The HOWL skill is a child-friendly communication tool that teaches kids to hold their feelings, observe the situation, wish clearly, and lay it out in a simple, direct way.

Start by teaching a simple structure, practicing during calm moments, and using sentence starters like “I notice,” “I feel,” and “Can we.” Many kids need a communication framework, not just encouragement.

Yes. The HOWL Plan is especially helpful for kids who notice a lot but struggle to say what they mean in the moment.

SIFT is a reality-checking skill that helps kids separate what they notice from what their brain assumes, using four steps: Spot, Interpret, Fact-check, and Test.

Teach them to pause and question their thoughts using tools like SIFT. Practice during calm moments and encourage curiosity instead of assumption.

Yes. Many kids naturally try to make sense of situations quickly. Without guidance, this can turn into anxiety, but with skills like SIFT, it can become a strength.