Somewhere between February and April, everyone's lifestyles changed drastically. COVID-19 has sent everybody home for the foreseeable in order to control the spread of the virus. On one hand, we have never been better-equipped for this kind of pandemic. Mobile devices and wifi, communication and learning platforms, cloud-shared documents, and video streaming: we're great at [...]
In some cultures where educational advancement ties to big examinations, student anxiety is very high, more often leading to suicide and other dramatic emotional outcomes. The situation is serious among students in the United States as well. "The Mental Health Tsunami" An article from the National Educational Association (NEA) quotes a kindergarten teacher as finding [...]
Middle school is a difficult period of growth and change for students. Not only are they experiencing changes in their body, but expectations in school are also changing. Students have recently grown out of their elementary school routines and are experiencing more responsibility. With more difficult content, kids may begin to struggle with their academic [...]
The teen years are a difficult period of transition for most people, even in the best of circumstances. Moodiness, emotional reactions to peer conflicts, and struggles with physical changes while growing are all typical and expected conditions of being a teen. However, today's teens are dealing with something that goes beyond normal teenage issues, and [...]
Today's educational world has parents more involved than they ever have been before. For one thing, the pressure to know what's going on with their children's grades has gotten much more intense. There's a sense that every class (even in elementary and middle school) is a make-or-break moment that could prevent the child from progressing [...]
"Mom, I just can't do it!" "I can't figure this out no matter how hard I try." "It's just too hard!" If your child is struggling in school, chances are, you've heard several of these statements--and as a parent, you want to help your student as much as possible. If your child continues to struggle, [...]
Are you young enough to remember what it was like to be a teenager? If you do, you also remember that you were excited about your future, probably worked hard in school to make that dream a reality, and probably did some things you now wish you could take back—like engaging in one or more [...]
You've heard of the "helicopter parents." These are the ones who hover over their little bundle of joy long past the age when they need that level of supervision. Helicopter parents are often ridiculed for being overprotective and too cautious, not giving their children space to grow and find their own footing in a complex [...]
Growing pains. Students experience a wide variety of "pains" during their formative years at school. While some of them are physical pains, many of them arise from mental and emotional challenges. These types of adversities can range from personal scholastic struggles to underserved, negative attention. No matter the cause, each student will face trials of [...]
The scope of the devastation from Hurricane Harvey is only beginning to be understood. The loss of life, property, and resources is extensive. Along with physical destruction, Harvey left behind gaping emotional wounds. Nobody is truly unaffected. People were directly impacted by the flooding, losing loved ones and or property in the hurricane. Others were affected by the terrifying news stories; [...]
