M.I. Friends
Here to help parents
Welcome to M.I.friends! This program has been designed for you and your family, to start working together to overcome big feelings and build resiliency!
Early intervention is the key
This is a program for you, the parent, designed to support you at home as you navigate challenges around daily activities and general development.
This program does not replace professional support, but will provide you with resources to strengthen any necessary medical or educational relationships you require to support your child.
Let’s start by determining where your child is struggling…
Before you begin, it might be good to take some time to observe or think about your child’s behaviour.
- When do they struggle?
- When do the big feelings start to build?
Sometimes kids have a number of different struggles – it’s best to tackle one at a time!
This chart is a tool to communicate with others about the challenges your child is having. Use it in school or medical meetings, or with extended family and caregivers to show them where your child struggles to help them be part of the solution.
Sometimes kids have a number of different struggles, and it’s best to tackle one at a time!
| Event | What Happened |
| Going to school | Crying |
| Bedtime | Yelling-screaming |
| Leaving (transition) a situation | Refused to leave |
| New situation | Refused to go |
| Change in routine | Kicking/ hitting |
| Turning off TV/Internet | Fear |
| Loud noises | Silly/ disruptive/ concerning behaviour |
| Weather (storms, rain, wind) | Refused to eat/gag |
| Picky eating | Lying |
| Fear of animals/ people | Pleading to change plans |
| Struggles with behaviour | hiding |
| Negative, puts them selves down | Headache/ stomach ache |
What are we going to work on today?
☻ Going to school
☻ Bedtime
☻ Leaving (transition) a situation
☻ New situation
☻ Change in routine
☻ Turning off TV/Internet
☻ Loud noises
☻ Weather (storms, rain, wind)
☻ Picky eating
☻ Fear of animals/people
☻ Struggles with behaviour
☻ Negative, put themselves down
Now that we know what triggers big feelings or worries, let’s come up with some strategies and a plan to help your child work through them.
You might want to explore a couple.
Strategy Libraries
Head over to the kids page with your child to meet the M.I.friends and explore some of the activities. The videos and activity pages have been designed to help you and your child start a conversation.
Watch the videos together.
Print off two copies of the activity pages so you and your child can do them together. Use these activities as opportunities to start a conversation: sometimes all you have to do is listen.