Virtual Curbside

This month, we begin a new series on quality improvement initiatives that pediatric practices can implement to support families. Our first episode focuses on promoting social and emotional health by equipping pediatricians with practical strategies to help parents foster resilience, healthy relationships, and emotional well-being in their children.Our host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP and Cindy Brough, MD discuss the importance of building awareness, empathy, effective communication, problem-solving skills, self-confidence, and a strong sense of self from an early age. The conversation introduces a simple framework for coaching families through emotions: "notice, name, normalize, and navigate." We also explore how pediatricians can help parents provide consistent guidance, model healthy emotional regulation, and tailor expectations to a child's developmental stage.Additional topics include teaching conflict resolution, supporting positive peer relationships, recognizing when social withdrawal or changes in friendshi