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Support Your Child's Health & Wellbeing by Encouraging Physical Activity
How lucky we are to have the upcoming National Sports Day as a holiday that emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including physical fitness. We all know the many physical benefits of regular exercise; however physical activity is also beneficial to the mental health of a child. What's fascinating to me as an educational psychologist is the research exploring the relationship between physical activity, brain functioning, and mental health. A team of experts in pediatric neuroscience and exercise science published an Expert Statement on Physical Activity and Brain Health in Children and Youth (2018) highlighting emerging evidence that physical activity in childhood and adolescence is associated with the following:
better cognition (i.e., thinking and learning)
brain function (i.e., how the brain works)
mental health (i.e., emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing).
Did you know that studies have found a positive relationship between physical activity and school success? Overall, active children make for better achieving students. Participation in regular physical activity improves the ability of children to meet academic expectations, with greater physical activity levels leading to better performance in subjects such as math, reading, science and social studies. Shout out to all of our PE teachers, coaches, and everyone in our Athletics & Activities Department and Aquatics program who all play a critical role in our children's wellbeing!
How does physical activity help the brain?
Many of the brain processes that make for better, more efficient learners - such as focus, memory, and recall - are enhanced after single or repeated bouts of physical activity.
Active children are better able to pay attention and to focus and concentrate on a given task for a longer period of time.
Physical activity has been shown to be associated with better memory.
Physical activity helps with convergent and divergent thinking, leading to improvements in creative problem solving and decision making.
Less active children and youth seem to have more difficulty than their active counterparts in performing challenging and demanding tasks, and are also more likely to make more mistakes on these tasks.
How does physical activity support mental health & wellness?
Physical activity can help manage and prevent negative symptoms from occurring in the first place, and also promote positive emotions and self-esteem. Here is a summary of the positive mental health benefits of physical activity for children:
helps minimize depressive symptoms.
plays a role in the prevention and management of feelings of anxiety.
lowers stress and reduces reactivity (i.e., the body's reaction to stress).
better self-perception, including higher self-esteem.
better able to cope with stress and improves resilience.
improves sleep.
fosters feelings of happiness and mental wellness.
Physical activity has the potential to build the basic foundations to better communicate, socialize, increase self-control and maintain focus—leading to a healthier, higher quality of life. Overall when it comes to mental health, physical activity supports and encourages mental and emotional wellness, with very little evidence suggesting harmful effects.
Support your family's health and wellbeing by spending quality time together outdoors this National Sports Day. Not sure how to spend the day together? Allow your children to help plan your day using Build Your Best Day! There are many activities to choose from including playing Hide & Seek, building a fort, having a water balloon fight, and more!
Wishing your family an active & enjoyable National Sports Day!
Tracy Murphy
Director of Student Support Services
Previous Community Wellbeing Posts
Supporting Your Family's Wellbeing During Holidays
Winter Break is finally upon us after weeks of counting down the days! Dinner conversations in our home have been dominated by making holiday plans - most of which seem to involve sleeping and eating. We've been reflecting on how we spent Winter Break last year before the pandemic gripped the world, and how trivial our worries were back then. As a family, we have come to appreciate so much over the past year. Lockdown, quarantine, social distancing, and travel restrictions have allowed us to grow closer to one another. We have grown accustomed to greater simplicity in our lives. We've endured a year of many forsaken milestones including birthdays during lockdown and quarantine, a makeshift senior prom in our garden, two virtual graduations, and a family funeral that we watched in disbelief on TV from our living room. We have struggled to acknowledge these life events in meaningful ways given the extraordinary circumstances. Suddenly the 'pomp and circumstance' of celebrations seems frivolous with the world in the midst of crisis. Our mourning has been complicated by missing out on the traditional grief ritual of attending a funeral and by not being able to share our sorrow in person with loved ones. Knowing that our family is not alone in experiencing loss makes our heartbreak even more profound. Our eyes have been opened to the suffering of others in our community and around the world. It feels self-indulgent to dwell on personal loss while witnessing greater tragedy.
This is our emotional toll as we embark upon our family's holiday season. Our dinner conversations have been a gradual adjustment of our hopes and expectations for the upcoming break and new year. We acknowledge the absence of extended family but are resolved to make the most of our staycation. How privileged we were to be so accustomed to getting on a plane at every opportunity! How more grateful we are now to remain in the safety and hospitality of our host country.
We brace ourselves for an emotional Winter Break knowing that holidays often trigger the grief response. We will honor the memory of the beloved patriarch of our family by upholding the traditions he cherished. With less 'holiday hubbub,' we can reflect upon the peace and tranquility of the season. We bid farewell to an 'Annus Horribilis' and look toward the hope of reuniting with our extended family and the greater school community in 2021.
It is my hope that the resources shared below will help to support your family over the break and throughout the year ahead. Wishing your family a safe, restful break, and good health in the coming year!
Kind regards,
Tracy Murphy
Director of Student Support Services
Resources for Supporting Grief & Loss During Holidays
Resources to promote Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice (EDIJ)
Resources to Support Parents' Mental Health
"A Psychologist's Guide to Winter Well-Being" is a therapist-led video series from the Committee for Children to support parents' mental health. It's an 8-week series to encourage parents to prioritize their mental health as a pandemic winter approaches, offering evidence-based advice and a weekly self-care prescription. All eight weekly videos feature Dr. Mylien Duong, a licensed clinical psychologist and senior research scientist at Committee for Children. Starting December 7, Dr. Duong gives viewers bite-sized self-care tips and guides them through simple practices to improve social and emotional well-being.
Watch A Psychologist's Guide to Winter Well-Being videos published every Monday through the end of January:
• Week 1: Dec. 7, 2020— Self-Compassion
• Week 2: Dec. 14, 2020— Managing Holiday Stress
• Week 3: Dec. 21, 2020— Being Present with Family
• Week 4: Dec. 28, 2020— Resolutions That Stick
• Week 5: Jan. 4, 2021— Setting Your Intentions
• Week 6: Jan. 11, 2021— Making Time for Joy
• Week 7: Jan. 18, 2021— Listening to Understand
• Week 8: Jan. 25, 2021— Expressing Gratitude
Click HERE to view a recording of the parents as partners webinar from September 1.
Update November 25, 2020
Fostering an Attitude of Gratitude: Tips for Parents
Thanksgiving is an opportunity to reflect on all that we are grateful for; it is a time for "giving thanks" and expressing gratitude. I think we can all agree that 2020 has been a tough year. The pandemic has had an enormous impact on our lives and has resulted in suffering and loss around the world. Although it can be difficult to do during stressful times, it is more important now more than ever to look for things to be thankful for! Looking for the good things and appreciating all that we have to be thankful for promotes positive emotions and happiness.
The practice of gratitude, or taking time to notice and reflect on things that we are thankful for, helps us be resilient to the trials and tribulations in life. When life is tough, it can be hard to find joy and goodness, but with practice, we can change our way of thinking and find the "silver lining." How can parents foster positive thinking and gratitude in their children? Here are some of the recommendations for parents from "Fostering an Attitude of Gratitude: Tips for Parents" (National Association of School Psychologists):
Model practicing gratitude. Expressing thanks can go a long way. Maybe your neighbor did something nice for you, maybe your child made something for you, maybe a teacher helped your child. Saying “thank you” shows your child that you are grateful for the work others are doing. It is a selfless act that recognizes others for their work and helps to promote that behavior in others. Emotions are contagious. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all said thank you for the acts of kindness others do?
Share good things daily. Ask your family members about one good thing that happened during the day. This starts to change the focus from dwelling on the negative to focusing on the good that is happening in your everyday lives. It might be hard at first, but with daily practice, your outlook on life changes, and you start to see the good everywhere you go.
Reinforce grateful behavior. As we model caring for others, it is important to reinforce your child’s positive behavior during this time. Maybe they made you a card that said thank you, or thanked a friend for sharing a toy… praising them for this behavior will increase the likelihood that they will continue doing it more often.
Little acts of kindness. Remind your child throughout the day to find the good. It might be a text telling them you are thinking of them and reminding them to count their blessings. It could be a note in their lunch box telling them that you love them and reminding them of the good all around them.
List the good in the world. This is one of my favorite activities to do with students. I ask students to think about three good things that have happened to them each day and to write them down. It can be anything from seeing a pretty flower, staying healthy or having no traffic on the way to school. It is a great way to cultivate a sense of gratitude because everything listed is something that they are thankful for. It also allows them to refer to the list when they are having a bad day so that they are reminded of all of the good that is happening in their lives.
Change your phrasing. How we say things can affect how we feel about them. I have to do… is very different from, I get to do…Changing the way we phrase words can make us more grateful and more positive about our situation. "I have to wear a mask all the time" sounds negative, whereas "I get to wear a mask all the time" is more positive. This shifts our thinking about wearing a mask to seeing it as an opportunity to keep ourselves safe and to prevent others from getting sick. Reframing our thinking allows us to feel grateful rather than resentful.
More strategies to help parents promote gratitude and a positive attitude can be found in the Fishful Thinking podcasts which are free from iTunes.
No one can deny that 2020 has been an intense year, but adopting an "attitude of gratitude" can be a powerful tool for coping with the stress and uncertainty in our lives. The benefits even extend beyond our own wellbeing because practicing gratitude also strengthens our social relationships. We can support wellbeing in our families and school community simply by expressing our gratitude toward others. As we enter into the upcoming three day weekend, let us all be grateful for this time to reflect, rejuvenate, and reconnect. You might even use this long weekend as an opportunity to try out these Gratitude Conversation Starters with your family and friends!
Emilee Tollefson
Head of HS Counseling and College Placement
Update November 5, 2020
As the US election continues to dominate world news, here are some tips to help maintain a sense of stability and safety for children:
Guidance for Ensuring Student Well-Being in the Context of the 2020 Election
Tips for Sleeping Well During the Pandemic
The importance of sleep
We are all aware that sleep is critical to a child's mental and physical wellbeing. Surprisingly, it is estimated that sleep problems affect 25-50% of children and 40% of adolescents (American Academy of Pediatrics). As an educational psychologist, I routinely evaluate sleep given its direct impact on learning and memory functioning. What does the research tell us about the correlation between sleep and academic success? According to Sleep, Learning, and Memory, sleep plays a prominent role in memory, learning and performance by impacting functioning in the following ways:
improved concentration and retention of information
improved executive function abilities such as decision-making, planning and critical thinking
improved emotional regulation and impulse control
improved mood, energy, and motivation
Good sleep, therefore, is the key to doing well in school, at work, and all other aspects of daily life. So much so that sleep is considered to be one of the three most important factors of health (along with nutrition and exercise); unfortunately it is often the one most ignored.
The pandemic's impact on sleep
Sleep seems to have become another "casualty" of the pandemic based on increased reports of sleep difficulties in adults and children over the past eight months (The Pandemic's Impact on Children's and their Parents Sleep). For example, research early on in the pandemic revealed that children were napping less during the day and going to bed later. Additionally, rates of insomnia in parents of young children have doubled since the start of the pandemic. It's not surprising that our sleep has suffered considering the negative impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak:
increased anxiety about health (our own and that of our loved ones)
radical changes to daily routines
reduction in physical activity
increased screen time
economic hardship/job insecurity
reduction in social activities (ie. isolation, loneliness)
unhealthy changes to diet
The cumulative effect of these behavioral changes on our functioning, combined with the uncertainty around when our lives will return to normalcy, have resulted in sleep difficulties for many. Whether we are sleeping more, less, or the same amount as before, we know that exposure to chronic stress reduces the quality of our sleep. So how do we determine how much sleep our kids need and whether or not it is quality sleep?
Be a sleep detective
If given the choice, most kids will opt for a bedtime that is later than that preferred by parents. This is one reason why bedtime can become a power struggle in many homes. Ultimately we are all losers in these "bedtime battles" given the amount of energy that is often expended in this realm. One way to disengage from the power struggle is to teach your child to take a scientific approach to discussions about sleep and bedtime. Begin by letting your child enter his/her age into this Bedtime Calculator to determine their ideal bedtime based on age. These guidelines for recommendations for sleep by age provide a wide range that will differ from person to person. Ultimately our bodies tell us whether or not we are getting enough sleep so the best guide is to evaluate how you feel and perform during the day. Teach your child to be a "Sleep Detective" by helping them to take stock of their own sleep requirements. Guide them in learning to "listen" to their internal clock with the following questions:
Do you wake up easily? Do you feel well-rested when you wake up in the morning?
Do you feel sleepy during the day? Do you fall asleep during the day?
Do you have trouble paying attention? When do you feel most alert?
How long does it take for you to fall asleep at night?
Do you wake up during the night? If so, when and why?
Establish healthy bedtime habits
The answers to these questions are likely to reveal practical, effective solutions to sleep needs. There are many helpful resources for parents to assist in evaluating sleep patterns and establishing bedtime routines including the following:
It is worth noting that the later resource concludes by stating that "sometimes, improving the quality and quantity of sleep can be achieved by making adjustments to bedtime routines and maintaining consistent bedtimes."
How to promote quality sleep
Below are some general tips from the experts to promote quality sleep. These routines will vary depending on the age of your child, but the premise revolves around implementing behavioral strategies that prevent overstimulation and promote relaxation:
Adjust your family's evening schedule to ensure that household activities quiet down two hours before bedtime.
Implement a "technology curfew" by eliminating exposure to electronics for one hour before bedtime.
Maintain the bedroom as a "sleep sanctuary" by keeping electronics out of the bedroom. Our brains will learn to associate the bedroom with sleep only (not play/work).
Establish a bedtime routine with consistent rituals such as bathtime, storytime, goodnight kiss, etc. Older children with more independence will establish their own routines such as shower, quiet (non-electronic) time, etc.
Reduce exposure to violent/upsetting media throughout the day as it may contribute to bad dreams/nighttime fears.
These are just some generic suggestions that help to promote best rest. Additional information from medical experts can be found in Healthy Sleep Tips and Sleep Guidelines During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Help for children and families
These general recommendations are intended to help parents address some of the common, but mild sleep difficulties in children. It is important to note that improving "sleep hygiene" as outlined above won't always resolve a child's sleep problems. Sleep difficulties may be a symptom of an underlying health problem; therefore it is important to consult a physician in the event of "stubborn" or persistent sleep problems.
Sincerely,
Tracy Murphy
Director of Student Support Services
Update Thursday, October 8
Keeping Your Table Stable
Only three weeks ago we welcomed students back on campus… It's hard to believe that we are already six weeks into the school year and that Fall Break is right around the corner! The upcoming break is a time for us as parents to "press pause" and check-in with our children. We can use this precious family time to unwind and reconnect, but also to reflect upon the successes and challenges of the school year so far. As we engage in these family conversations, we can reinforce the importance of taking care of our mental and physical health as a powerful "antidote" to stress. Focusing on the basics of maintaining good sleep, exercise, hydration and nutrition will give our children the best chance, not just to survive, but to thrive, personally and intellectually.
Keeping Your Table Stable
When getting to know students, I often teach a simple strategy for how to check-in with yourself in four key areas of health: hydration, nutrition, exercise and sleep. I ask students: “How are you doing keeping your TABLE STABLE?” I explain that there are four legs to a table and you need all of the legs to really keep the “table stable”.... no leg is any more or any less important than the other legs. We need all four legs of the table to stay balanced. We need to keep our TABLE STABLE.
Hydration - Talk to your child about the importance of drinking water to keep their brain functioning at its best. Do they remember to bring a water bottle to school? How often do they refill their bottle? Encourage them to slowly sip water throughout the day.
Nutrition - Talk to your child about the importance of nutrition to keep their brain functioning at its best. Are they eating enough fruits & vegetables? Do they eat breakfast? Do they remember to eat a snack at school? Watch How to Manage Your Mood With Food - 8 Tips together and talk about how food affects our moods and concentration.
Exercise - Talk to your child about the importance of exercise in keeping our brain functioning at its best and in reducing stress. Ask your child about their favorite activities, organized or just for fun. Invite your child to brainstorm ideas about how you as a family can stay active together. Movement is especially important now given the increase in screen time and fewer opportunities for participation in organized activities and sports. Watch 5 Ways to Get Moving and Feel Better as inspiration for embarking on a new activity together like walking or gardening… Even mopping and vacuuming count!
Sleep - Talk to your child about the importance of sleep to keep our brains functioning at their best. Revisit the issue of bedtime... Do they fall asleep easily? Do they wake up feeling rested? These may be indicators about whether or not the bedtime needs to be adjusted. Here are some resources to help promote good sleep hygiene habits:
Older children can be given more responsibility for managing these basics. My Middle School students often ask me: “How do I keep my TABLE STABLE?” I advise them to check-in with themselves once a week to see how they are doing, and make any necessary adjustments. I encourage them to ask someone to help hold them accountable: a parent, a teacher, a coach, a counselor, or other trusted adult in their life. Changing habits can be hard! Encourage them to enlist the help of a mentor to support them in their development of self-care routines.
As the school year progresses, students may find themselves feeling overwhelmed at times. In the busyness of school life, we may find that we neglect to take care of our basic needs. It is my hope that this will serve as an important reminder to check to see if our TABLE IS STABLE. Keeping our TABLE STABLE will truly enable us to function at our best - personally and intellectually. I encourage you to TAKE TIME TO CHECK-IN with yourself, with your family members, and with your friends over the Fall Break. As a school community, we can practice and promote self-care to ensure our school community flourishes and thrives through these challenging times and beyond.
With a grateful heart,
Jen Hammonds
On behalf of the MS Counselors
RESOURCE: Turnaround Tools for the Teenage Brain by Eric Jensen & Carole Snider
Update Sep 24, 2020
Compassionate Action During Times of Crisis:
Living our ASD Values
Dear ASD Community,
In keeping with our Community of Care model, our Community Wellbeing team (including ASD's Counselors, Educational Psychologist, and myself) wanted to collectively reach out to offer care and support to our community in regards to the positive COVID-19 case at ASD. This news impacted all of us; we want to acknowledge this and offer support.
The pandemic has threatened our most basic needs for safety and health, needs that we may have previously taken for granted. We all face daily fear, uncertainty, and anxiety around these needs in regard to ourselves and our loved ones. Our highest priority is to protect our family, but our collective safety relies on our reciprocal obligation to protect and support one another while facing a common threat. We can do this by adhering to our school values of Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, and Compassion. These values especially matter in times of crisis. They can reorient and anchor us as we navigate the emotional turmoil of these "uncharted waters."
Compassionate Understanding
Along with dealing with the emotional turmoil, you may now be faced with having difficult conversations about health and safety with your children. It is likely that your child (whether directly or indirectly impacted) is now aware that there was a COVID-19 positive case at ASD. This information may have brought feelings of worry and anxiety over personal health or the health of a classmate, family member, or teacher directly impacted. Some children may have focused their questions on whether or not the school is safe and what this might mean in terms of being able to go back to school. Some may have wanted to blame someone or felt they have a right to know more. All of these thoughts and feelings are understandable. We can help our children to recognize these thoughts and feelings and then find ways to process them and respond in healthy ways. We can also use this as an opportunity to facilitate value-driven discussions and address important issues such as:
Respect for each others need for privacy
Respect for the choices and decisions of others
Honesty and integrity in our communications with others and about others
Responsibility to support the health and wellbeing of everyone within our community
Responsibility to make sacrifices for the greater good of our community
Compassion toward others and ourselves
Compassionate Action
After validating your child's feelings and restoring their sense of security and safety, they will be able to shift their focus toward others. We can help them to find ways to provide support for those impacted directly. Supportive compassionate networks, made up of family, friends, neighbors and community members who are prepared to help, have formed as a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic globally. ASD is a tightly woven community that has shown itself to be compassionate, especially in times of need. Help can be seen to be made up of two main areas of support. First, there are the practical tasks of life, such as shopping, cooking, cleaning and caring for those who are in need or at home in quarantine.
Could you and/or your children offer any practical support at this time?
Second, there is the human side of responding by offering connections through kind messages or virtual companionship. The active formation and enhancement of human connection is the groundwork of compassionate community initiatives.
Could you and/or your children offer any connection support at this time?
There are two significant reasons for the development of compassionate communities when in challenging times. The first is practical. Physical and emotional support for others improves quarantine experiences, including the isolation process and loss of opportunity. The second is that, through compassion, people improve their own health and well-being, including their immune function. Providing your child with opportunities to engage in compassionate action will allow them to feel the rewards that come from helping others. Isn't it amazing that by helping others, we are also helping ourselves!
Responding with Compassion When Perspectives are Different provides helpful information on how we can communicate compassionately with one another during these trying times. As we face continued threat and uncertainty, it is our hope that we can work together as a community to ensure that compassion and kindness overpower fear.
Respectfully,
Tracy Murphy
Director of Student Support Services
Update Thursday, September 17
Advice from the Experts on Managing Anxiety around Returning to School
Dear ASD Community,
I am often asked who I turn to for advice as a parent and psychologist, especially now given these unprecedented times. I have never been shy about reaching out for expert advice in my firm belief that "It takes a village to raise a child." I am delighted to share two of my most trusted experts in child development and learning, Dr. Roby Marcou and Lori Boll. I had the privilege of being "in the same village" with these two very remarkable women during our years together at Jakarta International School. Dr. Marcou is a developmental and behavioral pediatrician practicing in Singapore, and Lori is a leader in special education in Bangkok. It was during the eleven years that I lived in Jakarta while raising two young children, that I most relied on advice and support from my school community, including Lori and Dr. Marcou. I have been fortunate to have kept in touch with both over the years and was thrilled to hear the two of them join forces on the air in a recent podcast entitled "It's NOT 'Business As Usual' - Tips for heading back to school after COVID-19." Dr. Marcou addressed the developmental and behavioral impact of the COVID-19 experience on children, adolescents, families, and educators, and offered strategies families can use if their child is experiencing anxiety about returning to school. These were some "takeaways" from Dr. Marcou that really resonated with me as a parent:
Children take cues from their parents (in responding to stress)
The first thing parents should do to help their kids with anxiety is to deal with their own anxiety
Adults should be cautious about "catastrophizing" in front of their children and instead try to focus on the positive
Maintaining a "lens of gratitude" is a good model for our children in learning how to cope
Remember that we can't always control what life brings us, but we can control our emotional responses
Never before in my eighteen years as a parent has there been so much cause for anxiety and stress. So how do we "control our emotional responses" as Dr. Marcou advises? We can heed the doctor's advice by investing in our own self-care, developing healthy coping strategies, and reaching out to others for support. This is easier said than done, especially given that there is no "one size fits all" approach to stress management. Dr. Marcou recommends the Child Mind Institute, which offers expert guidance for navigating the challenges of parenting. Some very helpful strategies for "parent care" can be found in Self-Care in the Time of Coronavirus, Managing Your Own Anxiety During School Reopening, and How to Avoid Passing Anxiety onto Your Kids.
After helping ourselves, how can we help our children? Again, the Child Mind Institute provides clear, unbiased information and practical advice on every aspect of raising children - for free! I have bookmarked this website as my go-to for expert knowledge on common childhood concerns from A to Z including anxiety, stress, and resilience, grief, etc. Check out the Common Concerns section for resources on managing anxiety in children of all ages including the following: Back to School Anxiety during COVID and Anxiety Basics. Child Mind Institute also has a Parent Guide section on a broad range of topics relating to children's mental health and learning. They recently added a guide entitled Family Resources for Remote Learning with links to educational resources to support your child's learning at home - educational games, Movement Breaks and Home Exercise for Kids and Families, etc.
There is also a section called "Ask the Expert" with questions from parents answered by experts. Check out this recent post from a parent who wrote "My son doesn't want to go out until there is a vaccine - he's terrified of getting sick or getting us sick. What should I do?" And if you would like to speak directly with an expert, Child Mind Institute offers online personalized care for mental health and learning disorders from certified clinicians. More information about booking consultations, clinicians, fees, etc. can be found in the Clinical Care section.
It is my hope that these resources will help with your family's transition to SOC Hybrid learning and beyond. Please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us in the "ASD Village" including your child's counselor, ASD's Educational Psychologist, or myself if you have any concerns regarding your family's well-being. We are all counting down the days until we welcome your children back on campus!
Sincerely,
Tracy Murphy
Director of Student Support Services
Update Thursday, September 10
Interview with ASD's Educational Psychologist: Terese Schuts
What made you decide to join ASD? What are you looking forward to? ASD has a positive reputation that extends all the way to Australia! I was so excited when I heard I was being interviewed for a position to work within a school that people around the world are aware of and speak highly about. In the early stages of looking into the school, the energy, enthusiasm, and welcoming nature of staff was salient, something that captured me instantly. I am really looking forward to being part of a school that emanates fun, energy, and high educational standards.
What are the services that you will provide to the ASD community? How is your job similar/different from that of ASD's counselors? My role at ASD includes consultation with staff and families on psychological/educational issues, as well as completing assessments of student’s learning needs. ASD counselors provide a host of complementary services, such as emotional wellbeing education and individual support, and review of educational needs. Together, this forms a strong team that provides support for the emotional, psychological and educational needs of the students and their families.
In addition to being a psychologist, you are also a parent. What advice do you have for parents in supporting elementary/middle school-aged children during TVS? Our family has embarked on our first journey with virtual schooling, from Australia, in a different time zone, with ASD. We have two children of school age, one in LES and the other in MS. We found the first few days of virtual schooling ‘bumpy’ but our family has learned a few things along the way. The priority for our MS child was his computer; making sure he had access to PowerSchool and teneen, and that he had some basic skills in managing zoom. Once this was established, it was about checking in with his daily timetable and assignment responsibilities. Our school day is from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. This isn’t a huge adjustment for our MS son, but we have moved his bedtime to later at night and he sleeps in (which he LOVES) so he has time to wind down after school but also doesn’t lose sleep. Our youngest son requires more attention because as parents we primarily drive his daily learning and oversee his work. This meant we had to become overly familiar with Teneen and Seesaw. Once this was established, I noticed we had the second task of managing our own work and teaching! This isn’t easy. Each day we look over the daily tasks and order them so that he starts his day with work he finds harder to complete, at a time when all family members have more energy. We don’t do one hard task after another, we do break them up with movement or library, which are less cognitively exhausting. I don’t follow the 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm timetable, rather we focus on schoolwork earlier in the day and then I work in the afternoon. However, our times can overlap, and so I try to schedule a video, online tasks, and independent reading tasks whenever I have meetings. Although we are currently in TVS, it won’t be long before the students return to campus. As a psychologist and a parent, I recommend the helpful tips in "Helping Children Transition Back to School in the COVID-19 Era" from the Australian Psychological Society to help us all prepare with the transition to Hybrid learning. Remember that ASD's counseling team, Director of Student Support Services, and myself are all available to support all ASD families.
Click HERE to learn more about ASD's new Educational Psychologist
Update September 3, 2020
Greetings ASD Community,
We have embarked upon a new school year like no other. Families and schools around the world have been forced to adapt to evolving changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to adjusting to the extended disruptions to our daily lives, multiple recent events around the world have threatened our safety and security, eroded our sense of stability, and fractured our sense of community. It is during such crises that we recognize the importance of social connectedness and a sense of belonging; never before have we been more aware of the importance of mental health and wellbeing in combating the negative effects of chronic stress.
As ASD's Director of Student Support Services, I am humbled to work alongside a team of exceptional professionals that are dedicated to the health and wellbeing of your children. These "essential workers" include ASD's educational psychologist, counselors, and nurses. I was inspired to create the Community Wellbeing page when I read these words from Carmen Jones, ASD's Head Nurse, "It is my plan to cultivate a “Community of Care” model that promotes active participation of Family, Teachers, Counselors, and Principals into the physical and mental well-being of our Students." These words echo the proverb that "It takes a village to raise a child." Children learn best when all of the adults in their lives work together to support them.
Parenting is a tough job at the best of times, let alone during a pandemic! Practical tips for parenting during a pandemic can be found in this handout from the National Association of School Psychologists entitled "Helping Children Cope with Changes Resulting From COVID-19." Although we remain physically distant, it is my hope that Community Wellbeing will bridge the gap by connecting the ASD community to resources to help families flourish and thrive.
Respectfully,
Tracy Murphy
Director of Student Support Services
American School of Doha
Getting Ready for the First Day of TVS
Update August 27, 2020
Greetings ASD Community,
Remember what the countdown to the First Day of School used to look like? For teachers it was decorating classrooms and bulletin boards, labelling desks and cubbies with the names from a new class list, lesson plans devoted to easing back-to-school jitters, and finally it was the buzz of excitement as eager students burst through the doors. For parents it was Back-to-School shopping for supplies and new clothes, labelling backpacks, lunchboxes, water bottles, and PE uniforms, adjusting bedtimes and reestablishing the Getting Ready For School Morning Routine, and finally it was the morning chaos of making sure they have everything before they rushed out the door for the school bus. And for students, going back to school was, and still is, a mixed bag of emotions… sadness over the end of summer holidays, nervous excitement over meeting new teachers and making new friends, and the never ending worries over "What To Wear On The First Day?" and "Who Will I Sit With At Lunch?".
Instead this year in my home we are scrambling to find enough chargers for our devices, competing for a quiet space with adequate wifi, and battling cabin fever and social isolation. With a different start to the school year ahead, we all need new rituals to help us to get organized and prepared. Here are some suggestions, mostly targeted toward younger children:
Help your child to set up and decorate a distraction-free workspace.
Help your child to set up and practice using their device the day before school.
Charge devices the night before.
Take a First Day of School photo. It is important to uphold this timeless tradition!
Be prepared for a mixture of emotions as your child adapts to the new learning environment. Give them extra time and attention but also be sure to practice self-care.
Maintain and facilitate social connections for your child until they have developed new class friendships.
Encourage physical activity to balance the increase in screen time.
Reinforce the message that the changes/restrictions on our lives are for safety. Kids will feel proud for helping to make the world a safer place - just like superheroes do!
The extended disruptions to our daily lives are not easy, and virtual school is likely to add to the family burdens. Our children will look to us for guidance in adjusting to the "new normal" so it is critical that we all invest in our own wellbeing and model self-care.
Additional tips for parents can be found in this handout provided by the National Association of School Psychologists entitled "Helping Children Cope with Changes Resulting From COVID-19." It is my hope these resources will help to prepare your family for a new and different beginning. All of us at ASD eagerly anticipate a rewarding year of learning with your family!
Tracy Murphy
Director of Student Support Services
American School of Doha