How to Help an Anxious Child

Sometimes anxiety is easy to identify — like when a child is feeling nervous before a test at school. Other times anxiety in the classroom can look like something else entirely — an upset stomach, disruptive or angry behavior, fears, ADHD, or even a learning disorder. There are many types of anxiety but they all have one thing in common....they tend to "lock up the brain."

Here is an article with tips on handling anxiety in kids at school and at home by respecting their feelings without empowering fears. Take a moment to read the advice.

https://childmind.org/article/what-to-do-and-not-do-when-children-are-anxious/

Perspective: Are you able to change yours?

You don't need me to tell you that conflict is part of human interaction. This is a fact in every social aspect of our lives....work, school, home, and community. Perspective taking is that all important skill of being able to look at things from a point of view other than our own. Perspective taking brings in the mindfulness of compassion and empathy to our relationships. And learning how to do this can be difficult, even for adults.

At PRAES, we have been learning about perspective taking and how it can help us in our daily interactions with others. If we can see and feel how others may be feeling in a situation, then we are able to be more caring and empathetic in our response to them. Kindness...inclusiveness.....caring....understanding; it's what we've been working on all year!

I've been teaching about perspective taking recently in the 3rd and 4th grade classrooms. The students have been so involve and interactive during this lesson and it makes it so fun!  I start by reading this book but I don't show them the illustrations.

Then we the discuss their thoughts and perspectives about what could be happening and somewhere along the way, someone realizes that the illustrations and thoughts are from the ants' perspective! Incredible! Then the discussion really gets going. We then come up with a working definition of perspective and it usually boils down to "learning to see someone else's point or view." Then, in groups, the students fill out a sheet where they draw their thoughts and perspectives and then write what "really" is happening.

They choose a person, a group, or an idea of their own and put it in the center. Then they try to see how people might feel about what they chose. They were so thoughtful and imaginative! I think that sometimes kids can view things from a better vantage point than some of us adults. Maybe because they have not formed such strong opinions or have become stuck in their thoughts. So, let's all take some lessons from kids and try to be more understanding, more empathetic and look at things from someone else's perspective. It could open up a whole new world!

September is National Suicide Prevention Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month

During this month, individuals and organizations will be drawing attention the the problem of suicide and advocating to prevent this terrible tragedy. Suicide is a national health problem that currently ranks as the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 10 – 24.  Suicide is also one of the leading causes of preventable death in our nation. 

The Jason Foundation is currently planning events to spread the word and awareness about suicide. If you click on the link above, it will take you to a site that has information about the challenge they are using to raise awareness about this silent epidemic that is stealing our youth.

#BeThe1To is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s message for National Suicide Prevention Month and beyond, which helps spread the word about actions we can all take to prevent suicide. The Lifeline network and its partners are working to change the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention, to actions that can promote healing, help and give hope.

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