As a speaker at the nanny palooza conference held in Phoenix AZ, October 2024 was super fun for me, as I so enjoy educating in a fun, creative and playful way. I educated nannies from varied states focusing on emotional management of the children that they serve, as well as understanding their own emotional reaction to life challenges, and how to self regulate with self awareness. The topic focus: anxiety management. I provided what I consider the magic formula which is: 1) Know your child’s (and your own) ‘reward language’. 2) The utilization of Internal Family Systems theory (AKA Parts Work) to help children (and self) increase awareness of one’s feelings while making choices from a place of leader self, rather than ‘acting out’ on one’s emotions (AKA Parts). 3) Anxiety does not present the same way in each child nor adult, nor each time in the same person. 4) Understanding emotional and behavioral triggers. 4) Utilization of somatic exercises, teaching several. Including the power of breath and how to breathe by tapping into the Vagus nerve. Education included addressing the two way highway between mind and body.
Rather than the traditional use of a power point, instead, through the use of props, real examples, and interactive communication education, attendees walked away energized. Attendees left the workshop with concrete methods to help themselves and the families that they serve, children of all ages, to manage their emotions, emotionally regulate, and Dr. Karen’s magic formula for anxiety management.