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…
Toddler
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?…
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…
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…
Supporting Your Toddler Through a Meltdown
Understanding toddler meltdowns and tantrums, and knowing how to support your child through the process is important to your child’s development. Toddlerhood: the time for toddler tantrums Toddlerhood is a time when your child’s wild spirit is just beginning to explore and make sense of the world around him. Your child will naturally experience…
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…
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…
Baby Constipation Remedies: Natural Ways to Ease Constipation
It can be scary when your baby is struggling to poop. We’re taking a look at what causes constipation and sharing some safe and effective baby constipation remedies. For every child, there is a range of factors that influence overall health. We’re learning more about how the gut is connected to many other body systems,…
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…
The Summer 2018 Issue of Green Child Magazine
If you live for the whimsical, warm days of summer, you’ll love our new issue! In our Summer 2018 issue, you’ll find healthy recipes, gentle parenting advice, tips for maintaining your holistic health routines while you travel, fun ideas for getting your family outside to enjoy nature, plus our 8th annual Eco Baby Gear Guide….
Babywearing Wraps: Navigating the Learning Curve
Babywearing wrap carries can be intimidating at first. After all, our babies are our most precious cargo. The fear that she isn’t secured properly or could be injured somehow (particularly when dealing with a fragile newborn) is downright scary. But, with enough practice and by finding the answers to your biggest, scariest questions, you can…
How to Create a Wildlife Garden
National Wildlife Federation resident naturalist, David Mizejewski, and his pal, Ranger Rick raccoon, believe that one of the best things a parent can cultivate this Spring is a new wildlife gardener. Today, they’re sharing their top kid-friendly tips for making your own wildlife garden. If you’re looking for fun ideas for celebrating Earth Day with…
Breastfeeding Help: How to Avoid Nipple Confusion
In the early days of breastfeeding, infants can experience nipple confusion if given bottles or pacifiers before they’ve mastered the latching-on and sucking process at the breast. Nipple confusion can even lead to baby refusing the breast. For some babies, nipple confusion is not an issue. They can take the breast, different shaped bottles, and…
Fun Outdoor Winter Activities for the Whole Family
Editor’s note: We’re delighted to welcome back Naturalist David Mizejewski from the National Wildlife Federation and Ranger Rick. Today, he’s sharing outdoor winter activities for the family. If you have young animal lovers, be sure to check out his previous article on observing wildlife safely. It’s no secret that today’s kids are staying indoors more as…
Music to Their Ears: Music Therapy for Children
You know the feeling you get when you listen to one of your favorite songs? Your mood lifts, your body relaxes, and you easily recall happy memories. When you think of it this way, the idea of music therapy makes perfect sense. It turns out, music can do much more for your health – especially when it…
Fewer Toys, More Fun: Why Kids Benefit from Having Fewer Toys
As grown ups, we’re often overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices we have to make in a day. Life is really no different for our children, on their own scale. Kids benefit from having fewer toys, and you can benefit from creating intentional (and minimal) play options for your child. Is it crazy that…
7 Mindful Exercises to Help Tweens Sleep
“If you can cultivate wholesome, mental states prior to sleep and allow them to continue right into sleep without getting distracted, then sleep itself becomes wholesome.” ~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Sleeping, Dreaming, and Dying Children who maintain a regular pattern of quality sleep are generally better able to cope with life’s challenges. They…
