Valentine’s Day social-emotional learning books for kids offer a powerful way to teach empathy, emotional awareness, kindness, and inclusion during February and beyond. While Valentine’s Day is often associated with cards and candy, it also brings big feelings and social challenges for children—making it an ideal time to intentionally focus on SEL and character education at home and in the classroom. Two standout children’s books, In My Heart: A Book of Feelings  by Jo Witek

If you’ve made it this far, you already know two critical truths about children and big emotions: Anger can’t be disciplined away. Children don’t need harsher consequences — they need emotional skills. This realization is often both relieving and overwhelming for parents. Relieving, because it explains why timeouts, lectures, and punishments haven’t worked the way you hoped. Overwhelming, because it raises the next big question: “Okay… but how do I actually teach emotional re

If traditional discipline worked for angry children, you wouldn’t still be searching for answers.   You wouldn’t be typing phrases like “how to discipline an angry child,” “timeouts not working,” or “my child explodes over everything.” You wouldn’t feel the constant tension of waiting for the next outburst — or the guilt that creeps in after you raise your voice, again.   Yet here you are.   Trying to understand what’s really going on. Trying to do better — not just control b

Calm Big Emotions Fast with This Science-Backed SEL Toolkit ============================================================ Includes breathing cards, calm-down scripts, and regulation tools for kids. It’s 4:47 p.m. on a Tuesday. You’re standing in the cereal aisle at Target. Your six-year-old just spotted that cereal—the one with the cartoon character and enough sugar to fuel a small village. You’ve already said no. Multiple times. Calmly. Kindly. But today, something snaps. Bef

Traveling with children can be a rewarding experience, but it also comes with unique challenges. Long car rides, airplane flights, train trips, and waiting times at airports or hotels can test the patience of even the most seasoned parents. Keeping kids entertained while supporting their social and emotional learning (SEL) is key to smooth, enjoyable family adventures. This guide covers practical tips and a variety of games for children of all ages to make every leg of your j

Winter is a season filled with wonder. Snow-covered yards or chilly air, quiet nights, and long evenings naturally invite imagination — especially for children. While many winter books focus on emotions or cooperation, imagination itself is a powerful social-emotional learning (SEL) skill that often gets overlooked. In the final book of our Winter Books for SEL & Character Education series, we explore Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner. This playful, imaginative winter pictu

Winter offers countless opportunities for children to practice working together — whether they are building a snowman, solving a problem, or learning how to share ideas. These moments may seem simple, but they are powerful building blocks for social-emotional learning (SEL) and character education. In new Winter Books for SEL & Character Education series, we focus on The Biggest Snowman Ever by Steven Kroll. This lively winter picture book uses humor, problem-solving, and col

Winter is a season that naturally invites conversations about kindness. As the weather grows colder, children notice when others need help — a friend who feels left out, a sibling who needs support, or an animal seeking warmth. These everyday observations create powerful opportunities for social-emotional learning (SEL) and character education. In our Winter Books for SEL & Character Education series, we continue with The Giving Snowman by Julia Zheng. This gentle winter pict

Winter can be a magical season for children — fresh snow, cozy routines, and time to slow down. But it can also bring changes in schedules, big emotions, and extra energy that children don’t always know how to manage. That’s why winter is an ideal time to intentionally incorporate social-emotional learning (SEL) and character education through books. One of the most powerful winter picture books for SEL is The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. This timeless story may appear simpl

Create a Winter Break Countdown Chain with your family using simple supplies at home. A calming Sunday Family Funday activity for school and homeschool kids before winter break. Why the Last Week Before Winter Break Feels So Big for Kids The final week of school before winter break is a strange mix of excitement, exhaustion, and emotional overload — for kids and parents. Routines are still in place, expectations are still there, but everyone’s energy is running low. Children

Looking for the best family game night idea? Happy Salmon is fast, hilarious, and perfect for all ages. See why this top 2025 family game is a Sunday Funday must! A Quick, High-Energy Game the Whole Family Will Love If your family is looking for a game that brings instant laughter, nonstop movement, and pure joy, Happy Salmon is the perfect choice. Unlike long board games that require strategy or complex rules, Happy Salmon is quick, simple, and wildly fun — making it ideal f

Ease Sunday night anxiety with the Worry Butterflies craft — a calming activity that helps kids release school or homeschool worries before a new week begins. A Calm, Gentle Reset Before the Week Begins The Sunday after Thanksgiving carries a special kind of energy. Families have spent the week gathering, celebrating, cooking, and stepping away from their normal routines. The house feels warm and full — yet as Sunday night approaches, the upcoming Monday begins creeping back

Get moving with a Family Dance Party Night! 💃🕺 Dress up, create a playlist together, decorate, and dance the night away with snacks, laughter, and fun. When the weather cools down, there’s no better way to warm up than with music, laughter, and movement. This week’s Sunday Family Funday is all about turning your living room into a dance floor!   Hosting a Family Dance Party Night is easy, fun, and a great way to connect through creativity. Everyone contributes — from pickin

Go on a fall adventure with an Alphabet & Number Photo Hunt! A creative outdoor activity that builds learning, movement, and family connection. Fall is the perfect time to head outdoors — the weather is crisp, the colors are warm, and nature feels alive with inspiration. This week’s Sunday Family Funday Outdoor Adventure invites families to combine creativity, learning, and exploration with a simple but exciting challenge: the Alphabet & Number Photo Hunt!   In this fun, educ

Make Sunday special with an Apple Nachos Bar! A fun, hands-on fall recipe kids love, plus a caramelized apple twist for extra family flavor.  Fall is the season of apples — from orchard trips to caramel-dipped treats, it’s a time when families can truly savor the flavors of the season together. But sometimes, you don’t need a full day trip or a complicated recipe to make memories. That’s where the Apple Nachos Bar comes in.   This week’s Sunday Family Funday Cooking Together

Explore how non-traditional learning empowers families to use everyday experiences as education. From life skills to community spaces, discover why this approach is growing. Education doesn’t have to happen only within four classroom walls. For many families, learning thrives in parks, kitchens, libraries, and even through travel. That’s exactly what Momudaughter Blog highlights in their powerful post, Non-Traditional Learning. Recently featured on FOX13 News, this story shed

Turn your backyard into a camping adventure! Fun activities, age-friendly variations, and a printable checklist for your Sunday Family Funday. When the crisp fall air rolls in and the evenings grow cooler, families often look for ways to enjoy the outdoors without the hassle of packing up the car or traveling far. That’s why backyard camping nights are becoming such a favorite tradition. They combine the best of both worlds: the excitement of camping under the stars and the c

Discover why character education must go beyond rules to nurture grit. Learn how parents, homeschool families, and teachers can cultivate perseverance, resilience, and responsibility with practical strategies, real-life examples, and character-building activities. Rules Alone Aren’t Enough   Parents, homeschool families, and teachers all want the same thing: to raise children who are kind, responsible, and successful in life. For generations, character education often meant f

Discover why Codenames is one of the best family games for Sunday Family Funday. Fun, fast-paced, and adaptable for all ages with multiple versions! Looking for a game that sparks laughter, creativity, and teamwork? Codenames is one of the most popular word-based party games of the last decade — and for good reason. It’s simple to learn, endlessly replayable, and works just as well for a family of four as it does for a big group at a holiday gathering. Whether you’re raising

Homeschooling in Florida is booming—up 46% in five years. Learn about 2025 trends, school choice programs (PEP, Step Up, VELA), co-ops, microschools, enrichment resources, and why homeschool expos connect families statewide. Florida’s Homeschool Surge Homeschooling in Florida is no longer a niche option. It has become one of the fastest-growing education choices in the country. Over the past five years, the number of homeschooled students in Florida has grown by 46 percent, w