Keiki Skills — Help Your Keiki

Child & Youth Education
Reviewing information with the child about how their problem developed in a developmentally age-appropriate way to empower the youth with knowledge about their problem.

Self-Verbalization
A type of cognitive skill that increases a child’s awareness of their inner voice. The goal of self-verbalization is to decrease negative self statements and increase use of positive self statements.

Problem-Solving
A skill that children learn by participating in activities which empower them to find solutions to different challenges independently.

Relaxation
Calming exercises which teach youth how to effectively cope with stressful events. These exercises can include muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, and meditation.

Social Skills
Exercises which give the child information, training, and feedback about the way they interact (e.g., play, speak, work) with others. The goals of these exercises are to increase positive interactions with others and to give the child tools to interact appropriately.

Communication Skills
Training for youth or parents in how to communicate effectively with each other in order to minimize stress and increase positive interactions.

Cognitive
Techniques used to change an event’s meaning through discussing the child’s thoughts on the event at hand.

Activity Scheduling
Exercises that allow clients to identify and take part in fun activities outside of therapy when they want to feel good. The goal of activity scheduling is to encourage continued participation in rewarding and healthy experiences and to help youth build positive friendships.

Maintenance & Relapse Prevention
Exercises that involve reviewing learned skills and planning ahead for any challenges that might arise after therapy is finished.

Goal-Setting
This skill involves learning to set goals that are realistic, measurable and support a positive behavioral change.

Crisis Management

Quick problem-solving skills for urgent and/or dangerous events, including calming a situation and planning supports to prevent future problems.

Narrative

Creation and review of a story about challenging or traumatic life events in a safe space. This changes the understanding of those events and promotes better coping.

Nutritional Care or Recommendation

Providing counseling, education and recommendations for supplementing or improving the child/youth’s diet.