Dr. Tony Beliz just spoke about threat assessment for school violence, and he touched a few points about connection that I'd like to address. He's been in the field longer than I've been an adult, so his experience gives insight into the current state of education and quality of life our children are experiencing.
Read more8 Ways to Foster Creativity in the Classroom
Fostering creativity in the classroom, organized messes
As a kid, I often stared into the night sky immersed in the beauty of the stars. I thought about constellations and wondered if the moon was made of cheese. I also daydreamed about alien life and the potential future of humanity. It just seemed very possible that one day, the collective human culture could transcend the suffering and unnecessary corruption it currently experiences. These were my thoughts in elementary school.
Read more8 Ways to Promote Language in Young Children
I am an advocate of shaping the whole child, which includes the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical parts of a little person. I encourage the parents I work with, especially those in lower income situations, to promote language acquisition of their children as much as possible. There are countless studies indicating how important it is to develop a child's language the first few years of life. It is that crucial to the academic and internal success for a child's lifetime.
Read moreCommon Signs of a Stress Response
I'm attending a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) group training, and found some worksheets very beneficial. The breakdown of symptoms or reactions to acute stress can help individuals understand how differently people can respond to a traumatic event. I just wanted to share the PDF here:
Read more10 Benefits & 10 Negatives of Video Games
Online video games may assist people in gaining confidence, increasing leadership/team skills and trying out new identities. In Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs), collaborations can range from two to twenty players at a time. In order for mission completion, individuals must be able to communicate and carry out instructions as a team for mutual gains. Working together increases awareness of others as well as emotional regulation skills. When a group fails together, it may get frustrating, but success as a team also increases cohesion and a stronger sense of community. Being able to communicate effectively, especially through difficult situations, is an important skill that can be developed through online gaming.
Read morePlay: Is it Important for Children?
With our increased connection and dependence on technology, it may seem more of a hassle to make time for kids to play. A common perception of play is that it is a waste of time where academics or rote memorization would be more beneficial. Play, academics and memorization all serve a purpose, yet play is more beneficial than many may think. According to Siegel (2012) and Axline (1981) play is the natural language of children. This concept makes more sense when thinking of young children who are first discovering their worlds.
Read more