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School

Talking to Kids (or NOT) About What Happened in Connecticut

by Betsy on Dec.15, 2012, under Adolescents, Communication, Environmental influences, Parent modeling, Parenting, Safety, School, Sensitive Topics

There are no good words to explain to anyone—let alone to kids—what happened at the elementary school in Connecticut this morning. The horrific incident is every parent’s worst nightmare, unfathomable and unspeakable. The air is heavy with the horror. The president of our country wept during his... Read more...

:Connecticut killings; Talking to kids about Connecticut; Safety; Child Safety;, Explaining Connecticut tragedy 17 Comments

Children Should Be Seen and HEARD

by Betsy on Feb.06, 2012, under Adolescents, Behavior, Child development, Communication, Environmental influences, Parent modeling, Parenting, Relationships, Safety, School, Sensitive Topics, Toddlers

The horror at Miramonte Elementary School in Los Angeles has my blood boiling, to say nothing of my stomach turning in disgust. The story is still unfolding, layers added every day. (A 30 year veteran third grade teacher, uncovered by a photo lab technician who alerted police... Read more...

:Safety; Child Safety; Safety in school; Child Sexual Abuse; Teachers and sexual abuse; Teachers' lewd conduct; Communicating with children; Listenting to children 12 Comments

Fifty Years Later

by Betsy on Oct.04, 2010, under Learning, Peers, Relationships, School, Transitions

I answered the door at 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning, to find a good looking, gray haired gentleman. “Yes?” I said, somewhat perturbed that my racing to set up for the 12:30 p.m event was being interrupted. “I am Jeff Hearn” said the guest who was supposed to... Read more...

:classmates, Education, Elementary School, interactive learing, Peers, School, Teachers 3 Comments

Call Off the Race

by Betsy on Sep.15, 2010, under Environmental influences, Expectations, Learning, Parenting, School

For months I’ve waited for the chance to see Race to Nowhere, an incredible documentary film. The trailer was circulated around the web ages ago and caught my eye. I tell you now, run, don’t walk, to see it. (www.racetonowhere.com). That’s how important it is. When... Read more...

:classes, Down time, Enrichment classes, extra curricular activities, Homework, New school year, Overscheduling, Pressure, Race to Nowhere, School, Stress 5 Comments

Smoothing the Start of the School Year

by Betsy on Aug.10, 2010, under Discipline, Parenting, School, Transitions

It’s August...three, four, even five more weeks of summer vacation depending upon your child’s first day of school. Summer time and the livin’ is (still) easy! Even though the consistent, routinized school year schedule actually makes life easier for most children and parents, getting back into the swing... Read more...

:attitude, Limits, New school year, Routines, rules, School transitions 1 Comment

Bffs Rock!

by Betsy on Jun.25, 2010, under Adolescents, Child development, Parent modeling, Peers, Relationships, School

I just hung up the phone from my very own bff who was rushing to her mother’s hospital bedside in San Diego. Her world is falling apart. Loaded with her own issues of life and work and now her very ill mother, she needed to complain and... Read more...

:Best friends, BFF, bullying, Gossip, Modeling, social skills, Values 3 Comments

The 4 R’s

by Betsy on Apr.16, 2010, under Environmental influences, Learning, Parenting, Peers, Relationships, School

What an amazing experience I had last weekend when I lunched with two women with whom I went to elementary school, one of whom I have not seen since I graduated from 6th grade. Seriously! Keep in mind that I graduated from Seeds UES in Los Angeles,... Read more...

:Peers, Relationships, School, Teachers 1 Comment

“My child got the bad teacher.”

by Betsy on Oct.04, 2009, under Parent modeling, Parenting, School

Every one of us had a teacher she will never forget. She was the best teacher ever! And each of us had a teacher who was, well, not a favorite at all. How great it would be if every teacher was special, was a winner. Welcome to the world... Read more...

:Back to school, New school year, Relationships, Teachers Leave a Comment

A Spirit of Optimism

by Betsy on Sep.25, 2009, under Character traits, Parent modeling, Parenting, School

My teacher friend, Barbara, retold the wonderful story of a little boy in her new Pre K class. She was reading the class a particular book the plot of which was getting tense. The little guy interrupted her reading and announced, "Let's look on the bright side,... Read more...

:Back to school, negativity, Optimism, School, Stress 2 Comments

Sabotaging September and the Start of School

by Betsy on Aug.29, 2009, under Behavior, School

As much as you looked forward to school being out last June, there is something to be said for school being back in session in September..for kids anyway. You loved the lazy days of summer--the care free schedule, the lack of pressure, the slower pace. And... Read more...

:Back to school, New school year, Stress 3 Comments