How a Special Ed Teacher's Simple Idea is Making a Big Difference
Here's proof that an idea doesn't have to be complicated to go a long way. Just ask special education teacher Sadie Guthrie. A video from SoulPancake puts the spotlight on Guthrie, a special education teacher at Lawton Alternative School in San Francisco, for its Class Act series, which highlights inspiring teachers. Using a cart to sell coffee and pastries, Guthrie helps her students learn real world skills. The video shows footage of the students asking teachers for orders
Getting your Kid to Talk about School
As the first day of school quickly approaches, parents are asking me how to get their kids to talk to them more about school. We parents want information! We feel that in exchange for our nurturance and worry and everything we did to get them ready for school, we should at least get to know what's happening there! StartFragment So how can you get more than a "fine" out of your kids when you ask them "How was school?" Drawing on techniques from some of the most brilliant peopl
10 Do's & Don't's for a Successful Start to Kindergarten
My "big girl" is starting school next week. We have gone to her school and met some of the teachers, the principal, and done a little tour. Despite being told multiple times we were just there to finalize paperwork, she insisted on packing her backpack, bringing a snack, and was disappointed when we left her school after a half hour. While my sweet, eager little girl is only attending preschool for the first time, it got me thinking of how actual school isn't that far off. He
Why I'm Nervous About the First Day of School for my Sons with Autism
The first day of school for my sons, Justin and Tyler, is getting close. This is going to be the first time in more than six years that I've only had one kid to take care of for most of the day (their baby brother). The first time I'm going to have a little free time in I don't know how long. I'm not going to be a complete ball of nerves most of the day, trying to take care and manage three very different personalities who all want my attention and never in the same way. To s
ADHD Secrets my Teacher should Know
Dear Teacher, as we prepare for another day of school together, can we pause for a moment? We have gone through my checklist, gathering everything I need for the day's subjects. But did we go through your checklist? Both of us need to feel successful. Since you have helped me understand how you want me to prepare for school, here is my checklist for you. StartFragment > DO YOU HAVE MY ATTENTION? It is hard to tell by looking at me sometimes, becuase I don't always make eye c
Ease the Anxiety of Back to School
When a child has extra needs, as my oldest does, it creates challenges when preparing to go back to school. I was pleasantly surprised when I realized that the techniques I have learned to keep the transition as smooth as possible actually help me with my younger two! My youngest just started daycare, and we did it without any issues. I call that a parenting win! School is starting soon, and you probably know all the basics: supplies, new clothes and, if you can bribe, I mean
Handling those Back-to-School Meltdowns
A few years ago, a small miracle in learning occurred in the home of a single mom whose third grader melted down about his homework. Karen had taken Jamal to the dentist. He'd missed two hours of school, and didn't know his homework assignment. Learning was a daily struggle for him. When he realized that he couldn't reach his teacher, he exploded, upset about falling behind once again. He cried long and hard. His mom stayed with him. At the lowest point, he stormed from room
10 Ways You and Your Child can Survive End-of-School Madness
The last few weeks at my house have been pretty hectic with all the end-of-school-year demands placed on my two teenagers before the academic year ends. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about - extra after-school group study sessions for upcoming AP tests and final exams; longer homework sessions due to class projects; preparation for the big orchestra recital and homework craft projects that include glue, colored paper and glitter. In order to help my kids complete all of
"I'm Too Upset to Learn" - Handling Difficult Emotions at School
Sometimes, our children will be faced with difficult emotions at school -- and be unsure of how to handle them. Teaching them these techniques can help them feel in control. One evening, several months ago, my 10-year-old son, Mark, was getting upset over simple things. After the second meltdown, I knew something was up. We went for a short walk and had a talk. "Tell me what's really going on." "I spilled my drink!" "I know that's upsetting. But you're having a '10-mile react
The Drama of the Anxious Child
When I was first studying psychology, thirty years ago, I learned that about 10-20% of children are born with a temperament that is highly reactive to anything new and unfamiliar. Some of these children go on in life to be anxious, timid or shy (or, as we shy people like to say, "slow to warm up.") A much smaller number of children, about 1-5% were diagnosed at that time with a full-fledged anxiety disorder. Nowadays, there are still 10-20% with that reactive temperament, but