Welcome to our resource hub for Professionals and Educators. Here, you’ll find articles that offer insights, strategies, and actionable advice to support children’s emotional well-being and resilience. Explore them to see how the Hand in Hand Tools can make a meaningful difference in your professional life.
Understanding the lasting effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is crucial for professionals in mental health, education, and healthcare. The ARC Framework, alongside Hand in Hand’s practical tools, offers a comprehensive, healing-centered approach to help children thrive by strengthening attachment, regulation, and competence.
 Read the full article “Hand in Hand Parenting as a Healing-Centered Caregiving Practice” to discover how you can make a difference in a child’s life with these proven strategies.
Responding to a child’s tears and tantrums can be challenging, especially when they erupt at the most inconvenient times. However, understanding the benefits of crying and the power of StayListening can transform these moments into opportunities for connection and healing. Crying helps release stress and strengthens parent-child bonds, while StayListening supports emotional healing and recovery and fosters emotional resilience.
 Read the full article The Science Behind the Hand in Hand Parenting Tool “Staylistening” for insights and practical strategies.
Interpersonal neurobiology reveals how our relationships and past experiences shape our brains and interactions, particularly in parenting.
Understanding trauma and its effects can transform how we support our children and ourselves. Whether it’s a fleeting fright or a significant emotional wound, early experiences impact how we respond in the present. Healing from these traumas involves acknowledging and processing stored emotions with the help of empathetic listeners.
 Explore how Listening Partnerships can help one navigate and heal from past traumas, leading to more loving and present interactions. Read the full article Relational Trauma, Neuroplasticity, and Tools for Parents for a deeper look into these transformative practices.
Supporting fellow parents through tough times can make a world of difference, especially during stressful times.
At a NAEYC Conference, Patty Wipfler, founder of Hand in Hand, and Shelley Macy MA, instructor of Early Childhood Education at Northwest Indian College, discussed ways to help families manage stress.
 Read the full article NAEYC Presentation “Helping Families with Stress” for more insights.
Are you seeking innovative methods to support anxious children in your practice or classroom? Dramatic play can be a powerful tool to address high anxiety and build resilience. Explore three effective games—Security Duck, I Can’t Watch, and Coast is Clear…or Is It?—that use humor and role reversal to help children confront and manage their fears.
 Explore the full article “Playing with Anxiety”, guest author Dr. Lawrence Cohen to discover how these techniques can enhance your therapeutic approach and provide actionable strategies for easing childhood anxiety.
Discover how warmth and playful limits can transform student behavior, the power of listening to re-engage off-track students, and the impact of even brief moments of connection. Learn how Special Time can uplift students struggling with anxiety and self-esteem, and how helping children express their feelings can foster change.
 Dive into the full article Bring Connection Into The Classroom to explore these practical lessons and enhance your classroom practice with connection-based strategies.
Childhood trauma profoundly affects students’ behavior and learning. By incorporating trauma-informed responses into the classroom, a supportive environment that fosters connection and resilience can be created. Discover how simple, everyday actions can make a significant difference in students’ emotional well-being and engagement.
 Explore the full article Trauma-Informed Responses Help You Connect With Kids In Your Classroom to learn how to effectively implement these strategies and enhance your classroom dynamics.
Discover our “Back to School Support Pack for Educators,” designed to ease the transition back to school for students, parents, and teachers. This collection of Tools and printables helps respond to emotions and build strong connections, whether at home or in the classroom. Share these resources with families and colleagues to create a smooth and supportive start to the school year.
