CHILD THERAPY
UnderachievementStrategies to help underachieving children:
. Look for learning disabilities; hearing and vision problems; drug or alcohol abuse. . Enforce homework. Monitor assigned work by teachers . From kindergarten on, set up a regular time and place for students to do homework. . If there isn't any homework use the time for silent reading or playing an educational game. . Check for progress and communication with teachers. Don't wait for progress reports or report cards. . Find a fun hook that's not directly school-related to get kids interested in learning. For younger children, this might be improving their reading so they can figure out video-game directions. For older ones, it might be volunteer work in a field of interest or connecting with a mentor in a career they hope to pursue. . Be consistent in enforcing rules and clearly stating expectations . Insist middle- or high-school students use a daily planner to write down homework and upcoming tests and projects. . Build on your child's talents and interests. Look for alternative magnet schools, for example. . Track assignments on wall or table calendars where assignment due dates, and break down dates can be clearly seen (i.e., pages to be read per day). . Help children balance their extracurricular activities. . Don't compare your child to others. "He may not be like you or the child down the block," said Anne Rambo, author of "I Know My Child Can Do Better." "Enjoy your child for who he is and affirm his strengths. . Establish clear rules and expectations and be ready to give appropriate consequences to match behavior . Find tutoring as needed or alternatively, you may hire "study buddy," a high-school junior or senior to help students finish homework. |
Depression and AnxietySygns of Depression in Children:
. Irritability or anger. . Sadness, hopelessness. . Social withdrawal. . Increased sensitivity to rejection. . Changes in appetite. . Ssleeplessness or excessive sleep. . Vocal outbursts or crying. . Difficulty concentrating. . Fatigue and low energy. . Physical complaints (such as stomachaches, headaches) that do not respond to treatment Bullying and CyberbullyingHow do you know your child is beeing bullied:
. Comes home with torn, damaged, or missing pieces of clothing, books, or other belongings . Has unexplained cuts, bruises, and scratches . Has few, if any friends, with whom he or she spends time . Seems afraid of going to school, riding the school bus, or taking part in organized activities with peers . Takes a long, "illogical" route when walking to or from school . Has lost interest in school work . Appears sad, moody, teary, or depressed . Complains frequently of physical ailments . Has trouble sleeping or has nightmares . Experiences a loss of appetite . Is anxious and suffers from low self-esteem Opposition and DefianceSings of Defiance:
Temper tantrums . Argumentativeness . Refusal to comply with adult requests or rules . Annoying others deliberately . Blaming others . Touchy and is easily annoyed . Angry and resentmentful . Spiteful or vindictive |