Soccer, Basketball, Lacrosse, Field Hockey…when kids are young it’s all just fun and games but by high school those same sports can become quite serious and even dangerous. Recent research published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine reported on the rates of head impact within these four varsity high school sports, and the comparison… read more
Hunter trudged into the living room and dropped the heavy chemistry book on the floor with frustration. “Mom, you remember that test I took a few weeks ago? When I stayed up late studying for hours, and then got the best score in the class? Well the quarterly exam is in two days but I… read more
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), “self-efficacy refers to an individual’s belief in his or her capacity to execute behaviors necessary to produce specific performance attainments (Bandura, 1997).” For example, a student with strong self-efficacy will believe they can complete the requirements for a challenging research paper while a student with poor self-efficacy will… read more
Math has never been my strong suit, and so I’ve never put much pressure on my kids to excel in that subject. But when my youngest started struggling with even the most basic math concepts I got worried. It was heartbreaking to watch her frustration with simple word equations: “Joe has 2 cookies and Sam… read more
School is back in session and media is full of tips and tricks to help you and your kids off to a good start. There are apps and podcasts and coaching galore; all valuable tools worthy of checking out. But we are all looking for that one thing…the secret sauce to helping this year go… read more
With school right around the corner, it feels like there’s a new appointment to schedule every few days: sports physical for my high schooler, immunization updates for my little girl, back-to-school night, meet-the-coaches, dental appointments…who can keep up? Smartphones might seem like the best way to stay organized, but new research shows that the good… read more
Bailey had always been an introverted child, cautious and slow-to-speak, with only a few friends. When the COVID-19 lockdown hit, those two or three tenuous friendships were strained to the point of breaking. For a kid who had a hard time cultivating relationships, forced isolation from peers brought those connections to a screeching halt. And… read more
As we navigate our uncertain and temporary at-home reality, things look a little different for many of us right now. One area that may be causing some stress is how to continue with your current therapeutic interventions like counseling, psychotherapy, speech therapy, play therapy, or cognitive training while quarantined at home. But I have good… read more
School is out, summertime is here, and we’re ready for outdoor adventures! Summer vacation is certainly the best time to load up the kids and launch into active outdoor play, and yet parents need to be aware of the need for diligent after-care when little Johnny takes a tumble Whether its biking, hiking, swimming, or… read more
So it finally happened. Covid-19 visited my house with a vengeance. My 12-year old daughter got mild head-cold symptoms first, and I was the second to get hit. Then my 10-year old son came down with the sniffles, followed closely by my 8-year old little girl. Tho truth-be-told, none of us felt too awful, and… read more
Parents of young children in America today are increasingly pressured to be uber-involved, and the influence of social media only exacerbates this trend. Moms and dads alike are expected to attend every soccer game, make cupcakes for school, and ensure that Junior’s science project is over-the-top. This kind of helicopter parenting is all the rage…but… read more
Children with an autism spectrum disorder and their caregivers face unique challenges in the best of times. During the COVID-19 pandemic crisis these challenges rose exponentially in ways that scientists are just beginning to evaluate. A recent study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders revealed worsening behaviors and understandably increased stress levels… read more
