A study published in December in the Journal of Adolescence, suggests that altruistic behaviors, including large and small acts of kindness, may raise teens’ feelings of self-worth. However, not all helping behaviors are the same. The researchers found that adolescents who assisted strangers reported higher self-esteem one year later. Read more »
A recent study, published in the Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, suggests that different groups of people also talk about depression differently. In particular, poorer black kids discuss their feelings of depression differently than other demographic groups. Read more »
Researchers found that teens who spent a lot of time in front of screen devices — playing computer games, using more social media, texting and video chatting — were less happy than those who invested time in non-screen activities like sports, reading newspapers and magazines, and face-to-face social interaction. The happiest teens used digital media for less than an hour per day. But after a daily hour of screen time, unhappiness rises steadily along with increasing screen time. Read more »
The ability to exercise self-control — even with a specific, self-imposed goal in mind — is tough, even as it develops with age. New research from the Harvard Graduate School of Education illustrates just how precarious willpower can be for young people: Middle school students who want to achieve a goal and who actively agree to suffer a consequence if they don’t achieve it may still be unable to change their counterproductive behaviors. It’s a reminder for teachers that simply encouraging students to “stay focused” may not help those students cultivate positive habits. Read more »
In focusing on the positive, teachers can foster better academic and personal outcomes for students.
Nina Parrish, a special educator with seven years’ experience as a public school teacher and seven more as a private tutor writes in article published in Edutopia that, “focusing on the positive” is one of her most effective teaching techniques. Read more »
Learning about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual communities and the issues impacting these communities is a life-long process. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Resource Center at the University of California, Davis is a dynamic, responsive and collaborative organization that serves UC Davis and the surrounding region by providing a growing spectrum of programs, resources, outreach and advocacy. Read more »
Does your child takes forever to get dressed, always lose her homework, or not seem to be able to complete a task? Your child probably has Executive Function challenges.
In this session, Jude Wolf, Ed.D., Director of the Center for Learning Success Kehillah Jewish High School in Palo Alto, discusses the ways in which you can help your elementary school child develop some important Executive Function skills. Read more »
Bullying can take place anywhere and comes in many different forms. Unfortunately, many young people are, at one time or another, bullied, harassed, or abused on social media platforms. To combat bullying, Facebook created a Bullying Prevention Hub, which is an online resource center with suggestions for teens, parents and educators on how to address bullying — both online and off. Read more »
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Every student who gets special education is covered by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In many areas, IDEA leaves room for states to interpret the rules and pass their own laws on how to apply them. Read more »
