(1-minute read) Why do kids get anxious about change, such as a change to a new day camp or sleep away camp? Well, for the same reason that many of us adults would get anxious about any kind of major change in our lives. Think – new job, new business, new neighborhood, new home, new […]
When a child is anxious about … going to a new camp Read More »
(1-minute read) I was working with Esther, a sweet fourth grader, who stayed indoors on weekends and would not go out to play with her neighbors. She gave me lots and lots of reasons why there was no point in even trying. Over the past few months, we had worked on play skills, conversation skills,
Were you actually going to punish her for that? Read More »
(2-minute read) Question: My 9th grade daughter refuses to go to sleep-away camp because she says that she doesn’t have any friends. She doesn’t want to go to a local day camp either for the same reason. She’s a very bright student and I’ve told her numerous times to just have conversations with her peers,
Should I throw my child into a social situation? Read More »
(3-minute read) Would medication solve the problem?? I completed an evaluation for a 2nd grade girl whose biggest struggle seemed to be distractibility. It was two-thirds into the school year, and while all students opened the book to the correct page very quickly, the student I was evaluating was “too distracted” and would take forever
The Teacher Is Complaining That My Child Is Distracted… Read More »
(3-minute read) Question: Dear Devora, My 8th grade daughter is dreading camp. She knows that it is seven weeks away and is counting down anxiously. Some days, she cries herself to sleep, and other days, she is just irritable. Do I just keep her home instead of making her endure the torture? Answer: Dear Dreading
My Child Hates Camp Read More »
(30-second read) Hi All, I am writing a mini-behavior book on the topic of preparing for Pesach and the Seder Night. I’d like to share it with all of you before yomtov so that you can read it with your children and students. I’m inviting all our blog members to share the concerns that they’d
What would you like to see in the mini-book “Shimon’s Pesach Adventure? Read More »
(2-minute read) Dear Devora, I observed the following during a home observation and was wondering what strategies you’d recommend. Sarah threw something and mom said, “I think that might hurt someone.” Sarah continued to throw train tracks off the table and mom said, “I really don’t think we should throw this.” Sarah threw it anyway.
What would I do differently? Read More »
(1-minute read) My professor Rabbi Dr. Yosef Glanz recently taught me a memory strategy. It happens to work fabulously well with RGBT. By the way, it can be used to help kids (and adults) remember ANYTHING they wish to remember. And of course, I have been applying this memory strategy to help kids learn social
How to get kids to remember all the Reds and Greens Read More »
(3-minute read) Circles of Closeness Our actions and inactions bring people closer or push them away. Which one are you doing? Last week, I mentioned Chaim, an 11-year-old boy whom I recently started seeing. One of our goals is for him to learn how to develop better relationships with the people in his life, including
Are you “Bringing Closer” or “Distancing?” Read More »
(2-minute read) Love vs. Respect Love is DOING what someone wants or likes. Respect is NOT DOING what someone doesn’t want or like. Chaim, an 11-year-old boy I recently started working with, has been complaining heavily that his brothers (some older and some younger than him) are really mean to him. The truth is, they
Love vs. Respect – Which is more important? Read More »
