Blogs
Reduce anxiety: Create a safe classroom and school environment
There is often no single cause for anxiety. Common risk factors include having a parent with anxiety, stressful life events, health issues, frequent lack of sleep, neurodevelopmental disorders, learning disabilities and temperament. Children who are exposed to one or more stressful or traumatic life events are more likely to have high levels of anxiety. Such
Read more
Unmotivated students: build your capacity as a teacher
As mid-year approaches and reports are prepared, the issue of how to better assist disengaged and unmotivated students often comes to the forefront. Unmotivated children tend to opt out, do the bare minimum required and can be difficult to teach. They may be unwilling to participate in discussions, frequently look bored, tune out, distract others,
Read more
New ebooklet available – Working with children who are depressed (and helping prevent depression)
Depression is a mental illness that negatively affects thinking, perceptions, emotions and behaviours. The impact of depression on a child is more severe than any other mental health disorder. [1] Lawrence D, Johnson S, Hafekost J, Boterhoven De Haan K, Sawyer M, Ainley J, Zubrick SR (2015) The Mental Health of Children and Adolescents. Report …
Read more
Together for a better internet
By Sandra English Psych4Schools Guest Blogger The online behaviour of young people attracts significant discussion, with some experts attributing negative outcomes, including mental health issues to online engagement. Some studies have noted that the increased time spent time on social media may contribute to negative body image [1], sleeping difficulties [2] or symptoms of depression.[3]
Read more
Technologies for students with dyslexia: Part 2 Writing
By Jemima Hutton Psych4Schools Guest Blogger Dear teachers, This is the second of two blogs, the first related to reading, and this one to writing. Both use scenarios to help you consider ways to implement digital technologies in your classroom. I have specifically written this way in the hope that you will act, not
Read more
Technologies for students with dyslexia: Part 1 Reading
By Jemima Hutton Psych4Schools Guest Blogger Dear teachers, At 19 years of age, I still act like a total child when it comes to writing something like this blog. I am simply overwhelmed and quite frankly, intimidated by the enormity of the task. The irony of a dyslexic writing about how other dyslexics can engage
Read more
Separation anxiety is part of normal childhood development. It begins around six months of age and typically resolves by the time children complete preschool. A healthy level of separation anxiety indicates the development of a close bond and attachment to the primary caregiver. However, about 4 per cent of primary school age children experience excessive
Read more
Welcome back to our Members and eNews Subscribers. A special welcome to new members who have joined in recent days. This is a busy time of year as teachers, support staff and other school professionals meet new students, organise programs, teaching and learning activities and resources. We would like to share five ideas that you
Read more
Psych4Schools consulting psychologist role
Would you like to work with Psych4Schools? Consult with us for up to 5 hours a week working from home or other suitable locations in your State or Territory. This role involves research, creation and development of publishable materials and assisting with social media. You will be registered by the Psychology Board of Australia and
Read more
Is there a lonely child in your classroom?
By Guest Blogger Melbourne Psychologist Jeannine Mills It’s normal to feel lonely every now and then but feeling lonely a lot of the time can be worrying. Loneliness is a ‘disconnection from others and refers to a negative perception of one’s relationships’[1]Peplau & Perlman 1982, referenced in M. H. Lim, (August 2018) Is Loneliness Australia’s
Read more
New release: Updated Intellectual Disability (revised) ebooklet
This week we released the revised Working with children with intellectual disability (revised) ebooklet. The revised ebooklet includes recommendations for how to help students with a mild to moderate intellectual disability in the classroom. Topics covered include: Working with a teachers aide and others in the classroom General classroom strategies Giving instructions Make reasonable adjustments to
Read more
A few years ago, I worked with Toby*, a Year 2 boy with dyslexia who was having trouble controlling his anger in the classroom. When he perceived tasks as too hard he would scrunch up work, throw pens, workbooks and other materials, sometimes yell, swear, and on rare occasions hit and push other students. Over
Read more
Resources to help students make and keep friends
At this time of the year peer acceptance and friendship issues often come to a head, requiring teacher support to assist children to manage and resolve their difficulties. Whatever the time of the year, children and adolescents who find it difficult to make friends frequently feel lonely and unhappy. They are also at risk of
Read more
NEW RELEASE: Difficulty making friends ebooklet
Friendship offers opportunities for sharing, learning, fun, excitement, self-disclosure, support, advice and long-term relationships. For many children, making and keeping friends is quite effortless, but for some it is a challenge. Sadly, about one in ten school-age children have no friends and are disliked by most of their classmates.[1] Asher, S.R., and Williams, G.A., (1996) Children
Read more
NAPLAN is possibly the most emotionally charged acronym in Australian education. The mere mention of NAPLAN can trigger stress, anxiety, blame, and passionate emotional debate. Whether you agree or disagree with the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are expected to participate. Now is a
Read more
Zoe talks about parental anxiety on Nightlife ABC radio
On Friday night Sarah Macdonald spoke to Zoe Ganim, Psych4Schools, Prof. Jennifer Hudson, Macquarie University, and Susan Boyd, P&C Federation, about anxious parents on the Nightlife Program on ABC radio. They spoke about what anxiety is, are there more anxious parents now than in previous generations, will the children be anxious, and how to manage
Read more