To Risk
Risk taking is an essential skill for young people to learn. Teenagers are often accused of engaging in excessively risky behaviour. Yet this is not always the case; some young people don’t like to take many risks at all. We need to teach young people to take calculated risks. Often teenagers and children lack foresight. They don’t think beyond the …
Read MoreMySpace and Social Networking
MySpace and FaceBook are the most well known social networking sites available to young people. A fourteen year old girl once told me that she spent over 5 hours one night working on her MySpace profile. She was updating her profile and sending messages to her friends. When I asked how much time she spent on home work, she replied, …
Read MoreTeaching and Parenting Teenagers
All teenagers need clear expectations. They need structure, clear consequences and a consistent approach. Developmentally, teenagers are seeking: Independence Control Choice and Identity Teachers and parents need to model ideal behaviours. Imposing heavy-handed discipline sets up unnecessary confrontation which is often counter productive. It is important to talk about ideal behaviours, to be more reflective, and to find constructive and …
Read MoreRaising Smart Kids
There was a recent article about raising smart kids in Scientific American Mind (Vol 18, No.6). The main idea conveyed was the need to foster a ‘growth’ mind set in learners. Apparently, the key to success at school is not so much intelligence as it is effort. Research suggests that while our society values superior intelligence and ability, an over-emphasis on …
Read MoreWechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC – IV)
The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children is referred to as the WISC. (No, not that type of whisk!) The WISC consists of a series of short sub tests that are used to assess cognitive ability. Usually the scores are consistent across the lifespan.
Read MoreCyber Safety
Technology can be of immense benefit but unfortunately it can also be used to cause harm to others. For example, it is often much easier to make a hurtful comment via text in an instant message, email or SMS, than to say the same thing in person. Cyber Safety is an essential responsibility for educators, parents and students. What is …
Read MoreThe importance of School Psychologists, Counsellors, and Student Welfare workers
Most of the inspiration for this blog will come from my work as an educational psychologist in a school and in private practice. I will reflect on my daily experiences and provide tips, resources and useful information for counsellors and psychologists working within a school environment. I will also provide general tips and advice for teachers, parents and students on …
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