Special Education
Welcome!
Resources for Child Development, Behavior Support & Inclusive Education
This special education site is for anyone supporting a child or student who thinks, feels, or learns differently. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or support professional, you’ll find practical tools, free resources, and personalized guidance to help you navigate the journey with confidence and compassion.
Our Belief: Strengths Over Struggles
For years, I’ve worked with children, teens, and adults who don’t always fit into the systems around them. Through that work, I’ve learned this: everyone has strengths, and most challenges come from unmet needs—not from a lack of effort.
Here, you’ll find support for:
👨👩👧 Parenting & Development
Real-Life Parenting Support
We also explore everyday parenting challenges—from toddlers who won’t sleep or children who bite, to teens testing limits. These are natural parts of development, and they feel less overwhelming with the right support.
My approach is based on solving challenges with children, not just for them, and creating real, lasting change in both home and school life.
Get Personalized Help
If you’re looking for deeper support, I also offer short-term guidance conversations tailored to your family or educational setting.
💬 Contact me here to ask a question or book a consultation.
📸 Or follow along on Instagram: @smallhandsbigjourneys for daily insights and inspiration.
Thank you for being here—I hope what you find supports and inspires you.
Support children who think and learn differently—with practical strategies for both home and school. Foster inclusion and celebrate individual strengths.
Learn how to understand challenging behavior, support positive behavior, and build emotional regulation skills both in special education and regular homelife.
Find support for everyday parenting—whether it’s bedtime struggles, biting, or boundary-testing—through connection, rhythm, and trust.
Strengthen relationships with open dialogue, shared problem-solving, and respectful, age-appropriate communication.
Practical strategies for supporting language development in bilingual and monolingual settings, using play-based methods such as songs, games, storytelling, and daily routines.
Helping schools and families build flexible systems, support teachers, and strengthen collaboration around students with diverse needs.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
My child speaks two languages but only responds in one. What should I do?
This is very common! Many bilingual children understand both languages but prefer to answer in one.
Try this:
Read and sing in both languages regularly.
Pause at the end of a sentence and let your child “fill in the word.”
Stick to one language at a time to support clarity.
Celebrate all language use—it will grow with time!
My child gets so excited that they hit or push others. How can I help?
Excitement is natural—but young children often don’t know how to channel big energy yet.
Try this:
Stay close during social play.
Gently guide them to “soft hands” or offer a big hug.
Offer active alternatives: “Let’s run together!” or “Jump here!”
Name their feelings: “You’re excited! Let’s find a way to show it safely.”
My toddler refuses to sleep at night. What’s a good bedtime routine?
A consistent bedtime helps your child feel safe and calm—but it can take time to build.
Try this:
Keep the same wake-up time every morning.
Use a calm routine: bath, lullaby, story, quiet.
At bedtime, say: “It’s time to rest now. We’re staying in bed.”
Avoid too much talking—stay present but calm.
Repeat the routine for 3 nights before changing anything.
My child can’t sit still or focus. Is that normal?
Movement is learning! Many children need to move, wiggle, and explore as part of their growth.
Try this:
Build in movement breaks between activities.
Use hands-on learning: playdough, building, sorting.
Expect short attention spans—especially before age 7.
Focus on connection, not correction.
Trust that attention will grow with time and rhythm.
What if my child doesn’t fit into the school system?
If your child is struggling in school, it can feel heartbreaking—and exhausting. But please know: you are not failing, and your child is not broken.
Sometimes the system simply doesn’t have the flexibility, understanding, or resources to meet every child’s needs. And in those moments, it’s okay to think differently.
Here’s what you can do:
Observe your child’s strengths and what makes them feel safe and curious.
Connect with teachers when possible, but trust your instincts—you know your child best.
Sometimes stepping away from the system, even temporarily, helps.
Children learn best when they feel safe; if they’re only coping, true learning can’t happen.
✨ More Questions?
📩 Want to ask something personal or get support?
👉 [Contact me here] or message me on Instagram: @smallhandsbigjourneys
👉 Press here to explore our full FAQ