I Statements and Communication Skills

Here are some helpful resources I've found for using in family sessions regarding utilizing I Statements and increasing communication skills:
Advocates for Youth: Using "I" Statements
Learning to Give: I, You, The World 

Image Courtesy of The Usual Error Project

Talking With Children About Cancer

Good info from NASW about talking with children about cancer:
http://www.socialworkblog.org/nasw-news-article/2011/12/talking-with-kids-about-cancer/

Free Printable Behavioral Charts

This web site (Free Printable Behavior Charts) has a TON of great resources for behavioral charts of all kinds! 

Image courtesy of clipartpal

In my practice, I tend to lean more toward rewarding positive/desired behaviors rather than punishing for negative behaviors. Many of my clients are not responsive to punishment, have been so punished for so long it is no longer effective, or don't have many privileges/resources to be taken away. 


In my experience, most children respond much more effectively to positive reinforcement of positive behaviors, rather than punishment of negative behaviors. This web site seems to lean more toward the positive, which I really like! 


Children are also more likely to respond when they are involved in the process, so I like the idea that many of these behavior charts are interactive; children can either participate by coloring progress along the chart, earn "Behavior Bucks" which can lead to a reward, etc. Keep in mind rewards don't always have to be monetary/physical objects...rewards can include things like family trips to the park, extra play time outside, have a friend over, movie night, etc.

Activities for Kids at Home

It's summer time, and many of the parents I work with have been claiming exhaustion and lack of ideas for what to do with their kids all day. 
I've looked up various resources, and found the following links helpful.
http://kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&ps=307&cat_id=120&article_set=20262
http://www.crayola.com/crafts/
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/
http://planningwithkids.com/2010/03/30/10-activities-to-do-at-home-with-the-kids/

Building Strong Families Positive Discipline Participant Workbook (Parenting)

Workbook discussing discpipline for parents from University of Missouri Extension.
Link to PDF:http://extension.missouri.edu/bsf/discipline/PositiveDiscWorkBook.pdf

Creative Family Therapy Techniques

Creative Family Therapy Techniques: Play and Art-Based Activities to Assess and Treat Families  Here are some great Great Family Therapy Ideas from Liana Lowenstein and Trudy Post Sprunk
I'll be trying the Boat-Storm-Lighthouse activity today, I'll try to remember to update this post with how it went!