaxation techniques to help your child set an intention for the New Year. These peaceful guided relaxation scripts are written by Mellisa Dormoy of ShambalaKids. Her meditation audios help children and teens relieve stress and anxiety, improve self-esteem, feel great (mind, body, and spirit) and…
Guided Meditation Script: Happiness Factory
When you read a guided meditation for happiness aloud to your child, you can help him get in touch with feelings of contentment and joy. These peaceful guided meditation scripts are written especially for Green Child readers by Mellisa Dormoy of ShambalaKids. Her meditation audios help kids and teens relieve anxiety, build self-esteem, and develop…
Our Holiday Green Gift Guide: Green Gifts for Kids
When it comes to green gifts for little kids, most preschoolers and young children are pretty easy to please. They haven’t been as influenced by friends and the media as older kids, so pretty much any form of building blocks, dolls, art supplies, or games will be a big hit. Trying to find non-toxic or…
Healthy School Lunch Ideas: 21 Simple & Healthy Kid Lunches
One of our favorite annual features of Green Child’s digital magazine – the Back to School Lunch & Gear Guide always helps us get back into the swing of packing healthy lunches. Even after 8 years, we enjoy the challenge of coming up with new healthy school lunch ideas. It is important that kids eat well…
Worldschooling: Why Education is too Important to leave to Schools
Those of us who are interested in more natural ways of parenting often also question traditional schooling methods. This is why, in recent years, alternative education philosophies have become so popular. Worldschooling is a life style that allows children to learn from the world around them and usually involves travel. Like our family, a growing…
Gentle Parenting: How to Raise a Resilient Child
Being resilient means being able to handle things that don’t work out ideally and having the ability to find creative solutions to problems. When you raise a resilient child, she’ll be better equipped to bounce back from emotional hurts and cope with failure. In short, being resilient is about surviving life’s adversities. How does this…
Childhood Anxiety: Diagnosis & Natural Treatment of Anxiety in Children
Childhood should be a time of happiness and laughter. Unfortunately, we live in a world where even young children experience incapacitating fears that rob them of joy and playfulness. Childhood anxiety is not just being a little bit nervous on the first day of school. It is extreme fear and constant worries even about minor…
Free Guided Meditation and Relaxation Scripts for Kids
Our Guided Meditation Scripts are extremely popular among our readers. They’ve been part of each issue of our digital magazine since the early days. You’ll also find all of our guided meditation scripts for kids on our website over the years. We’ve put them all in one place so you don’t have to search or flip…
The Back to School Pillars of Health: Nutrition, Routine, and Immune Support
Your child’s health is just as important as her education. In my experience as an integrative, holistic pediatrician, I’ve found that nutrition, routine, and immune support are three key ways to keep kids healthy and thriving throughout their school year. Most children face some kind of challenge with any change or transition to a new schedule….
Green & Healthy Back to School Tips & Hacks
A green and healthy Back to School season is easier (and in many cases cheaper) than you might think. Here’s an essential roundup of our favorite healthy Back to School resources & articles from Green Child and around the web… For many parents, a new school year signifies the passing of time far more…
Positive Parenting: Building a Great Relationship with Your Child
Want to be a great parent? Want to raise a happy, healthy, well-behaved kid? Want to live in a home where discipline becomes unnecessary? The secret is to this happy scenario is building a great relationship with your child. “What do you mean? Of course I love my kid, and I tell him so all…
Green Child Talks With Oak Meadow Homeschoolers: The Kluver Family
One of the best parts of homeschooling is the fact that your child can have a tailor-made learning experience that can be altogether lacking in a public school setting. Whether a child needs to be better challenged, would benefit from a non-traditional setting, or finds classwork or the daily routine to be a struggle, homeschooling…
