Psyched About School

As we roll into summer, we all just want to kick back and relax.  Although this might seem like a good idea, it is important to maintain a routine to reduce stress for both the parents and the kids. Here is a blog we posted last year that is worth re-visiting! http://schoolpsychws.blogspot.com/2015/06/keeping-summer-routine.html If you are looking for some fun and educational activities to keep your kids occupied and learning over the summer, check out these ideas from Edutopia: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/summer-learning-resources-matt-davis

We all wonder what to do on a rainy day with our young children to keep them engaged and learning. There are so many great resources on the web but here are just a few to help get through those rainy days (or spring break) until they go away. These sites offer an engaging experience for students to experience the world and beyond. They are appropriate for children PreK through 5th grade. Check them out and see what adventure your children will take you on! PBS Kids Lab National Geo KIDS Smithsonian Kids collecting Explore Dinosaurs NASA quest My wonderful world TIME for kids

Camp Carousel has now posted their 2016 summer dates: Camp Carousel will be held from Monday July 18 through July 22. Most of us have heard of Camp Carousel and refer our students and their families there when they have lost a loved one, or are grieving the death of a loved one. If you have not heard of it Camp Carousel it is offered through the Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Winston Salem. It is an annual week long retreat for children (6 and up), teens and adults. The camp utilizes a multitude of therapies to assist those in coping with the loss of a loved one. We are fortunate to have such a great resource locally. Several aspects of HPCC’s Camp Carousel—in addition to its longevity—make it unique:  Camp Carousel is open to children (rising first graders through rising high school seniors), teens, and adults who are mourning the death of a loved one. Camp Carousel is offered throughout the course of an entire week, giving participants the opportunity to “practice”...

With school finally over, this last link is for everyone at home with kids this summer. I think kids do best when there is some predictability in their lives, even during the summer months. I know, I know, summer is supposed to be all about sleeping in, relaxing, and having fun. I agree, it is! However, a little routine will probably lead to less stress for everyone, parents and kids alike. The author of this blog has some great ideas for keeping your summer running smoothly and teaching kids how to get a few things done around the house. I hope everyone has a wonderful summer! See you in August! http://www.landeeseelandeedo.com/2015/04/creating-summer-routines-and-chore-charts.html

It is so important to keep children learning during the long summer days. While they can easily find good books to read, it is equally important for them practice math skills. Parents may struggle to locate math activities that will not meet with resistance. This website has lots of ideas for hands-on math activities that will reinforce math skills and be so much fun that children  may not realize they are learning! http://creeksidelearning.com/math-activities-for-kids/#_a5y_p=1872151

http://hospicecarecenter.org/events/camp-carousel-2015 I'm re-posting this blog I wrote last year about Camp Carousel.  This year's camp will be held July 27, 2015 through July 31, 2015.  As you will read in my post, it is a special camp for children dealing with grief and loss.   by Angela Smith, School Psychologist This is the time of year parents start thinking about summer camps.  As the mother of two active children, I like to plan our summer activities well in advance of the summer months.  In April of 2010, I was doing just that when my father passed away after a valiant six-year battle with cancer.  Although I had tried to prepare myself and my family for his passing, the reality is that you can never truly be ready for that time.  I immediately knew I would be adding Camp Carousel to the list of camps they would be attending that summer.  As a school psychologist with the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools for the pas...

If you are looking for a truly special book for your children to read this summer, consider this one.  This review pretty much sums up why it is such a good choice. http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2014/feb/02/review-wonder-r-j-palacio-review

Summer is right around the corner!  If you are looking for fun ways to keep your child learning during the summer months, this link has several good websites and resources. Fun and Free Summer Learning Resources | Edutopia