Parents & Children


Identifying Signs of Stress in Your Children and Teens (http://www.apa.org/)
Young people, like adults, experience stress. It can come from a variety of sources including doing well in school, making and sustaining friendships, or managing perceived expectations from their parents, teachers or coaches.  Some stress can be positive in that it provides the energy to tackle a big test, presentation or sports event.  Too much stress, however, can create unnecessary hardship and challenge.  Adults can sometimes be unaware when their children or teens are experiencing overwhelming feelings of stress.  Tuning into emotional or behavioral cues is important in identifying potential problems and working with your young person to provide guidance and support to successfully work through difficult times.

Here are some tips from the American Psychological Association (APA) on ways to recognize possible signs of stress:

-Watch for negative changes in behavior, such as withdrawing from activities that used to give them pleasure, sleeping too little or too much, routinely expressing worries, clinging to parent or teacher, sleeping too much or too little, eating too much or too little.

-Understand that "feeling sick" can be caused by stress.

-Be aware of how your child or teen interacts with others. Teachers, other parents, coaches can help you tap into their thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

-Listen and translate.  Listen for words that may indicate stress and sources of stress.

-Seek support if you or your child is overwhelmed by stress. It may be helpful to work with a mental health professional.

*for full article go to http://www.apa.org/
What's Going on at Kensington?

Kensington Guidance Activities
August:        School begins
September:  Orientation 
October:      Red Ribbon Week (10/17 through 10/24)
November:   Conferences
                    Classroom Guidance Grades 3 & 5 (PYD)
December:    Classroom Guidance Grade 4 (PYD)
January:        Classroom Guidance Grades 3 & 5 (Academic)
February:      Family Game Week (2/4 through 2/11)
                     Terra Nova Testing (2/6 through 2/9)
                     Classroom Guidance Grade 4 (Academic)
March:           Classroom Guidance Grades 3 & 5 (PYD)
April:            Classroom Guidance Grade 4 (Career)
May:             Classroom Guidance Grades 3 & 5 (Career)
                         3rd Grade Orientation
                     6th Grade Orientation


Social Networking: Blessing or Curse?  by Steve Williams
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To say that technology has changed our culture and way of life is probably the understatement of the century.  Some of the cummunication devices we watched on "Star Trek" are part of our everyday life today.  Our world has become even smaller because of the Internet.  Family photos and videos are sent through thin air from all over the world in a matter of seconds.  So what is next?  Where will we be? How will we live? And, most importantly, how can we make sure our children benefit from technology, rather than suffer from it.

What a blessing Facebook, Myspace and other social networking sites have been.  We've been able to connect, and reconnect with family and friends that we have not seen or heard from in years. We actually get to meet family members we have never seen through the power of social networking photo programs.

A term that was created by social networks is cyberbully.  Cyberbullies hide behind their computers to promote deliberate hostile behavior toward another person. Cyberbullies have been blamed for physical confrontations and even suicides of teenagers across the country.

Children as young as 9 years old carry cell phones and have Facebook pages.  I have had parents and children tell me about the brutal filth and profane language some children are using on sites and via text messages.  Children who experience hurt feelings and have a destroyed self-esteem come to the Guidance office asking for help. 

So what can we do? Parents have the ability to protect their children and teach proper ettiquette.

1. Monitor your child's cell phone texting, emails and social networking.  Some parents are concerned that they are invading their child's privacy.  Think of it as protecting them and teaching them responsibility. Limit time on the computer. Don't allow computers in the bedroom.

2. Teach your children to block people who are inappropriate or offensive.  Sure children don't get along from time to time, but if someone is persistently inappropriate, delete that "friend."

3. Make sure your children and you personally know everyone they are in contact with on the Internet.