Articles – Page 10

The Digital Age: Social Media and Electronic Games

December 1, 2011 By Judy Lipson

By Judith E. Lipson, M.A., LPC

Many of this column’s readers are digital natives, growing up in the age of digital technology -unlike digital immigrants like me. Natives have always known the computer, games and the Internet. Today’s youth have always had social media.

Social media, which includes Facebook and Twitter, is neither good nor bad. It’s a means for people to communicate instantly and across vast distances. Time zones and location no longer determine connectedness. Information is immediate and available, real-time. This means that one can write or post without thinking of the ramifications. [Read more…]

Manners

November 1, 2011 By Judy Lipson

Our children don’t sit quietly, hands folded silently in their lap, seen but not heard.

By Judith E. Lipson, M.A., LPC

In recent months, the news carried the story of a restaurant that no longer allows children. There was resounding support by adults who have become tired of sharing a meal with noisy children scampering through the restaurant.

A prominent parenting style assumes children learn the rules of life by observing adults and other children. Unfortunately, from a developmental standpoint, this doesn’t work. Young children cannot infer proper behavior and etiquette from watching others. They need to be explicitly taught. Their ability to infer comes at a later age, and only if the foundation has been set in the earlier years.

I’ve also heard parents express the concern that they will squelch their child’s spirit and self-esteem by overly disciplining them. Interestingly, when parents [Read more…]

Writing

October 2, 2011 By Judy Lipson

Are you frustrated because your child avoids writing or writes poorly?

By Judith E. Lipson, M.A., LPC

Your child is not lazy! Children (and adults) who are poor writers may have difficulty with fine motor control or processing and organization. The following will give you tips on how to identify the potential source(s) of the writing difficulties and provide strategies for improvement. [Read more…]

Successful Studying

September 15, 2011 By Judy Lipson

By Judith E. Lipson, M.A., LPC

Is your child a “cheerful consumer”? This child does everything requested from the school, and usually more. If your child does not have this trait, there is still hope. The following strategies will help your child develop effective studying habits.

Have your child complete daily study time. Many of today’s children live in the “now / not now” philosophy. If the teacher gives an assignment that is due next Friday, then the child files it in not now, and does not think about it until the day before it’s due (if it is remembered at all). [Read more…]

Prepare For School

August 1, 2011 By Judy Lipson

By Judith E. Lipson, M.A., LPC

A new school year is nearly upon us. And the excitement that you see on your child’s face is real – even for the student who finished last year with a deep scowl and resignation, or who struggled academically, or completely lost motivation and gave up. This year offers a new opportunity, which is filled with possibility. Boost your child’s positive thoughts, hopes, dreams, and exuberance (or at least hopeful tolerance) to create a successful outcome for this new school year.

The beginning of each new school year (as well as each card marking or semester) is a new beginning for your child and students. All of us like fresh beginnings; this is why we create New Year Resolutions in December/January. The following is a list of ideas to help your child to have a positive year. [Read more…]

Independent Children

July 2, 2011 By Judy Lipson

flamingos By Judith E. Lipson, M.A., LPC

Children don’t come with instruction manuals! Though this statement is usually spoken as a joke, it’s true; and even this article is not a one-size-fits-all approach.

It’s important to look at your child: emotionally, developmentally, intellectually and chronologically, before creating expectations.

For instance, bright children tend to be very verbal and you may forget that they are “only ___ years old”. There’s a tendency to treat them as if they’re older. This may not be right when deciding what responsibilities they should have. If you assume that your child can handle more than they are emotionally and developmentally capable, the situation is prime for tears and failure.

Children with ADHD tend to have a maturity that’s equal to about 70% of their age. [Read more…]

Effective Communication

May 31, 2011 By Judy Lipson

By Judith E. Lipson, M.A., LPC

Communication is a vital aspect of children’s development and it may be necessary for parents to teach. Below are techniques for how to teach your child effective communication and a unique method to use when your child is resistant to listening. (This is especially helpful for parents of adolescents.)

It’s never too early or too late to teach your child how to communicate and to provide opportunities for your child to practice. Here are some suggestions: [Read more…]

Sensitive Children

May 3, 2011 By Judy Lipson

“I don’t like this shirt; it picks me.”
“I don’t want to wear socks.”
“That is tooooo loud.”
“I won’t eat THAT.”

By Judith E. Lipson, M.A., LPC

These comments can be humorous or exasperating, but I no longer view them as the problem behavior of a picky child. These children are sensitive. And while many of these sensitive children acquire labels – anxious, ADHD, Aspergers, or autistic – these are only labels. I don’t believe your child has a problem, though at times the behaviors can be challenging.

If you are wondering if your child’s behaviors are indicators of being highly sensitive and want to understand your child better, you can examine the five senses. [Read more…]

Anxiety in Children

April 1, 2011 By Judy Lipson

By Judith E. Lipson, M.A., LPC

Does your child experience anxiety? It has become more common and at younger ages too. Anxiety shows itself in many ways. Some children become quiet and introverted. Others act angry. They may lose focus, display inattention or fidget –resembling ADHD. Many have headaches, stomach upset, etc. In school, some children experience test anxiety, difficulty with oral presentations, reluctance to attend school or they skip classes.

There are various possible causes for anxiety. It may be the result of challenges that your child has experienced. Some families recognize that anxiety seems to run in their family. Many people who are prone to feelings of anxiety are highly sensitive in all five senses. (Read Sensitive Children) [Read more…]

Learning Disabilities and Your Child

March 1, 2011 By Judy Lipson

Tahquamenon Falls By Judith E. Lipson, M.A., LPC

Come with me on an informative journey to learn about learning disabilities. You will learn how to recognize a possible learning disability in your child, as well as strategies to make the challenges easier (whether or not there is a certified learning disability).

For a child to have a learning disability there must be a discrepancy (difference) between their IQ Score (intelligence) and their achievement scores (academic levels). School districts use different discrepancy scores.

There are 7 areas of learning disabilities and a person can have a learning disability in one or more of these areas. [Read more…]

The Digital Age: Social Media and Electronic Games

Manners

Writing

Successful Studying

Prepare For School

Independent Children

Sensitive Children

Anxiety in Children

Learning Disabilities and Your Child

Specialties

Recent Articles

Contact Information

Spiral Wisdom Newsletter