The information in this article applies to public schools in the United States. If your child attends school in a different type of setting, talk to your child’s school to see what they recommend for children with behavioral and/or social-emotional needs. What is Emotional Disturbance? Emotional Disturbance (ED) is considered one of the 14 disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) …
American Academy of Pediatrics Explains Why Recess is Crucial for Children and Shouldn’t be Withheld
Introduction Policy makers, educators, and parents often talk about the role of schools in promoting the development of the whole child (e.g., physical, social, and academic development). A growing trend toward putting more emphasis on academic subjects and less on recess time, has put this important part of a child’s school day at risk. When recess is provided, children get …
10 Fun Activities to Do with Your Child at Home
Doing things with your kids is a great way to make time fly while spending quality time together! It also keeps behavior problems down. An engaged child who feels good and is having fun, will be more likely to behave than a child with idle time on his/her hands who is trying to figure out what to do next. Recommended Article: 10 …
Responsive Classroom: Evidenced-Based Approach Improves Academics & Behavior
What is Responsive Classroom? Responsive Classroom is an evidence-based approach to teaching elementary and middle school students. Responsive Classroom stresses the importance of fusing social-emotional learning with academic learning to create the optimal environment for success. Research finds that the Responsive Classroom approach is associated with higher math and reading achievement, an improved school climate, and higher-quality instruction. Responsive Classroom …
Theatre Teacher Shares Three Techniques to Increase Empathy in Students
As a theatre teacher and teacher educator, I believe empathy is central to building a respectful, caring, and compassionate community. Scholarly work on empathy reveals that empathy must be explicitly taught and practiced. In clinical psychologist Baron-Cohen’s book, Zero Degrees of Empathy: A New Theory of Human Cruelty and Kindness (2012), he identifies two types of empathy: cognitive and affective. …
Top 5 Reasons Why Physical Education is As Important As Schoolwork
Version in Spanish Many schools are now motivating students to maintain a balance between their school work and physical education. Physical education is an essential part of healthy living for people of all age groups, especially those going to school. This is because school life is full of stress and anxiety at every stage. Researches have proved the importance of …
3 Effective Research-Based Bullying Intervention Programs
In my elementary and middle school years, I was a target for bullying and endured severe bullying from 5th through 9th grade. My confidence was not strong, my family was different from the average kid’s family in my school district, and I dressed a lot differently than the other girls in my school, due to the influence and style of …
5 Great Books to Teach Young Children About Empathy
As a behavior specialist and mobile therapist, I always loved using books to teach kids about a variety of social-emotional skills such as how to understand your feelings, how to be a friend, how to accept differences, how to develop empathy, how to solve a problem, how to be a good citizen, etc. Research also supports the benefits of using …
5 Great Activities to Do with Your Social Skills Group (Adolescents/Teens)
Working in the public school system for many years, I often heard school counselors asking for advice about the kinds of activities they should do with their adolescent social skills groups. Students in the groups often had difficulty with skills such as listening, waiting their turn in conversation, staying on topic, sharing materials, understanding another person’s feelings, getting along with …
Strategies for Schools to Help Children with Separation Anxiety
This article is a follow up from our first article: Strategies for Parents to Help Their Child with Separation Anxiety. This intro is the same, but as you go further down the article, you will see strategies for schools to use to Help children with separation anxiety. What is Separation Anxiety Disorder?According the American Psychiatric Association, a person with separation anxiety disorder …
How to Talk to Kids to Improve Behavior
I can tell you from over 19 years of experience, that being calm, encouraging, positive, patient, and consistent far outweighs yelling, punishment, and threats in any situation with any child, regardless of what you believe has or hasn’t worked in the past. Research and experience show that positive parenting/teaching strategies win every time and why is that? Just like adults, kids …
A Message for All Kids
• You are more than just a kid. You are special for being alive. You are light and hope. You are priceless and worth more than you could ever imagine! • What other people say doesn’t change who you are. • You are at your best when you love and believe in yourself. • When you feel that no one …
Roots of Empathy: A Research-Based Program that Counters Bullying
What is Roots of Empathy? Roots of Empathy is a research-based program with a long-term goal to create a society of adults who are responsible/well-mannered citizens that use positive parenting methods. The overall short-term goal of the program focuses on raising levels of empathy, resulting in more respectful and caring relationships and reduced levels of bullying and aggression. Empathy is defined …
Find Out How One Teacher Stopped Bullying in Her Classroom!
By Omolara Gbadamosi Within the school environment, the classroom is a child’s home. It represents the family unit. Most likely, every class will always have at least one child that seems out of place and other children will notice the awkwardness. Personally, I do not think oppression is the problem because it is part of human nature and likely to …
8 Fun Activities to Practice Social Skills with Your Child
This article gives several fun social skills activities that you can do with your child. While the activities are described in a one on one format between parent and child, many of them can also be used with a group of children such as siblings, students, or clients in a group therapy setting. Parents, teachers, school counselors, psychologists, and speech/language …
6 Ways to Bounce Back From an Insult Quickly
People often have trouble moving on quickly after someone says something to them that they find offensive, hurtful, or insulting. This has been an area of weakness for me since I was a child. I wish I knew at the time how to let insults roll off my back, but I am learning now. I want to share this with …
8 Ways I Battle My Depression Every Day and Win!
I have literally been battling depression for the last 30 years and I am only 37. I have had ups and down and days where I certainly did not want to live anymore. I experienced severe bullying and parental neglect. I felt lost and hopeless hundreds of times, but I pulled through and I am so glad to be here to …
A Story to Teach Kids to Calmly Respond to the Word No
If you have read my articles on positive behavior support, you know that I am not a big fan of simply using the word “no” when it comes to telling kids what they can’t have. Research and my own experiences show that telling kids what they can have instead, empathizing with their feelings, offering choices, and explaining the reason for …
5 Great Activities to Do with Your Social Skills Group
Working in the public school system for many years, I often heard guidance counselors asking for advice about the kinds of activities they should do with their social skills groups. Students in the group often had difficulty with skills such as listening, waiting their turn in conversation, staying on topic, sharing materials, understanding another person’s feelings, getting along with others, …
Help Your Child Find Their Voice (Part 1)
When September begins, families everywhere rev up for another school year. Some children view the start of a new school year as the opportunity to re-connect with old friends, participate in extra-curricular activities, and learn exciting new subjects. For some children though the dawn of a new school year is preparing to go to battle. Another year in the trenches …
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