Blogs - Page 8 of 17 - This Week In School Psychology

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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Academics

“You Should Be Fine, You’re Smart”: The Myth Holding Gifted Kids Back

One day, a high school student named Alex sat quietly in the back of a classroom, staring at an exam. Their mind raced, not because the test was too hard—but because of what would happen if they didn’t ace it. Alex had always been told they were smart, that school should be easy for them. […]

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Academics

Teacher-Paraprofessional Partnerships Matter

When was the last time you thought about the unsung heroes in your child’s classroom? While teachers often take the spotlight, paraprofessionals—commonly referred to as teacher assistants or aides—work tirelessly behind the scenes to support students, particularly those with disabilities. But what happens when the collaboration between these two roles falters? The answer could significantly […]

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Neurodevelopmental

Do Fidget Spinners Help Kids With ADHD?

Imagine a bustling classroom where young children are tasked with staying focused during a reading lesson. For students with ADHD, this can feel like climbing a mountain—every noise, movement, or colorful object pulls their attention away. Enter the fidget spinner, a small, whirling toy touted as a miracle tool for helping kids with attention difficulties. […]

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Academics

Breaking Barriers: Tailored Interventions Boost Student Success

The familiar hum of a classroom often masks a quieter challenge: disparities in student outcomes based on socioeconomic status (SES) and ethnicity. While educators and policymakers have wrestled with these gaps for decades, a recent study from England offers a fresh perspective on how to tackle these inequalities head-on. Using a novel approach, researchers identified […]

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Development

Perform, Play, Protect: Brain Health for Preschoolers

Imagine a preschooler enthusiastically dancing to a lively tune while singing about healthy foods. Behind the smiles and giggles is something far more profound—a foundation for lifelong brain health. This isn’t just wishful thinking; it’s a science-backed innovation in education that uses performing arts to instill healthy habits in young children. A recent study has […]

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Academics

When Technology Meets the Classroom: A Double-Edged Sword

Consider a classroom bustling with activity. On one side, a group of students diligently solving problems with pencil and paper. On the other, their peers tapping away on sleek iPads. Both groups aim for the same target: mastering addition facts. But here’s the twist—research reveals that the medium students use to solve problems can significantly […]

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Governance

Battling Burnout: Innovative Solutions for School Principals

Imagine the leader of a bustling school—organizing schedules, resolving conflicts, and inspiring students and staff. Now picture that same leader struggling with chronic exhaustion, teetering on the edge of burnout. What if a simple tool could help prevent it? School principals play a pivotal role in fostering effective educational environments, yet they face immense pressures […]

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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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