Strategies for Connections
The idea behind TEACH is to identify tiny, easy, attractive behaviors in each major area and to gradually build on the behaviors that are most helpful to you. We offer a variety of strategies to help you generate ideas. At the beginning of every day, look over our suggestions until you find something that is appealing or until you have an idea of a small behavior you want to practice that day.
1. Connecting with Powers Greater Than Self
Becoming more spiritual or establishing connections with powers more significant than yourself fosters a sense of belonging and adds meaning and purpose to life. This connection can provide comfort during challenges, enhance resilience, and inspire personal growth, leading to a deeper understanding of oneself and a more profound appreciation for the world.
Spend 5 minutes sitting in a quiet space, close your eyes, and focus on your breath.
Take a 10-minute walk outside, paying close attention to the sights, sounds, and smells around you. Pause to observe a tree, flower, or the sky.
Set aside 5 minutes each morning or evening to speak aloud or silently ask for guidance, express gratitude, or offer your concerns.
Every evening, write down three things you’re grateful for, no matter how small. Reflect on why each one is meaningful.
Perform one small act of kindness each day, such as holding the door for someone, offering a compliment, or helping a neighbor.
Listen to a 10-minute podcast or read a chapter from a spiritual book or an uplifting article daily.
Light a candle and sit quietly for 3-5 minutes, setting an intention for your day or evening. Use this moment as a sacred pause for reflection.
Write down your thoughts in a journal for five minutes. You could reflect on your day, write down your feelings, or ask questions about your spiritual journey.
Dedicate 10 minutes to a creative activity, such as journaling, drawing, dancing, or writing a short poem, without worrying about the outcome.
2. Connecting with Yourself
Establishing a strong connection with yourself is essential for self-awareness and personal growth. It fosters understanding of your emotions, values, and desires, improving decision-making and resilience. This connection enhances self-acceptance and confidence, ultimately paving the way for healthier relationships and a more fulfilling life experience.
Allow yourself to receive loving kindness and well-wishes. You deserve well wishes for happiness, health, safety, and ease.
If you can't say “I Love You” to yourself every morning, think about this and try to say something nice to yourself.
Practice self-compassion. You are human. Tell yourself it is okay not to be perfect, and forgive yourself for your flaws and faults. When you make a mistake, talk to yourself like you would a good friend you care about.
Practice mindfulness to become more aware of your thoughts and feelings. Spend a few minutes daily focusing on your breath or observing your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Write down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This can help you process emotions and gain insights into your inner self.
Set your Intentions to practice new ways of thinking about yourself. Take time for self-reflection. Ask yourself questions about your values, goals, and what truly matters to you.
Spend time in nature to recharge and connect with your surroundings. Nature can provide clarity and peace.
Engage in creative activities such as painting, music, or writing. Expressing yourself creatively can help you tap into your emotions.
Learn to say no and create boundaries in your relationships. Protecting your time and energy allows you to focus on yourself.
Note things you are grateful for regularly. This practice can shift your focus toward the positive aspects of your life and enhance your self-connection.
Engage in regular exercise. Physical movement can improve your mood, reduce joint and muscle pain, and help you feel more connected to your body.
Practice periods of silence. Spend time alone to recharge and reflect. Solitude can help you better understand your inner thoughts and feelings.
Try new hobbies or activities that interest you. This can help you discover new aspects of yourself and what you enjoy.
3. Partner or Spouse
Establishing strong connections with your partner or spouse is essential for a healthy relationship. It fosters trust, intimacy, and effective communication, allowing both individuals to feel valued and understood. These connections enhance emotional support, deepen love, and promote resilience, ultimately strengthening the partnership and contributing to long-term happiness.
Action Steps:
Compliment your partner at least one time every day; it can be tiny; just notice and comment on something positive.
Talk about your feelings, thoughts, and daily experiences to increase communication.
Practice attentive listening by focusing entirely on understanding how your partner feels and what they want you to know. To test your listening skills, repeat your understanding of their message and ask them to rate you on a scale from 1 to 10. You might ask what you missed if you score below 8 or 9. Be a better active listener (keep quiet, listen).
Respond thoughtfully if your partner initiates a conversation or bids for your attention. This shows that you value your partner’s thoughts and feelings. Always respond, and never leave them hanging.
Show love through physical touch, kind words, and small gestures, and regularly express appreciation for your partner.
Be there for each other, especially during tough times. Show up mindfully with complete attention and w/out judgment if your partner is struggling or suffering.
Share your fears, dreams, and insecurities with your partner; vulnerability can deepen intimacy.
Ask for a date night to keep the romance alive. This can be as simple as a dinner at home, a weekend breakfast date, or a night out, a designated time to get together each week to talk/catch up.
Take a class, learn a new skill, or start a hobby you can do together. Try a dance class or yoga; learning something new can bring you closer as you share the experience.
Use Loving speech with statements like:
I suffer when you suffer (shows that you are committed and that you care)
You are partly right. There are always two sides to every conflict; this statement recognizes that everyone has a right to their own view.
This is a happy moment. It helps establish that you are not resentful or unhappy to be with them and want to resolve any conflict.
Try something new together, a trip, or a retreat to spend quality time together.
Discuss and set future goals together
Set aside time for each other without distractions
Establish daily or weekly rituals, such as morning coffee together or evening walks, to create consistent opportunities for connection.
Allow yourself to be vulnerable, tell a story, or share your fears, dreams, and insecurities with your partner; vulnerability can deepen intimacy and foster trust
Set appropriate boundaries with family or friends, and be careful how you present your partner to anyone outside of your relationship, especially those more loyal to you. Keep others out of personal issues if possible
Explore your childhood insecurities and any problems affecting your relationship, i.e., people pleasing or hiding who you really are, as well as other coping habits that started early in life. (think about these or, better yet, schedule a meeting with a therapist)
Look carefully at any addictions and make a plan to get your cravings/desires under control
Look carefully at past traumas and consider therapy
4. Connecting with Children
Action Steps for Connections with Children: Healthy, positive connections with your children are crucial for their emotional and social development. Strong relationships foster trust, open communication, and a sense of security. These connections encourage children to express themselves, build confidence, and develop healthy coping mechanisms, ultimately shaping their future relationships and overall well-being.
Spend dedicated time together, engaging in activities your children enjoy, and aim for twenty minutes of quality time daily. This could be playing games, reading, or exploring nature
Keep an open mind about what might be happening in your child’s life; ask don’t assume you know how they are doing.
Stay calm, and keep your cool when the kids are pushing boundaries.
Be Fully Present, Put away distractions, and fully engage during interactions.
Use praise and positive reinforcement more often
Show affection. Use hugs, praises, and kind words to express love and support.
Celebrate your child’s achievements and efforts, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement boosts self-esteem and strengthens relationships.
Engage in hobbies or interests together, whether cooking, crafting, or playing sports. Shared experiences can foster a deeper bond.
Show genuine interest in what your child has to say. Listen attentively without interrupting, and validate their feelings and thoughts.
Be patient, and allow space for your child to express themselves without judgment.
Join them in games or hobbies to bond through fun.
Model or engage in the behaviors you want your child to develop twenty minutes of quality time with your children daily.
13. Do not argue with children.
14. Encourage Independence and support their interests and decisions while being available for guidance.
15. Establish family traditions or rituals that foster connection.
16. Establish consistent routines, such as family dinners, bedtime or morning rituals, providing security and togetherness.
17. Listen attentively to your child’s thoughts and feelings without interruption. Encourage open and honest conversations.
18. Create a safe space where your child feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and emotions
19. Don’t let the children get caught in the middle when parents disagree or fight.
20. Encourage honest conversations and share your own experiences.
21. Make sure your needs are being met; you can’t care for others if you are exausted.
22. Share your ideas with others and learn as you go.23. Try to understand the purpose or function of your child’s behavior.
23. Practice Empathy: Try to understand their perspective, especially during challenging times. Demonstrate understanding and compassion in your interactions.
24. Put away devices during family time to ensure your full attention is on each other, fostering more profound connections.
25. Incorporate fun and playfulness into your interactions. Humor and playful activities can enhance your bond and create lasting memories.
26. Express your love and support regularly. Let your child know your love is not conditional on their behavior or achievements.
27. Recognize their hard work and effort even if they fail to achieve the desired level.
5. Help Your Child Develop Executive Skills:
Pick one area your child struggles with and help them learn these essential skills.
Attention:
Slow down when you are going too fast to help you focus on what is happening.
2. Stop and think about what lies ahead rather than reacting impulsively.
Listen and sustain Attention.
Practice mindfulness exercises to enhance your ability to concentrate.
Create a quiet and organized environment for learning and activities.
Break tasks into smaller, manageable segments to maintain engagement.
Tailor activities to align with your child’s interests to capture Attention.
Incorporate charts, pictures, or videos to make learning more engaging.
Involve children in discussions and hands-on activities to keep them engaged.
Reward-focused behavior with praise or small incentives to encourage Attention.
Demonstrate positive attention habits by being attentive during interactions.
Teach children to slow down when they are going too fast (self-control).
Organization:
Encourage regular cleaning and organizing of their space to reduce distractions.
2. Give children age-appropriate responsibilities to foster accountability for their belongings.
Help children learn to keep toys and possessions organized
Create consistent routines so that kids can anticipate
Establish daily schedules for homework, chores, and leisure activities to foster consistency.
Implement charts, calendars, or color-coded folders to help them visualize tasks and deadlines.
Teach children to divide larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
Create a quiet, organized space specifically for studying and homework.
Use timers or alarms to help children manage their time effectively during tasks.
Equip them with planners, lists, or apps to track assignments and responsibilities.
Demonstrate organizational skills in your tasks to provide a practical example.
Acknowledge and reward your child’s organizational efforts to motivate and reinforce positive habits, such as putting things away and putting them back in their place.
Planning:
Encourage painting, drawing, writing, coloring, or creative arts that involve planning.
Help children think ahead about needed materials, timing, sequencing, finalizing, and making a display of their creations.
Make a list to help remember things to get or do
Help children define specific, achievable goals for tasks or projects they want to complete
Introduce planners, calendars, or digital apps to help them organize their schedules and responsibilities.
Show them how to divide larger projects into smaller, manageable steps with deadlines.s
Help them develop checklists for daily tasks or project steps to track progress.
Encourage consistent daily schedules that incorporate time for homework, chores, and leisure activities.
Discuss the importance of allocating time for each task, using timers or alarms for reminders.s
After completing a task, ask them to reflect on what worked well and what they could improve next time.
Share your planning processes, demonstrating how you organize your tasks and manage your time.e
Include children in family discussions about scheduling activities, encouraging them to contribute ideas.
Acknowledge their planning successes to boost confidence and reinforce the importance of effective planning, drawing, writing, coloring, or creative arts, which all involve planning.
Thinking ahead about needed materials, timing sequencing, finalizing, and display
Making a list to help remember things to get or do
Time Management
Establish routines involving getting up and dressed and getting to bed on time.
Use timers to help children stay on track and develop a sense of urgency without overwhelming them.
Teach children to stop playing games (when requested) and to honor time limits on-screen activities.
Prioritize waking up on time.
Help children set specific, achievable goals and timelines
Break larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps and encourage children to focus on one step at a time
Create a visual calendar outlining daily activities, homework, and deadlines. Color-code different subjects or activities to make it more engaging
Encourage a consistent daily routine that includes time for homework, chores, and leisure activities. Routines help children understand the flow of their day and anticipate what comes next
Show children how to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. Use tools like to-do lists, where they can mark tasks by priority levels.
Encourage children to allocate specific amounts of time for each task.
Teach children to take short breaks between tasks to recharge. This can improve focus and productivity when they return to their work.
Demonstrate time management skills. Share how you plan your day, set priorities, and handle tasks, which can provide a practical example for them to follow.
Introduce age-appropriate apps or tools that can help them manage tasks and schedules.
Many educational tools have built-in reminders and organizational features.
After completing tasks, encourage children to reflect on what worked well and what didn't. Then, discuss how they can adjust their approach next time for better results.
Acknowledge and celebrate their successes in managing time effectively. Positive reinforcement can motivate them to continue developing these skills.
Stopping games when requested, honoring time limits on screen activities
Flexibility:
Present children with scenarios that require them to think creatively and develop multiple solutions. This helps them understand that there are different ways to approach a situation.
Show flexibility in your own life. Share examples of times when you had to change plans or adjust to unexpected changes, and discuss how you handled those situations.
Engage children in role-playing activities where they have to navigate changes or unexpected events. This can help them practice responding to new situations in a safe environment.
Practice skills like:
Playing cooperatively/sharing with others
Accept their flaws
Apologize when mistaken
Being a good sport when they lose a game or something they like
Practice hypothetical” what” questions that prompt them to think about how to respond to different scenarios. This encourages them to consider alternatives and be open to change
While routines are important, they allow for some flexibility within them. For example, if it is time for homework, let them choose the order in which they complete their assignments
Discuss the importance of being open to new ideas and experiences. Encourage children to try new activities, foods, or hobbies, even if they initially feel hesitant
Help children learn how to manage stress and anxiety through relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or mindfulness. This can help them feel more comfortable when facing unexpected changes
Recognize and celebrate when children successfully adapt to changes or new situations. Positive reinforcement can encourage them to embrace flexibility in the future
While having a busy schedule can be good, too many commitments can make it hard for children to be flexible. Ensure they have some free time to relax and adapt to changes
Engage children in group activities where they have to collaborate with others. This can help them learn to negotiate, compromise, and be adaptable to different personalities and ideas. cooperatively/sharing with others
Apologize when mistaken
Being a good sport when they lose a game or something they value
Perseverance:
Encourage children to set achievable goals that challenge them without overwhelming them.
Break larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
Acknowledge and praise the effort they put into their work, regardless of the outcome. This helps them understand that hard work is valuable.
Demonstrate perseverance in your tasks and challenges. Share your experiences and how you overcame difficulties.
Encourage children to think critically and come up with solutions when they face obstacles. Discuss different strategies they can use
Teach them that intelligence and abilities can be developed with effort and practice. Reinforce the idea that mistakes are a part of learning.
Provide a safe and positive learning environment where children feel comfortable taking risks and making mistakes.
Reward perseverance with praise, stickers, or small rewards when they show determination and stick to a task.
Help children learn to manage their emotions and impulses, keeping them focused on tasks even when they become challenging.
Introduce activities or games that require persistence, such as puzzles or strategy games, to develop their resilience.
After completing a task, have children reflect on what they learned, what challenges they faced, and how they overcame them. This reinforces their learning experience what you start.
Encourage independence by doing things alone on their own or without assistance.
Strengthen not giving up – developing a growth mindset
Strengthen the ability to delay gratification
Help children share responsibilities like caring for pets, flowers, or plants.
Cognitive Skills:
Pose open-ended questions that require children to think critically. Ask” wh” and” ho” to stimulate deeper thinking and encourage them to explore different viewpoints.
2Engage children in activities that require problem-solving, such as puzzles, brain teasers, or math challenges. Encourage them to think through the steps needed to arrive at a solution
Provide opportunities for creative expression through art, music, or writing.
Encourage children to think outside the box and explore different ways to express their ideas
Involve children in hands-on projects that require research, planning, and execution. Encourage them to apply knowledge and skills in real-world contexts
Teach children to think about their thinking. Encourage them to reflect on their learning processes, assess their understanding, and adjust their strategies. Work on skills like:
Thinking about what you are saying or doing.
Awareness/noticing/expressing your emotions.
Telling the truth (awareness of dishonesty)
Awareness, noticing, thinking about, or helping others.
Create opportunities for group discussions or debates on various topics. This helps children articulate their thoughts, listen to others, and develop reasoning skills.
Utilize educational apps and online resources that promote higher-order thinking skills. Many platforms offer games and activities designed to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving
Relate academic concepts to real-life situations. This helps children understand the relevance of their learning and encourages them to think critically about everyday problems.
Foster a sense of curiosity by encouraging children to ask questions and explore their interests. Provide them with resources to research and discover answers independently.
Offer specific feedback on their thought processes and problem-solving approaches. This helps children understand their strengths and areas for improvement, guiding them toward higher-order thinking about what they are saying or doing.g
Reinforce telling the truth (awareness of dishonesty)
Encourage awareness/noticing/expressing your emotions
Social Emotional Intelligence:
Engage children in role-playing activities to practice social situations. This can help them learn appropriate responses, develop problem-solving skills, and navigate social dynamics effectively. Practice skills like:
Manage emotions and stress
Calm down, breathe, and check yourself when upset
Empathize with others.
Kindness/helping others
Sharing your things with others
Helping someone out
2. Discuss your own emotions openly. Use everyday situations to explain your feelings and how you manage them, showing children that it’s okay to express emotions.
3. Help children expand their emotional vocabulary by teaching them words for different feelings. Please encourage them to use these words to express their feelings, which can improve communication and self-awareness.
4. Discuss how others might feel in various situations to promote empathy. Use stories or real-life examples to help children understand different perspectives and the importance of considering others' feelings.
5. Teach children the importance of listening to others. Encourage them to make eye contact, nod, and respond appropriately when someone is speaking. This fosters better communication and understanding.
6. Establish an environment where children feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings without judgment. Regular family meetings or check-ins can provide opportunities for open discussion.
7. Involve children in group activities, such as sports or collaborative projects. These experiences teach teamwork, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
8. Help children identify healthy ways to cope with stress and difficult emotions, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or talking to someone they trust
9. Discuss the consequences of actions and decisions, both positive and negative. This will help children understand how their behavior affects themselves and others.
10. Expose children to different cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints. This will foster an appreciation for diversity and help them develop a broader understanding of social dynamics, emotions, and stress.
11. Calm down, breathe, and check yourself when upset
12. Empathize with others.
13. Kindness/helping others
14. Sharing your things with others
15. Helping someone out
6. Connecting with Friends
Strong friendships and good friends provide essential emotional support, increase happiness, and create a feeling of belonging. Friendships enhance our well-being and contribute to a longer life. Friends inspire personal growth, present diverse perspectives, improve mental health. Friendships provide a sense of safety, helping us face life’s challenges and reduces the likelihood of experiencing depression and anxiety. Healthy friendships elevate self-esteem, alleviate stress, and promote overall wellness, making us more resilient and better able to recover from illness or trauma, ultimately making life more fulfilling and enjoyable.
Strategies for establishing better connections with friends:
Share your thoughts and feelings honestly to build trust and understanding.
Pay attention and show genuine interest in what your friends say.
Prioritize regular hangouts or activities to strengthen your bond.
Offer help and encouragement during challenging times to show you care.
Create lasting memories by trying new activities or adventures together.
Regularly acknowledge how important friendships are through kind words or gestures.
Share your challenges and insecurities to foster deeper connections.
Understand and honor each other's personal space and limits.
Reach out regularly through calls, messages, or social media to maintain connections.
Acknowledge birthdays and achievements to show you value your friendships.