Psyched About School

I've read several articles lately about what it really means to be an introvert.  For many years, I was confused about that term and thought it meant that an individual was just shy and wanted to be left alone.  Turns out, this is a common misconception.  Introverts generally have only a few close friends, prefer solitary activities, enjoy listening more than talking, and may have trouble sharing their feelings.  When we see these characteristics in young children, we often try to encourage them to talk and socialize more with others.  This article from About provides a good description of what an introverted child might look like and why it is so important to understand, respect, and support that child. http://giftedkids.about.com/od/familylife/a/How-To-Raise-An-Introverted-Child.htm

How can we help our children feel confident in themselves?  I recently came across a book that helps facilitate the communication necessary for building that positive self-image.  The I Like  book has a very simple concept.  The parent or guardian (or teacher) writes down two things he or she likes about the child.  They do it daily or weekly or as often as possible.  I've been doing this with my children for the past few months.  I love the conversation generated and the proud smile on their faces.  To learn more about this book, visit their website at  http://www.theilikebook.com/category_s/1834.htm Here are four more simple ways for building self-confidence in our children from the Child Mind Institute: http://www.childmind.org/en/posts/articles/2015-7-14-4-small-ways-build-confidence-kids

Earlier this week we posted a blog about how more movement throughout the school day could increase student learning.  That article was looking at the importance of movement for elementary-age children.  This article from the Washington Post takes a look at how valuable it can be for middle school students.  And the author looks at it in a unique way-by going to a middle school and trying to follow the same schedule the students do.  To learn more about how her day went, visit  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2014/12/03/a-therapist-goes-to-middle-school-and-tries-to-sit-still-and-focus-she-cant-neither-can-the-kids/

When a teacher comes to me about classroom management, I love ideas that are are practical and easy to implement.  These strategies from Scholastic address some of the biggest problems in classrooms including disruptions, motivation, interruptions, and transitions.  They even have ideas for setting up a room to manage behaviors.  Although these strategies might work best at the elementary level, several of them could easily be adapted for middle school classrooms.  To learn more about these ideas, visit  http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/top-teaching/2016/01/10-classroom-management-strategies-really-work

With the rapid growth of technology these days, it is difficult to keep up with the latest devices and applications to support students.  This article from Understood.org tells the story of Jack, a 17-year-old tech whiz who also has dyslexia. When he was first diagnosed as a third grader, his parents had trouble getting him the support he needed.  Flash forward several years and we find that Jack is now helping teach students, educators, and parents about how to use technology to help students with dyslexia find academic success and overcome barriers to their learning.  He has even teamed with his sister, who also has dyslexia, to create a support group for middle and high school students called More Than Dyslexics.  To learn more about Jack's story, visit https://www.understood.org/en/community-events/blogs/making-a-difference/2015/12/22/teen-tech-whiz-with-dyslexia-shares-his-expertise-to-help-others?cm_ven=ExactTarget&cm_cat=01.12.16+Weekly+Newsletter&cm...

There is a lot of talk in educational circles about the benefits of increasing physical activity in students.  Observations from teachers who have tried this strategy suggest that students are more focused and less fidgety when given the opportunity to be active throughout the school day.  In this story from the Today Show, they visit a Fort Worth, Texas elementary school that is trying out the LiiNK Project ( http://liinkproject.tcu.edu/ ), whose goal is to develop the whole child through increased recess and character development.  To learn more about the positive results they are having, visit  http://www.today.com/parents/want-kids-listen-more-fidget-less-try-more-recess-school-t65536

I'm always looking for ways to help my children develop coping skills.  One of the biggest problems I see in students of all ages is that they cannot manage the stress in their lives.  They often engage in inappropriate or even harmful strategies to help alleviate their worries. Guided imagery uses visualization and imaginative techniques to build the mind-body connection.  For children, guided imagery is an especially good strategy because they are already naturally imaginative. It involves using a relaxation process along with a vivid story to help them cope with difficult feelings, reduce anxiety, or alleviate physical symptoms.  Parents and teachers have found guided imagery to be a way help children deal with stress, sleep problems, and test anxiety as well as other physical and emotional symptoms and disorders.  This article from Mindfulword.org touches on some of the research supporting the use of it with children.  It also gives suggestions and sc...

What are your thoughts on meditation?  If you're a skeptic, here is a good article from Forbes that explains some of the research they been doing on it and its health benefits, particularly how some schools are starting to use it and see positive benefits.  http://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2015/02/09/7-ways-meditation-can-actually-change-the-brain/

Summit School is holding their signature professional learning conference on February 16.  Workshops and sessions explore six central themes: Creating a Culture of Thinking Amplifying Design Thinking Reinventing Mathematics Studio Thinking in the Arts Mindful Learning Unlocking Creativity in Dyslexic Education To learn more or to register, visit  http://divergentsummit.org/

Alison has been a school psychologist for 10 years. This is her 6 th year in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. Alison serves the Walkertown area schools (elementary, middle, and high) and Carver High School. Alison’s favorite part of being a school psychologist is that she gets to interact with many different students. A little known fact about Alison is that she loves cars. She drives a heavily modded ScionxB that has an enormous stereo and even has some under glow lights. J  We appreciate you Alison (and your car)! 

Have you read our Department Newsletter this month?  In it, you can learn about the bilingual programs in our school system, resources for behavior problems, the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), and ways to support students who are having difficulty in reading.  Check it out! http://wsfcs.k12.nc.us/cms/lib/NC01001395/Centricity/Domain/47/December%202015.pdf

It was tough returning to work and school yesterday, not only for me but also for my children. Having two weeks without homework or any scheduled afterschool activities was absolutely wonderful.  Unlike most years, we did not travel to visit family so we found ourselves with lots of time on our hands.  Although that unscheduled time initially had me a bit stressed, we quickly discovered how important it is to just be together as a family.  Did my kids plug-in to their new Christmas devices?  Sure.  Did they fight some? Absolutely!  However, we also spent time playing games together, taking walks as a family, playing outside, and eating dinner together without being rushed to get somewhere.  Until I read this article yesterday, I had not thought about the importance to this unstructured time.  Even during summers, I tend to fill up our calendars with camps and activities.  During this break, there was none of that and it was great.  This ...

In our job as school psychologists, we often work closely with special education teachers.  I'm always struck by how much they do that does not involve teaching.  This article from NPR highlights how difficult their job can be.  Thank you to all of the "Ms. Johnsons" out there!  We appreciate all you do! http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/01/02/461590749/its-not-easy-teaching-special-ed