KEYS TO ONLINE SAFETY AND RESPONSIBILITY Remember when social media came in “chat rooms,” and kids were advised not to share their real names with online strangers? Picture today’s middle school student trying to grasp that concept. The Basics of Safe Surfing Although online threats are most likely to come as con artists and propaganda propagators, it’s still wise for young … [Read more...] about KEYS TO ONLINE SAFETY AND RESPONSIBILITY
TALKING WITH KIDS ABOUT TOUGH ISSUES
TALKING WITH KIDS ABOUT TOUGH ISSUES Once upon a time, children’s natural innocence was preserved as long as possible—which wasn’t always for the best. Many children fell victim to abuse because it had never occurred to them that evil adults existed. When a guilty secret touched the whole family, kids were aware that something was wrong, and inability to get an explanation often led them to … [Read more...] about TALKING WITH KIDS ABOUT TOUGH ISSUES
10 WAYS TO HELP CHILDREN DEVELOP EMPATHY
10 WAYS TO HELP CHILDREN DEVELOP EMPATHY If you’d like to help society kick the public-insults habit, help teach the next generation to consider things from other viewpoints. Here are some ideas. 1. Set an Example If you complain about others behind their backs or pound out nasty comments on social media, your kids are virtually guaranteed to pick up those habits. If you’re kind and … [Read more...] about 10 WAYS TO HELP CHILDREN DEVELOP EMPATHY
10 WAYS TO KEEP PREJUDICE OUT OF YOUR CLASSROOM
10 WAYS TO KEEP PREJUDICE OUT OF YOUR CLASSROOM Schoolchildren bring their own learned ideas into class. What does a teacher do when someone: For that matter, how do you defuse more subtle prejudices in students and yourself? 1. Ask Yourself Honestly: Is There Any Type of Person I Dislike? If so, you’ll need to make extra effort to understand students who represent that … [Read more...] about 10 WAYS TO KEEP PREJUDICE OUT OF YOUR CLASSROOM
COPING WITH A CHILD’S MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL DISABILITY
COPING WITH A CHILD’S MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL DISABILITY Family life comes with challenges. But your family challenges may be greater than average if: A child has Down syndrome or another intellectual disability. A child has severe autism. A child has unusual difficulty learning reading, writing, or math. A child (or, more often, a teenager) has clinical depression, schizophrenia, drug … [Read more...] about COPING WITH A CHILD’S MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL DISABILITY