Psyched About School

We see it all the time-using some type of prize to reward good behavior.  As psychologists we learned, from the work of B.F. Skinner, that behavior is determined by consequences, reinforcements or punishments, which make it more or less likely that the behavior will be repeated.  The thought of actually removing these rewards probably makes some of us really nervous. In  this article  from Mind/Shift , a high school in Florissant, Missouri did just that. They changed their lesson plans to incorporate character development into their curriculum, creating a new school mission statement that put character at the center. Students that were most challenging for teachers often responded most positively. Although this particular school was a special education school only, with most students receiving free and reduced lunch and many in foster care, the results were impressive: 89% graduate, 87% report feeling safe at school and attendance rates hover at 90%. Stephanie Vall...

Does helping your student with math homework make you anxious? There's an app for that! According to a study by the University of Chicago, using Bedtime Math  with your child can improve math achievement. The study found that children that frequently used the app with their parents were three months ahead in math achievement relative to children who just used a reading app. Improvement was even noted in children that only used the app once a week. Parents can sign up for Bedtime Math by email on the website or through the free app. There are many different topics included to grab the attention of all children. This is a quick and easy way to encourage math with your child, as it only takes 5 minutes a day. The app is available for iPhone/iPad and Android and is available in English AND Spanish. Each fact is followed by math riddles for wee ones, little kids and big kids. This nightly math fun can be used with all ages. Here are two articles discussing the research behind the Be...

We wanted to share a website with you that speaks to common misunderstandings about suicide.  It is from the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health and we hope you will find it both user friendly and informative.   Suicide Myths One of the most common myths we hear is listed first on this page: that talking about suicide or asking someone if they feel suicidal will encourage suicide.  In fact, if the individual can talk about suicidal feelings, this is often the first step in getting help.  The site has also links to sections on what parents can do, youth protective factors, youth risk factors, warning signs, prevention, and information on depression.

On August 13 th , Target announced that they will begin to sell sensory-friendly clothing. Target plans to add 12 pieces to their “Cat and Jack” children’s brand. The clothing pieces will feature heat transferred labels and flat seams. You can find the sensory-friendly clothing exclusively on Target.com. To learn more, visit: Target.com  or  Today.com

In response to the devastation created by Hurricane Harvey last week and in anticipation of the potential of  Hurricane Irma, we wanted to share some resources that may be useful for counselors, teachers, parents, family members and others who provide support to children. Natural Disaster Resources This information from the National Association of School Psychologists provides a number of resources, such as a printable fact sheet, and information on students who may experience relocation as the result of a natural disaster. On this page, you can also find a Tip Sheet in Spanish:  Spanish Resource.

The start of a new school year seems like a great time to talk about the importance of regular attendance.  Perhaps that's why Attendance Works, a national and state initiative that promotes better policy and practice around school attendance, chose the month of September as School Attendance Awareness Month. Did you know that absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year?  Half the students who miss 2-4 days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school.  Absenteeism and its ill effects start early.  One in 10 kindergarten and first grade students are chronically absent.  It probably will not surprise you to learn that poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade or be held back.  By 6th grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.  Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school year, ...

You have probably noticed that we haven't posted since starting the 2017-18 school year.  Our staff of school psychologists have been busy preparing for the year by attending workshops, reviewing student files, and getting to know all the new faces at our schools.  Some of us have also been mourning the end of summer break.  You may have seen this expression on our faces: During September, look for posts on how to support students following natural disasters and answer their questions about the unrest happening around the world.  We will also share blogs about the myths surrounding suicide and ways to remove rewards to focus on motivation and character.  Stay tuned!!!