Mental Health, Anxiety and Highly Sensitive Children with Jacquie Ward
Release Date: 10/02/2024
You're Not Supposed to Go it Alone
EMpowered
This episode is a personal one about why we’re not meant to do it all, and what happens when we try to keep going without help. Parenting isn’t meant to be a solo act. Especially when life throws in a few curveballs or even just the regular chaos of life. If you’ve ever found yourself losing it with the kids or feeling like you’re juggling too many balls (and dropping a few), this episode is for you. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why knowing all the emotional intelligence tricks is one thing, but actually applying them is a different story. The importance of connection over correction...
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Supporting tweens and teens with Michelle Mitchell
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In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Michelle Mitchell, who’s spent years working with teens, tweens, and their families. Supporting kids at this stage can feel overwhelming, especially when it seems like they’ve got that wall up and are shutting you out. There is so much more going on beneath the surface. Michelle Mitchell is a former teacher turned tween and teenage expert, with years of experience running youth programs, mentoring young people, and supporting families. She’s all about helping adults to see what’s really going on in the hearts and minds of tweens and teens...
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Mental Health, Anxiety and Highly Sensitive Children with Jacquie Ward
EMpowered
In this episode, I’m joined by Jacquie Ward, a psychologist who specialises in child and adolescent mental health. We talk about the realities of mental health in schools, and this conversation doesn't happen nearly enough. If you’ve ever wondered how mental health and anxiety show up in your classroom or why children some children feel things so deeply, then this episode is for you. Jacquie and I talk about: The real signs of mental health struggles in children often get missed. Why the ‘big behaviours’ might be masking anxiety and how to shift your lens to catch it early The...
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Restorative School Cultures with Marg Thorsborne
EMpowered
In this episode, I sit down with Marg Thorsborne, an international consultant specialising in the implementation of restorative and trauma-informed practices. Marg shares her journey from a biology teacher and school guidance officer to becoming a leading expert in creating positive cultural change in schools and workplaces. We dive deep into the principles of restorative practice, the importance of psychological safety, and why building a connected culture is crucial for both students and adults. Connect with Marg: Linkedin: Website: Marg’s new book: Connect with Em Website: ...
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3 Ways Adults and Children Deal with Uncomfortable Emotions
EMpowered
In this episode, I dive into how both children and adults handle and express uncomfortable feelings and why it’s important to understand them, and how to express them in healthy ways. As an emotional intelligence coach, working with both children and adults, I have seen firsthand the impact of understanding and navigating uncomfortable emotions. In this episode, you’ll learn: Three ways both adults and children deal with uncomfortable behaviours. What behaviours can signal emotion suppression and how to recognise these to help us Why someone might respond to emotion with aggression, and...
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The ONE thing that completely changed how I supported children's behaviour
EMpowered
In this episode, I talk about the revelation that completely changed my approach to supporting children's behaviour. In this episode you will learn: What exactly are belief systems, and how they influence your interactions The impact of understanding and changing belief systems on supporting children’s behaviour Why doing the deeper work, beyond surface level strategies is the key factor for lasting change in educators How to change your deep seated beliefs to improve your ability to support children effectively Why is it important to work on yourself for lasting personal and professional...
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Childhood Trauma and the Power of Teachers with Beck Thompson
EMpowered
TW: This episode discusses childhood trauma, and abuse. In this episode, I get the absolute privilege of talking with Beck Thompson. She is absolutely amazing, sharing her journey of resilience, transformation, and empowerment. As a teacher, author, and speaker, she brings a unique perspective shaped by her lived experience of trauma and abuse. We discuss how transformative compassionate teaching can be and the impact educators can have on their students, often without even realising it. This episode is not to highlight the difficulties that some of your students will go through, but how...
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What is Emotion Coaching and How Can it Help us in the Classroom
EMpowered
In this episode, I’m talking about emotional coaching in education and how it can change how children behave and engage in your classroom. Here’s what you’ll learn: How emotion coaching can change your classroom environment What it looks like to be emotionally attuned to your students. How to balance emotional support with setting necessary boundaries. The five steps of emotion coaching and how it can lead to happier, more focused students. Why it’s important to validate and role model emotions in the classroom. If you're looking to improve how you support classroom emotions...
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Why do we find it hard to hold space for kids’ big emotions?
EMpowered
In this episode, I talk about why it's difficult for teachers and parents to sit with children's emotions. I also discuss how self regulation and understanding our beliefs about emotions, influence how we react to children when they express big emotions. Here's what you'll learn: Why your own childhood experiences can make it difficult to handle your children's emotions How understanding your reactions can help you co-regulate effectively with children. How to become more comfortable with the full range of emotions The benefits of embracing, rather than suppressing difficult...
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Why staying 'calm' is never the goal of regulation
EMpowered
In this episode, I redefine what it means to be ‘regulated’. I talk about the misconception that staying calm is the goal of regulation. When children are having big feelings, big emotions, big behaviours in the classroom, our job is not always to stay calm. True regulation is about connection and not just appearing cool, calm and collected. Children KNOW when we aren’t being authentic. What you'll learn: Why connection is more important than staying calm when it comes to supporting children and big emotions. How understanding the real goal of regulation can change the way you...
info_outlineIn this episode, I’m joined by Jacquie Ward, a psychologist who specialises in child and adolescent mental health.
We talk about the realities of mental health in schools, and this conversation doesn't happen nearly enough.
If you’ve ever wondered how mental health and anxiety show up in your classroom or why children some children feel things so deeply, then this episode is for you.
Jacquie and I talk about:
- The real signs of mental health struggles in children often get missed.
- Why the ‘big behaviours’ might be masking anxiety and how to shift your lens to catch it early
- The difference between highly sensitive children and anxiety and how to support these kids without burning yourself out.
- How to catch the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signals that a child is struggling with anxiety, whether they’re acting out or quietly shutting down.
- What does it mean to be highly sensitive, and how is it different from anxiety
- How teachers can adjust their classroom environment to cater to anxious or highly sensitive children without adding more work or stress to your day.
- How to manage anxiety and help children self regulate so the whole classroom can function better.
The way we’ve been taught to support behaviour isn’t working because we are not addressing what’s going on underneath for these children. I am hosting a masterclass with two AMAZING guests leading the way in this space next week.
We’ll show you how you CAN create classrooms where kids feel safe, connected and ready to learn. Grab your ticket here
Resources Mentioned
- Hey Warrior by Karen Young - A brilliant book that breaks down how anxiety shows up in children and what we can do about it
Connect with Jacquie
- Website: jacquieward.com.au
- Instagram: @jacquie_ward_
- Billy’s Brilliant Butterflies - Jacquie’s new children's book
Connect with Em
- Website: emmagentle.com.au
- Instagram: @em_gentle