Presented by: Dr. Ellie Sroczynski

SMS School Psychologist

»Concrete Thinking

»Emotionality

»Skill Deficits

» Search for Identity/ Exploration

» Questioning of Authority

» Poor Decision-making

» Forgetting/ Spaciness

» Approach with EXTREME caution

˃ Timed Silence

˃ Action Talk

» Keep your emotions in check & model desired behavior

» Give concrete reasons and choices, when possible

» Provide a balance of guidance, monitoring, & independence

» Share thoughts, feelings, and goals/ desired behavior

» Use non-judgments and validations

» Focus on strengths & positive expectations

» Get their input (desires, feelings, goals, motivation)

» Healthy Eating Habits ˃ Breakfast ˃ Provide healthy choices ˃ Link food with healthy development ˃ Create a routine ˃ Try to eat more meals together ˃ Eat mindfully

» Exercise ˃ Choices ˃ Modeling ˃ Internal motivation vs. external motivation ˃ Support from others

»Hygiene ˃Speak openly & directly

˃Pass on resources for more comfort

»Sleep Routine ˃9-11 hours

˃Regular routine & location

˃Other ways to encourage sleep + Talk about problems at other times

+ Relaxing activities

+ Limit electronics

+ Think List

» Teaching/ Modeling

» Ease of Use

» Routine ˃ Consistent settings

˃ Consistent consequences

» Categorizing/ Chunking into Smaller Parts

» Planning Ahead ˃ Old Plan/ New Plan

˃ Space Maps

˃ Action Plan

˃ Scheduling

» VAK

Visual » Color coding

» Lists

» Reminders

» Pictures

» Note cards

» Consistent formats

Kinesthetic » Practice » Consistent locations » Student-written » Active » Strategy, Categorizing, and

Memory Games

» Reading/ saying out loud » Voice mail » Alarms/ Timers » Code words and phrases

» Music » Other people/ peers » NOT what you’ve told them

“a million times”

Auditory

» Success Skills ˃ Participation/ Asking questions

˃ Homework/ Studying

˃ Agenda

˃ Study Buddies/ Peer Tutoring

˃ Homework Club: 3:10 – 4 pm, 25 students

˃ Extra Help

˃ Teacher Contact

˃ Power School

˃ Make lists, prioritize assignments, check off accomplishments

Working Memory VAK/ Five Senses

Ask/ Answer questions

Make connections

Look for similarities and differences

Brainstorm related ideas (helps retrieve information also)

Visualizing

Sort into categories

Chunk information

Use key words

Study Plan Who: helpers, support system

What: area of focus

When: best times, 20-minute periods, breaks

Where: least distractions, not on bed

Why: goals, motivation

How: strategies for in class and at home

REVISIT AND REVISE AS NECCESSARY

» Test Prep ˃ Teacher System

˃ Encourage “active” studying

˃ STAR Method

+ Survey for items to answer quickly

+ Take time to read directions carefully

+ Answer questions that can be answered easily

+ Reread questions and answers and make corrections

˃ Move on if stuck

˃ Healthy Body Healthy Mind

˃ Review corrected test

˃ Teach anxiety-reducing methods, if necessary

+ Deep breathing & muscle relaxation

+ Remind self of what already know

+ Worst-case scenario

+ Positive self-talk or positive statement to self on top or back of paper

» Problem-Solving ˃ Work WITH your tween

˃ Feelings/ Thoughts

˃ Goals

˃ Compromise

» Contracting ˃ Goals (usually desired by parent, consider tween)

˃ Actions (specific, realistic, matches reinforcement)

˃ “If...then” or “When...then” statements

˃ Reinforcement + Tangible/ Intangible

+ Good “match” with goal

˃ Can be short-term or long-term

Supplies at Home

» Loose-leaf paper

» Box of pencils

» Box of pens

» Sticky notes

» Regular size stapler

» Box of staples

» Three-hole punch

» One file crate

» Box of hanging file folders

» Desktop or Wall calendar

» Index cards

» Pencil sharpener

» Supply list

Supplies at School

» Teacher lists

» Small box for locker

» Magazine/ File Box

» Locker/ Agenda List

» Heavy-duty Binder

» Accordion Folder

» Sticky notes

Study/ Homework Area » Adequate lighting

» Large, hard, flat surface

» Limited distractions

» Supplies nearby, if possible (or in movable box)

» Milk crate filing system

» Place for garbage/ recycling

» Avoid allowing study/ school reading in bed

Locker ˃ Magazine/ File Boxes for

standing materials up and sorting

˃ Magnet Clips (heavy duty)

˃ Pencil Box for extra supplies

˃ Magnetic pencil container

» Time Management ˃ Schedule of Classes and Times on Binder/ Folder

˃ Alarms/ Reminders

˃ Family Calendar/ Student Calendar/ Agenda Book

˃ Scheduling + Homework time

+ Clean-outs

+ Check-ins

+ Study time/ Project work (whether assigned or not)

» Balance Activities, School Work, & Unstructured Time

» Routine vs. Flexibility

» SMART Goals ˃ Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely

˃ Solution-focused

˃ Prioritize needs and wants

˃ Student input

» Consider the “now”

» Action-oriented steps

» Reinforcement

» Be Consistent

» Monitor

» Revise if necessary