Monthly Challenge
Five Days of Connection
Try one strategy every day!
Day 1 — Follow Their Lead
Activity:
Set aside 10–15 minutes of uninterrupted, child-led play.
How to do it:
Let the child choose the activity
Narrate without directing
Avoid correcting or teaching
Connection focus:
“I see you. You matter.”
Day 2 — Shared Regulation
Activity:
Practice calming together during a transition or big emotion.
How to do it:
Sit close
Take slow breaths together
Offer gentle presence, not solutions
Connection focus:
“You’re not alone in hard moments.”
Day 3 — Predictable Ritual
Activity:
Create or reinforce a small daily ritual.
Examples:
A special goodbye phrase
A song before nap
A consistent greeting
Connection focus:
“You can trust what comes next.”
Day 4 — Emotion Coaching Moment
Activity:
Name and validate an emotion you notice.
How to do it:
Name the feeling
Validate the experience
Offer support
Example:
“You’re feeling frustrated because that was hard. I’m here.”
Connection focus:
“All feelings are safe here.”
Day 5 — Repair & Reflect
Activity:
Model repair after a challenging moment.
How to do it:
Acknowledge what happened
Take responsibility if needed
Reconnect
Example:
“I was rushed earlier. Thank you for staying with me.”
Connection focus:
“Relationships can be repaired.”