JH Kids Videos

Tips for Managing Expectations during the High Holidays

September 16, 2020

We know that these High Holidays will be very different from our usual celebrations – it’s important to know that you are not alone. Start by naming and facing your disappointments. Acknowledge and face them. Discuss as a family what you can do to make this year extra special. How have you faced challenging times in the past? What helped you get through times of vulnerability and uncertainty? Chances are those same things may help you through again. Try and draw on these strengths. Be kind to yourself and trust that you've got this! The JH Kids and Jewish House teams are here to support you and your family through these challenging times.

Make the most of your High Holidays

September 18, 2020

Check out this video for some creative tips on how to make the most of your High Holidays this year, as we reflect on the challenges we are overcoming with Covid-19. If you have the energy for creativity- go for it and if you don't, take a breather and know that these ideas are not going to make or break your High Holiday experience.

1. Leave post it notes with connecting messages around the home. Encourage your children to do the same.

2. Turn your home into a Synagogue and get creative with the role play.

3. Write yourselves a new year letter filled with reflections and hopes. Check back on these letters again when your children turn 18.

4. Rose, Bud and Thorn discussion.

Wishing you and your family a Shana Tova- Happy New Year.

My Messy Feelings Masterpiece

September 30, 2020

JH Kids have come up with some activities that you can try at home during these school holidays. This video is geared towards kids aged 5-12. Feel free to watch together with your kids and do the activity together with them.

Have fun with this- be creative. There is no right or wrong way- let your feelings guide your hand.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1

October 1, 2020

JH Kids have come up with some activities that you can try at home during these school holidays. These videos are geared towards kids aged 5-12. Feel free to watch them with your kids and do the activities together with them.

There are times that our thoughts go wandering, which is a great thing! But sometimes they wonder when we wish they wouldn't, or when it isn't helpful for us. Using our senses to ground us is a technique we can use to bring us to our present moment in time and take hold of our thoughts so we can focus on what is in front of us. In this 2 min video, we share this technique with practical examples.

Readjusting Expectations and Discussing Feelings with the Re-emergence of Covid19

December 24, 2020

Covid19 has re-emerged in Sydney, which means that a lot of our School Holiday plans have changed overnight!

In this video, Devorah our Online Content Manager and Social Worker shares some practical tips to help you readjust to this new reality and have conversations about it with your children.

The days are long, and although these school holidays won't necessarily go as planned, you can still find moments of joy, laughter, growth and connection.

Stay in touch. We are here with you and for you to bounce any ideas off or share specific concerns.

What Fuels Your Tank?

December 28, 2020

Video geared towards children aged 5-12 to watch with their parents.

What fuels your energy tank? There are different qualities and types of petrol that work for different cars, like there are different qualities of foods or activities that we fill our tanks with.

There are basic activities that will enable us to function optimally and keep our minds and bodies thriving.

How to Say Thank You and Mean it

January 4, 2021

Happy New Year!

What a great time to take stock of what we want more of in our lives- Gratitude!

Here is a video that you can watch together with your children to help cultivate gratitude in your home.

In this video, Devorah discusses four simple steps to make saying ‘thank you’ easy and meaningful.

If you would like to delve deeper, we highly recommend the Gratitude Conversations Program which gives a wealth of practical examples and tips. It is an interactive and free online program developed by Scientists at the Centre for Developmental Sciences at the University of North Carolina, Raising Grateful Children Project.

Family Self-Care List

January 10, 2021

Self-care is often the last item on our to do list. Self-care refers to activities that we consciously choose to do on a regular basis. Research has shown that having a self-care routine, which incorporates self-care everyday can maintain and enhance health and wellbeing and lowers stress and anxiety. We want to set our kids up to be able to identify their self-care needs and attend to them each day.

In this video we suggest incorporating at least one act of self-love each day - for the whole family.

The challenge is to do 3 acts of self-love that can take you less than 5 minutes EVERY DAY during these school holidays.

Are you up for the JH Kids Wellbeing Challenge?

Let's Chat! 5 Back to school Conversation Pointers

January 24, 2021

As the school holidays come to an end consider taking a few moments to reflect.

How do you feel? What have you achieved that you are proud of? How are you preparing your kids for a new year?

Times of transition can be challenging, and each person handles them differently. It takes time to find a new groove and get back into a routine.

Try to find some time before your children start the new school year to sit with each one of them (one on one is best if you can) and have a conversation! Prepare for the conversation in advance.

In this video we share 5 discussion pointers. You can check in with your child a week or two later to see how things are tracking.

Removing Our Masks to Reveal Our True Feelings

February 23, 2021

This video is geared towards children aged 5-12 to watch with their parents.

Babies and toddlers have no problems showing pure feelings. When they are happy- it’s obvious from their high pitch shrill, their skipping, or jumping. When they are sad, their faces scrunch up and the tears flow freely. When they feel disappointed- you know it from their stomping, and loud protest. But somewhere along the way this changes. Somewhere along the way our feelings get confused and it becomes more difficult to figure out if the feelings we are displaying are true depictions of what we are actually feeling.

Kids and adults can mask their true feelings as protection when they feel vulnerable, unsafe, afraid or misunderstood. Most of the time it is subconscious- which means we aren’t even aware of it! It takes courage and trust for someone to share their vulnerabilities with others.

What can we do about it? We can create a safe, open, non-judgemental and inviting environment for our children to feel comfortable to open up. It takes empathy and good listening skills.

"It's Okay, These Things Happen"

March 3, 2021

Every day mistakes are just that. They happen every day and they are mistakes. Although, often they take up a lot more energy than they should and become the trigger for heightened feelings that like to attach themselves to these 'mini moments'.

It doesn't need to be that way. A simple reframing of the event can put things into perspective and change it from triggering a stress response to being an everyday mistake.

Join me in continuing our education and give it a try. Our homes will be calmer for it and our relationships stronger.

*if you find that mistakes are happening frequently and are interfering with daily living, it could be indicative of something worth discussing further. We are here for you.

Always and Never. Words can build or destroy

March 15, 2021

Do you use the words ALWAYS and NEVER? What about your kids?

These are great words to use when expressing love, but when we use these words in an argument, it can lead to feelings of inadequacy and reduced motivation. This is true in our relationships with other adults, our children and ourselves.

When used in the right context these words lead to deeper connection and discussion and when used in the wrong context, they close doors to connection and conversation.

1. Try and notice when you use these words and how the recipient responds.

2. Apologise when you use them out of context.

3. Use them more when expressing love and less when expressing frustrations.

Our children model our behaviour and learn a lot more from what they HEAR us say than what we TELL them to say.

Please tell me again- Storytelling and Integration.

Part one of two. Passover 2021

Passover is all about retelling a story. When we tell a story, it connects the left and right hemispheres of our brain to promote integration. Integration leads to balance and stability. We want to encourage our children to tell stories about life events in detail, as often as they like. When they share stories where they felt safe and secure, they will be able to access these feelings more easily in the future.

Stay tuned for part two where I explore what happens when we share stories that elicit difficult emotions.

*Ideas shared from The Whole Brain Child, written by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson. If you haven’t yet read this book, I highly recommend you get yourself a copy ASAP.

Tell the Whole Story- Reclaiming Ownership for Our Life Stories

Part two of two. Passover 2021

Challenges are universal- we all experience them and we can’t protect our children from them. There will be times when your child gets hurt, feels left out or loses someone they love.

As parents, we support our children through these difficulties and give them the tools to work through them. When your child retells a story that was difficult, they may get stuck in the middle of it with the feelings that they felt during the challenge. You can help them extend the story through to the end, where there is some resolve or safety. You can ask them, what happened next, and remind them of the next steps that brought them to a safe space where they are now able to share that story.

We all have stories, ones that make us laugh, and cry, feel afraid or feel loved. If you are alive and breathing then your stories haven’t ended. Don’t be afraid to revisit them and challenge your narratives- you’ll be more balanced, healthier and happier for it.

*Ideas shared from The Whole Brain Child, written by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson. If you haven’t yet read this book, I highly recommend you get yourself a copy ASAP.

Introduction to the Healthy Mind Platter

April 2021

We know how important it is to have a balanced diet of healthy foods for our wellbeing and physical health, but what about our mental health? Dr Rock and Dr D Siegel created the Healthy Mind Platter which incorporates 7 activities that we should be doing daily for optimal mind health . They are Focus Time, Physical Time, Play Time, Connecting Time, Down Time, Time In and Sleep Time. Their research explores the impact of these activities on different parts of our brains and overall wellbeing. You can find more info here- https://drdansiegel.com/healthy-mind-platter/ The key is to have balance. There is no prescribed time allocation for each activity, but we should ensure that we incorporate each activity in every day. If you don’t currently do this, that’s ok! It takes time to adjust and being mindful of the Healthy Mind Platter can help us to understand ourselves and our needs and our children’s needs better. This leads to increased understanding and sensitivity when those needs aren’t being met. To read the full article click here

Focus Time with JH Kids

April 2021

How much of our day is spent really focusing on one task without getting distracted? Time is a precious resource and if we can skill up in focusing, staying focused and refocusing when distracted, then we will be more successful. This video is an introduction to Focus Time in the series of activities within the Healthy Mind Platter, created by Dr Daniel Siegel and Dr David Rock. The original framework can be found at https://drdansiegel.com/healthy-mind-platter/ The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the intended views of the creators of the Healthy Mind Platter. To view the full article click here

Connecting Time with JH Kids

April 2021

How much time in our day do we connect with others? Through giving and receiving in a meaningful way we become more secure within ourselves and flexible when confronting challenges. This video is an introduction to Connecting Time in the series of activities within the Healthy Mind Platter, created by Dr Daniel Siegel and Dr David Rock. The original framework can be found at https://drdansiegel.com/healthy-mind-platter/ The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the intended views of the creators of the Healthy Mind Platter. To view the full article click here

Play Time with JH Kids

April 2021

It's Play Time! How much of your day is spent playing? Self-directed play helps create new connections in the brain and is important for children and for adults. How can I bring more fun into my day? This video is an introduction to Play Time in the series of activities within the Healthy Mind Platter, created by Dr Daniel Siegel and Dr David Rock. The original framework can be found at https://drdansiegel.com/healthy-mind-platter/? The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the intended views of the creators of the Healthy Mind Platter. To view the full article click here

Time In with JH Kids

April 2021

Time In is when we shine the spotlight on what we are experiencing within. How am I feeling? What am I thinking? What is my body telling me? The more aware we are of our internal processes the more balance and integration we have. This video is an introduction to Time In in the series of activities within the Healthy Mind Platter, created by Dr Daniel Siegel and Dr David Rock. The original framework can be found at https://drdansiegel.com/healthy-mind-platter/ The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the intended views of the creators of the Healthy Mind Platter. To view the full article click here

Downtime with JH Kids

April 2021

Ah the simplicity of doing absolutely nothing! When was the last time that you just did nothing- without feeling guilty about it? Down time does not mean a waste of time- it is a space that gets filled with new insights and brain connections. This video is an introduction to Downtime in the series of activities within the Healthy Mind Platter, created by Dr Daniel Siegel and Dr David Rock. The original framework can be found at https://drdansiegel.com/healthy-mind-platter/? The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the intended views of the creators of the Healthy Mind Platter. To view the full article click here

Physical Time with JH Kids

April 2021

It's time to get moving! How much exercise do we need? How about our children? How can we increase our heart rate every single day? This video is an introduction to Physical Time in the series of activities within the Healthy Mind Platter, created by Dr Daniel Siegel and Dr David Rock. The original framework can be found at https://drdansiegel.com/healthy-mind-platter/ The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the intended views of the creators of the Healthy Mind Platter. To view the full article click here

Sleep Time with JH Kids

April 2021

Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. We crave it when we don't have enough of it and we push it aside when it is offered to us. Why is that? How much sleep should we be getting and how can we make the most out of our snooze time? This video is an introduction to Sleep Time in the series of activities within the Healthy Mind Platter, created by Dr Daniel Siegel and Dr David Rock. The original framework can be found at https://drdansiegel.com/healthy-mind-platter/? The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the intended views of the creators of the Healthy Mind Platter. To view the full article click here

All Dressed Up with Nowhere to Go

High Holidays 2021

Are you all dressed up with nowhere to go? Join the club. These High Holidays will be like none other. Last year Sydney Siders were prepared for synagogues being closed and hearing the sound of the shofar on the street. This year there are no children services, no gatherings with friends and family, and it comes after months of uncertainty and juggling practicalities and feelings (both our own and our children) that are new and deep and overwhelming. So where does that leave us? Exactly where we are. Feeling excited and prepared for the High Holidays, or overwhelmed and at breaking point. Or a mix of everything. This year I implore you to come as you are. Give your children the gift of your presence as you come to the table all dressed up in your finest, or in your PJ's. G-d is not sitting in the empty synagogues but right with you in your home. If you are looking for creative ways to spice up your High Holidays check our videos from last year https://www.jewishhouse.org.au/blog/jh-kids-videos. We will be launching our High Holidays with JH Kids webpage on Friday with links to activities for your older children, story and activity time for your younger children and short insights for you too. Wishing you a Shana Tova! May it be a good year that is filled with health and joy, connection and growth and fresh air!

Take That First Step

Chanukah 2021

Take that first step!

Is your ‘too hard basket’ overflowing? Are there tasks or activities or habits that you would like to tackle but haven’t yet? How do we get it all done?

Can we take the first step? Can we encourage our children to take that very first step?

Join us as we share a tip from the Chanukah flames.

Chanukah Sameach, Happy Chanukah!

Can Guilt be a Good Thing?

Yom Kippur 2022

Yom Kippur is in just over a day. It is a time for introspection and reflection and that can bring up feelings of GUILT or SHAME. Guilt and shame are not the same. When appropriate, guilt encourages healthy realignment of behaviours with values. Shame does not do the same. When we feel shame, we want to run away or disappear. It doesn't encourage change- instead we get caught up in a destructive cycle that feels unending. Do you know the differences between guilt and shame? Can you recognise them in your self-talk, or your children's? This is just a snippet of a much larger discussion. Get in touch to chat more.

A Message of Courage

Purim 2023

It is time to celebrate with food and friends and gifts to the poor. It is also a time where Jews around the world read Megillat Esther- The story of Purim. We read about Queen Esther who had tremendous courage to stand up for what was right, literally risking her life. What is courage? How can we be more courageous? How can we encourage our children to do the same? Join us as we explore the concept of courage, because the reality is- we are all brave, we have faced challenges and overcome them. Sometimes we just need a little reminder.

The Importance of Asking Questions

Passover April 2022

Why Mum? But whyyyyyy Dad? Can I have this? Why can't I go there? Why do I have ADHD? What is puberty? Why don't I have friends? Why is the sky blue? Why do I get sooo angry? Why did grandma die? What is suicide? Why do I love you soooo much? These are just some of the questions that you may be asked by your child. The real question lies in how you answer the questions. We want our responses to foster connection and encourage our children to ask us more. We want their questions to lead to discussions because we want to be the people that our children turn to for answers. Join us as we explore: 1. How we can become people who our children are comfortable to turn to with their questions. 2. How to tune to where our child's questions are coming from. 3. What to do when we don't have the answers.

Giving and Receiving

Shavuot 2023

Shavuot is a festival in which the Jewish People commemorate receiving the Torah. It is a gift and it got me thinking about Giving and Receiving. Often, we give love to our children in the way that we would like to receive love- but each person receives love differently. It can be frustrating for both the parent and child if love is not being given in a way that it will be received. We want to give love in a way that will fill our children's cup. This means learning a little bit more about their unique love language. Check out the quiz here

Unconditional Love

Tishe Be'Av 2023

What does it mean to unconditionally love our children? Is this love something that our children feel daily? Think of a time that you were the recipient of unconditional love. Who gave it to you? What did it mean to you? We want our children to know that our love for them is not dependent on how they behave. We want our children to know that no matter what they say or do, our love for them continues to strengthen each day. Can we feel the intense unconditional love every moment of every day? Probably not, but can we tap into the knowledge of its existence each day? Can we say "I love you" to our children every single day?

What is My Family's Motto?

Rosh Hashana 2023

Rosh Hashana- the beginning of a new year. We all want to have a sweet new year and we can take steps to make that happen. A family motto or mission statement is a reflection of your family's values. Sometimes our behaviours represent our values beautifully, and sometimes they don't. We want our values to be reflected in our day to day interactions with ourselves and others. The values that we instil in our children from a young age, stay with them through to adulthood. Whether we like it or not, our family has a motto. What is your family's motto? Try sitting down as a family and writing two lists- what we think our family motto is, and what we would like our family motto to be. If the two lists are the same, send me some notes :). But if there are discrepancies then this is the year to face them head on and make those tweaks in our behaviours so that they line up with our values. This year, let our family motto be one that we choose for ourselves.

The Only Way is Baby Steps

Yom Kippur 2023

Have you ever wondered why you have a hard time with self-improvement? Maybe you're like me and find it challenging to change behaviours or thought patterns. Well, today we discuss an idea that was truly mind-blowing for me and credit goes to Lynn Lyons who has authored "The Anxiety Audit" that goes through these ideas in more detail. Lynn shares that there is only one way to combat unhealthy thinking patterns, and that is by taking baby steps. Baby steps are still steps forward and are SO significant! Yom Kippur is around the corner, a time when we consider our interactions with ourselves and others and look to improve on them. This year lets make significant strides forward by taking teeny tiny baby steps.

Experiencing Joy with Every Essence of our Being

Sukkot 2023

Have you ever felt joy or happiness and suddenly this foreboding feeling comes to zap that joy away? The feeling that says, "this isn't going to last", "something bad is going to happen to take it all away". This feeling tries to prepare us for the worst, when we are feeling our best- and that is not helpful. So how can we combat it? Watch further to find out. Sukkot is a time for rejoicing- in hebrew- zman simchateinu. Let's allow ourselves to experience that joy FULLY, with all of our senses, with every essence of our being.

Now is the Time for Shared Happiness

Purim 2024

The hebrew calendar month of Adar begins today. It is a time where we increase in 'shared happiness'. What is the difference between shared happiness and regular feelings of joy, delight, happiness? One is about the 'I' and the other about the 'WE'. We can only experience 'simcha' (shared happiness) through connecting with others. It exists between us, rather than within us. Give it a try over the next few weeks. What are some things that you can do with/for others? Clean the local park Play music and have a family dance party One on one time playing a game with each of your children Game night with your spouse Choose a charity to give to or to volunteer at What you might find is that through shared joy, your individual wellbeing is cared for as well.

My Needs Matter, and So Do Yours!!!

Can you write a list of all the things you love doing, and set an alarm each day to ensure you are putting your needs first?

How Are You?

How are you? When was the last time you asked the question and paused to actively listen to the answer? Do it for others and yourself and see how validating and supportive it can be.

Are You Listening, Mate?

Sometimes we just need a really good vent. Someone or something we can turn to and share all of our fears, worries, anger, disappointment, and joys. Who or what would you turn to? Where can you safely share these things? You can write it in a journal, scribble it on a paper, share with a friend.

The Constant Chatter in Our Minds

Pause for a minute. What is the constant chatter in your mind saying? Are you even aware of it? Is it kind, encouraging and supportive?

I Need Help!

Sometimes we give by giving, and sometimes we give by allowing somebody to give to us. Challenge your difficulties with asking for help. We are a team- reaching out in times of need reduces our aloneness and helps us to get through. Give it a go.

Have a Laugh. It is So Good for You!

Laughter just feels good! Laughing can diffuse a tense situation and trigger a really good cry. Find something funny to watch, or a silly game to play and have a laugh.