Latest Insights & Research

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Mental health

Understanding and Managing Boredom in Children During the Summer

Boredom in children is a common yet complex experience, especially during the summer months when school routines pause. While it may seem like an idle time, boredom offers unique opportunities for growth, learning, and self-discovery. Recent research in educational psychology and child development emphasizes the importance of helping children not only manage boredom with parental […]

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Mental health

Screen Time, Summer Time, and Screen Time Isn’t the Problem—This Is

“I Forgot My Phone Today and I Almost Cried.” That’s what one high schooler confessed after being forced to go an entire school day without her smartphone. She wasn’t alone—her classmates described feeling anxious, restless, even panicky. It wasn’t just about missing texts or TikTok videos. It was something deeper: discomfort that bore a striking […]

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Mental health

Why Some Kids Dread the Classroom—and What Schools Can Do About It

When a 10th grader mumbles these words after a math exam, it’s not just self-pity—it’s a red flag. Researchers now warn that patterns of negative academic emotions like anxiety, boredom, and frustration are not only common among high schoolers—they can be predicted with remarkable accuracy. And better yet, they can be changed. A new study […]

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Mental health

Why Siblings of Kids With Mental Health Issues Often Struggle Too

It sounds like a compliment. Maybe it’s said in passing—after a meltdown, during a parent-teacher conference, or when one sibling needs extra support. But for the “strong” sibling of a child with a mental health disorder, those words often come with an invisible weight. They might be the sibling who doesn’t “act out,” who doesn’t […]

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Mental health

Giving Students a Real Voice in Schools

Schools are designed to shape young minds, yet they often overlook the most powerful resource in improving student well-being: students themselves. Research on Health Promoting Schools (HPS)—a model focused on creating a whole-school approach to well-being—reveals something revolutionary: When kids have a meaningful say in shaping their school environment, their mental health improves dramatically. So […]

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Mental health

The Science Behind Self-Regulation Struggles

It was the middle of the school day when a fifth grader named Alex had his third meltdown of the week. His teacher, exhausted but compassionate, knelt beside him and asked what was wrong. “I don’t know,” he whispered through tears. “I just can’t handle it.” This wasn’t an isolated case. Across the country, children […]

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Mental health

Why Some Kids Struggle to Regulate Emotions—And How We Can Help

A mother watches as her 10-year-old son stands frozen in the middle of the living room, his small fists clenched, his breathing shallow. She’s just told him it’s time to turn off his tablet and get ready for dinner. But instead of responding, he’s locked in place, staring at her with wide eyes. Moments later, […]

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Mental health

The Unexpected Classroom Experiment That Changed Everything

A middle school teacher decided to try a simple experiment: She asked her students to go 24 hours without social media and write about their experience. The results were staggering. Some students described feeling relief—finally free from the constant pressure to check their phones. Others admitted they didn’t know what to do with themselves. But […]

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Mental health

Building Mental Health Support in Schools

In today’s classrooms, nearly half of the students struggle with anxiety, depression, or other behavioral health challenges. Teachers and school staff see the signs every day—withdrawn students, disruptive behaviors, or those simply too overwhelmed to focus. But when schools look to address these issues, they often hit a wall: not enough counselors, social workers, or […]

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Mental health

Helping Teens Navigate Mental Health and Self-Injury

Teenagers today are constantly juggling academic pressures, the omnipresence of social media, and the challenges of self-discovery. Now, add to that the silent epidemic of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI)—a behavior that affects an estimated 17–18% of adolescents. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a wake-up call for parents, educators, and mental health professionals alike. A recent […]

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