school – Parenting by Dr. Rene

Teachers: How to Answer Young Children’s Questions and Concerns About Stressful Community Events

Stressful events in the life of a child can include community stressors like the D.C. sniper shootings, our country making a declaration of war or a stock market crash. These community stressors impact the child based on how much they impact the child’s parents and how much information is being shared with the child, often … Continue reading Teachers: How to Answer Young Children’s Questions and Concerns About Stressful Community Events

What to Do When Your Child Says “I Don’t Wanna Go to School”

At some point, most children go through a phase of not wanting to go to school. For others, that push can ebb and flo for years. My younger daughter, Claire, has always had a difficult time going back after the Winter Break. There were tears in January throughout elementary school. Smooth, calm morning – I … Continue reading What to Do When Your Child Says “I Don’t Wanna Go to School”

Make the Most of Your Parent-Teacher Conferences: For Parents AND for Teachers

For Parents: Before Consider your compliments, questions and concerns – It is nice to be able to greet your child’s teacher with something pleasant. Conferences are also a time to share your concerns about your child, the class or the school, and to ask any questions that you have. It’s best to be prepared. Take … Continue reading Make the Most of Your Parent-Teacher Conferences: For Parents AND for Teachers

Please Don’t Worry About Labels or Early Services – Embrace Them

I work as a school and developmental psychologist at a few private schools and in my outside practice. In this role, there is a great deal of effort put into directing families to appropriate assessments and matching children with valuable services. While I understand a parent’s hesitation at the process (it’s big), and their worry … Continue reading Please Don’t Worry About Labels or Early Services – Embrace Them

A Great Start to the School Year

After a relaxing summer, getting into the school routine can be a tough transition. There are lots of small things to do to help the school year get off to a great start. Good night, good breakfast and calm morning – Do what you can the night before including pack lunches, pick outfits and review … Continue reading A Great Start to the School Year

Parents, Please Assume Positive Intent from Teachers

It’s the start of a new school year. This may be your first year of preschool, or your third year at an elementary school. Wherever your child is in their school career, there is always the possibility of your child having difficulty in the classroom or with the program. When this happens, it is often … Continue reading Parents, Please Assume Positive Intent from Teachers

Corrections Shouldn’t Feel Like Corrections

The theme this week is working through problem solving with your children. Our third guideline is ‘corrections shouldn’t feel like corrections.’ This guideline is easier to follow with younger children. When a two-year-old says, “I need a ram-baid,” we don’t tend to correct in a heavy way such as, “no, you said that wrong! It … Continue reading Corrections Shouldn’t Feel Like Corrections

Ask Them How They Want to Be Helped

Whether your four-year-old is working on a hard puzzle, or your fourth grader is struggling through math homework, when they ask for your help, start by asking them how they would like to be helped. If you swoop in and give them your brand of helping, you may be doing too much, which discourages independent … Continue reading Ask Them How They Want to Be Helped

Building Academic Motivation

Throughout your child’s education, it is important to build a sense of home-school connection. There is benefit for your child’s academic motivation if they feel you value their school, and that their school welcomes you. There are so many ways you can work to build this bridge. Take an interest in their progress – Ask … Continue reading Building Academic Motivation

Tips for Starting Kindergarten

The start of Kindergarten is an exciting time! If your child is starting this fall, there are many things you can be doing to get them ready. Preview the school – Spend some time this summer playing on the school’s playground. Visit their website with your child to view pictures and videos. If there is … Continue reading Tips for Starting Kindergarten