A recent study, one that received relatively scant media attention (compared with a concurrent New York Times piece about a new psychiatric diagnosis termed "sluggish cognitive tempo" that may be the "new ADHD") showed that antipsychotics are being prescribed to nearly one third of kids (age 2-17) in foster care who are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD.)
This disturbing statistic brought to mind a common complaint I hear from parents about putting on shoes to go out of the house. A child will dawdle, ignoring multiple requests. The situation will escalate to the point where the parent becomes increasingly angry and frustrated, and the child descends in to an all out tantrum.
This kind of scene likely plays out in some form in every household with a young child. It can be useful to keep in mind as we aim to understand why a child who is in foster care might exhibit behavior that calls for bringing out these pharmaceutical big guns.
While there is a range of reasons for a child to be in foster care, one can assume that there has at minimum been some experience of trauma and loss. This might include physical and/or emotional abuse.
Research in the field of developmental psychology and attachment offers a way to understand this situation. Young children inevitably have tantrums. It is a normal healthy part of development. But if a caregiver herself has a history of trauma, her child's behavior may, as they say, "push her buttons." She may become flooded with stress in the face of her child's acting out. Unable to think clearly, she may respond with behavior that is either frightened or frightening. She may either become overwhelmed with rage, or shut down emotionally. In the language of psychology this is termed "dissociation." For the child, it is as if his caregiver suddenly isn't there. In this situation, the child learns to recognize his own emotional distress as a signal for abandonment.
Now put this same child in foster care and ask him to put his shoes on to go outside. What starts out as a "typical" parent-child interaction can quickly descend in to wildly uncontrollable behavior. I've heard parents who have adopted kids out of trauma say, "its like he's not even there." When the child was in this kind of situation with an abusing caregiver, he might, in a way that is in fact adaptive, responded to her dissociation with his own form of dissociation. Now he has learned that behavior. But out of context, in foster care with a non-abusing caregiver, it may look "crazy."
When this kind of "not listening" extends to other arenas, it may be reframed as "not paying attention." This behavior often occurs together with the impulsivity. Impulsivity literally means to act without thinking. An inability to think in the face of strong emotions, as I describe in my book Keeping Your Child in Mind, can also be understood as part of the trauma, of not having been held in mind by caregivers early in development. With problems of both inattention and impulsitivity the child may, according checklists commonly used to make the diagnosis, earn the ADHD label.
Perhaps this is how kids in foster care end up on antipsychotic medication for ADHD.
But by taking this path, we are essentially putting a muzzle on the child. The child's behavior is a form of communication. It says, "I have never learned how to manage myself in the face of life's inevitable frustrations." Rather than silence him with a powerful drug, that is well known to have serious side effects, we need to listen to that communication.
The first step is to recognize the meaning of the behavior. Once caregivers understand the "why" of the behavior, they can better support the child's efforts to regulate himself in the face of frustration. At first this might be in a very physical way. For example he might need to be held in a firm and loving embrace. Or he might need to run around the room. Or hit a punching bag. He might need a soft and gentle voice rather than a harsh and angry one. As a child gets older, regulating activities like dance, theater and martial arts can have a significant role to play. Once a child has developed the capacity to regulate his body in the face of distress, he can begin, perhaps in the setting of psychotherapy, to give words to his experience.
But if we simply silence him with medication, all of this opportunity for growth and healthy development may be lost.
Kids etiketine sahip kayıtlar gösteriliyor. Tüm kayıtları göster
Kids etiketine sahip kayıtlar gösteriliyor. Tüm kayıtları göster
28 Ocak 2016 Perşembe
Rising numbers of kids expelled from preschool and diagnosed with autism: are they linked?
Two alarming news items compete for attention. The first, a New York Times editorial entitled Giving Up on Four-Year-Olds describes a recent report showing expulsion from preschool as a form of discipline occurring in increasing numbers. A second speaks to the new CDC statistics indicating that 1 in 68 children have autism, a change from 1 in 88 just 5 years ago.
Perhaps both represent a lack of value of space and time for listening, in particular for listening to children and parents. Elizabeth Young-Breuhl might refer to both phenomena as prejudice against children.
Each child who is expelled from preschool has a story. Similarly, every child diagnosed with autism has a story. It takes time, and a safe non-judgmental environment to bring these stories to light and so make sense of a child's behavior.
There may be witnessed domestic violence. When a child lives in fear, he may respond to the "threat" of a child standing too close to him in line by pushing him. A reprimanding voice may lead to escalation of stress and even the development of a "fight-flight reaction." Being sent to the principal's office leads to further disorganization.
Sensory processing challenges are often prominent. A withdrawal from social interaction makes sense from the perspective of a child who is flooded and overwhelmed by a busy classroom. Crawling under a desk may not be something "wrong" but rather an adaptive response.
Perhaps both represent a lack of value of space and time for listening, in particular for listening to children and parents. Elizabeth Young-Breuhl might refer to both phenomena as prejudice against children.
Each child who is expelled from preschool has a story. Similarly, every child diagnosed with autism has a story. It takes time, and a safe non-judgmental environment to bring these stories to light and so make sense of a child's behavior.
There may be witnessed domestic violence. When a child lives in fear, he may respond to the "threat" of a child standing too close to him in line by pushing him. A reprimanding voice may lead to escalation of stress and even the development of a "fight-flight reaction." Being sent to the principal's office leads to further disorganization.
Sensory processing challenges are often prominent. A withdrawal from social interaction makes sense from the perspective of a child who is flooded and overwhelmed by a busy classroom. Crawling under a desk may not be something "wrong" but rather an adaptive response.
Increasingly structured school environments, with little room for variation and high student:teacher ratios may exacerbate both of these problems.
However, once we have the opportunity to hear the story, what to do to help the child becomes clear. One boy whose behavior had escalated to the point where he was throwing things at the teacher felt calm if he could start the day with a few minutes buried under the plastic balls in the ball pit. Another who would run in circles much of the day discovered music. When she was invited to sing or play an instrument she could sit calmly with the other children. Another family recognized how the level of chaos in the home was particularly problematic given their son's vulnerabilities, and took steps to change that environment.
A recent New York Times article describes a wonderful school program, Head Start Trauma Smart, an example of an innovative program that takes time to listen to the story, make sense of a child's behavior and respond appropriately. In contrast, expelling children for "acting out" may result in a cascade of worsening behavior problems.
The massive rise in autism numbers may reflect a need to name a problem with certainty, rather than taking the time to let the story unfold, to let a child grow in to himself. Perhaps if parents, teachers and clinicians had the opportunity to get a child the help he needs without pressure to name the problem, the numbers would be much lower.
Clearly there are significant differences between these two issues. But an underlying theme emerges.
However, once we have the opportunity to hear the story, what to do to help the child becomes clear. One boy whose behavior had escalated to the point where he was throwing things at the teacher felt calm if he could start the day with a few minutes buried under the plastic balls in the ball pit. Another who would run in circles much of the day discovered music. When she was invited to sing or play an instrument she could sit calmly with the other children. Another family recognized how the level of chaos in the home was particularly problematic given their son's vulnerabilities, and took steps to change that environment.
A recent New York Times article describes a wonderful school program, Head Start Trauma Smart, an example of an innovative program that takes time to listen to the story, make sense of a child's behavior and respond appropriately. In contrast, expelling children for "acting out" may result in a cascade of worsening behavior problems.
The massive rise in autism numbers may reflect a need to name a problem with certainty, rather than taking the time to let the story unfold, to let a child grow in to himself. Perhaps if parents, teachers and clinicians had the opportunity to get a child the help he needs without pressure to name the problem, the numbers would be much lower.
Clearly there are significant differences between these two issues. But an underlying theme emerges.
27 Ocak 2016 Çarşamba
Program inspired by Daniel Pearl teaches kids to use music for peace
An extraordinary program, Music in Common (MiC), takes on particular significance in light of recent events in the Middle East, when a video that author Salman Rushdie referred to in an NPR interview as a "disgraceful, shoddy little thing," seems to be at least in part responsible for terrible violence and death. In stark contrast, MiC's mission statement reads:
By producing free, publicly accessible concerts, school programs, and multimedia productions with an interest in underserved areas and communities where there is a history of conflict, Music in Common (MiC) provides a platform for the exchange of ideas and collaborations that can lead to positive social change.
Originally called FODfest (Friends of Daniel) the organization was founded by Pearl's close friend and bandmate Todd Mack in response to Pearl's tragic death in 2002. Pearl was kidnapped while working as a journalist in Pakistan, and subsequently beheaded by his captors.
Groups of students in the MiC youth program work together with industry professionals to write, record, perform, and produce a music video of an original song, participating in all aspects of the creative and multimedia production process. Their website states:
MiC Youth Programs are free educational programs that extend the FODfest concept of community building through music to youth, serving to educate, inspire, and empower junior high and high school students. MiC Youth Programs take place in local schools or community centers where FODfest concerts take place and provides an experiential education to students, teaching the essential life skills of team building, collaboration, and mutual respect.
MiC international focuses on the Middle East, and has produced music videos with groups of Arab and Israeli students working together, including this one Peace*Shalom*Salaam.
I am fortunate that the organization's founder lives in my town, and has brought the program to my son's school. For the past two weeks, a group of nine high school students have worked long hours together in an intensive process to create a song and produce a music video. I had the privilege to sit in on a group of kids discussing what they are learning. One said that in the age of the Internet, it is important to think carefully about how your message will be received by a large audience. Another reflected on the responsibility of using creativity for peace, not war.
Following the production period, there is a performance, referred to as a "FODfest community concert." Here the song and video are debuted for an audience, and musicians swap songs and jam together onstage. The Mic brochure describes these events as:
Powerful and healing experiences generating a sense of community and hope, serving as a call to action for individuals and communities to discover common ground.
23 Ocak 2016 Cumartesi
Cypher Kids Club 3D Number App
I found this set of cards on sale at Target and I immediately knew it was something I wanted to use in my classroom. It is from Cypher Kids Club. It's a set of interactive number cards used to help students identify numbers.
A simple, fun and interactive way to teach my little ones numbers- what more could I ask for?
The app is free but the cards are needed for it to work. Target only had the numbers set but I saw an alphabet and an animal set available online.
After you download and open the app, all you have to do is take a "picture" of the card and the numbers pop up in 3D. My kids totally ate this up today. Each one has a little chant which they loved. They really enjoyed this activity.
Video for Kids to Watch and Learn: Ice Skating for Toddlers and Preschoolers.
Here's an adorable video for kids to watch and learn. Have you taken your child ice skating? Prepare them before going to the ice rink with this fun and engaging video that showcases a preschooler developing his skills on the ice. Not only is this video created for children, but it's also narrated by a child.
Be sure to have all the necessary safety equipment before allowing your child to step on the ice. Establish some rules that will help promote a safe and healthy learning environment. Your child should not be on the ice without a helmet. Knee pads will help in the early stages and prevent your child from hurting their knees.
Our video's will help toddlers, preschoolers & kindergarten kids learn letters of the Alphabet using Mnemonic techniques. We help stimulate retention of information in your child's brain by creating many pathways and connections between those pathways. With the use of rhythm, rhymes, patterns & visuals, we help increase the level of memorization in a short period. Try it out, your children will see visuals, hear rhythms & be engaged with our cute narrator's voice.
QAZIINC brings you Intelligent Kids World - iKIDSWORLD creating FREE Educational E-learning videos for Children. Our Video Flashcards & eBooks help Babies, Toddlers, Preschoolers & Kindergarten Kids learn The Alphabet Song, Colors | Colours, Numbers, Counting, Animals & much more.
We help create a learning environment that will engage kids & encourage them to interact. We achieve this by using a cute child's voice throughout our video's to relate & maintain the attention of our little viewer's.
Occupy your kid's time efficiently and effectively. Having a routine will encourage responsibility and help children develop quality skills that will allow them to succeed and excel in school.
Video cho trẻ em để xem và học hỏi
Видео для детей , чтобы смотреть и учиться.
子供のためのビデオを見て、学ぶために。
어린이를위한 비디오 보고 배울 수 있습니다 .
فيديو للأطفال لمشاهدة و التعلم.
Video para sa mga bata upang mapanood at matuto.
Vidéo pour les enfants à regarder et apprendre.
Video für Kinder zu sehen und zu lernen.
बच्चों के लिए वीडियो देखने और जानने के लिए।
Video untuk kanak-kanak untuk melihat dan belajar.
Vídeo para los niños para ver y aprender.
Video pentru copii pentru a viziona și să învețe.
Vídeo para as crianças para assistir e aprender.
Film dla dzieci oglądać i uczyć się.
视频为孩子们观看和学习。
Çocuklar için video izlemek ve öğrenmek için.
بچوں کے لئے ویڈیو دیکھنے اور سیکھنے کے لئے .
וידאו פֿאַר קינדער צו היטן און לערנען.
Βίντεο για τα παιδιά να παρακολουθήσουν και να μάθουν.
Jamal Qazi All Rights reserved 2015.
You can join us on our other social networks:
Video, Sound and Effects created with Apple Final Cut Pro Software.
Video for kids to Watch & Learn: My First Toy Beyblade.
Here's a fun video for kids to watch and learn the alphabet letter B. Our cute toddler shares his first experience using the popular children's toy called BEYBLADES.
You don't want to miss sharing this video with your toddlers, preschoolers & kindergarten kids. Not only will your kids be engaged watching this cute & fun video, but your kids will have an opportunity to learn english words & letters of the alphabet.
Our video's will help toddlers, preschoolers & kindergarten kids learn letters of the Alphabet using Mnemonic techniques. We help stimulate retention of information in your child's brain by creating many pathways and connections between those pathways. With the use of rhythm, rhymes, patterns & visuals, we help increase the level of memorization in a short period. Try it out, your children will see visuals, hear rhythms & be engaged with our cute narrator's voice.
QAZIINC brings you Intelligent Kids World - iKIDSWORLD creating FREE Educational E-learning videos for Children. Our Video Flashcards & eBooks help Babies, Toddlers, Preschoolers & Kindergarten Kids learn The Alphabet Song, Colors | Colours, Numbers, Counting, Animals & much more.
We help create a learning environment that will engage kids & encourage them to interact. We achieve this by using a cute child's voice throughout our video's to relate & maintain the attention of our little viewer's.
Occupy your kid's time efficiently and effectively. Having a routine will encourage responsibility and help children develop quality skills that will allow them to succeed and excel in school.
TRANSCRIPT:
Jamal Qazi All Rights reserved 2014.
You can join us on our other social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, PINTEREST, ThingLink, Tumblr and YouTube.
Alphabet Video for Kids to Watch & Learn
Come share our excitement with this spectacular video of a preschooler narrating a story about his father racing GO KART. Your toddler will become engaged and enjoy watching short clips of our toddler and the GO KARTS zipping around the race track.
Our video's will help toddlers, preschoolers & kindergarten children learn letters of the Alphabet using Mnemonic techniques. We help stimulate retention of information in your child's brain by creating many pathways and connections between those pathways. With the use of rhythm, rhymes, patterns & visuals, we help increase the level of memorization in a short period. Try it out, your children will see visuals, hear rhythms & be engaged with our cute narrator's voice.
QAZIINC brings you Intelligent Kids World - iKIDSWORLD creating FREE Educational E-learning videos for Children. Our Video Flashcards & eBooks help Babies, Toddlers, Preschoolers & Kindergarten Kids learn The Alphabet Song, Colors | Colours, Numbers, Counting, Animals & much more.
We help create a learning environment that will engage kids & encourage them to interact. We achieve this by using a cute child's voice throughout our video's to relate & maintain the attention of our little viewer's.
Occupy your kid's time efficiently and effectively. Having a routine will encourage responsibility and help children develop quality skills that will allow them to succeed and excel in school.
TRANSCRIPT:
Did you guys see my dad on the race track?
Let's watch him again.
This is the word GO KART.
GO KART starts with the letter G.
G sounds like GA
G, O, K, A, R, T
What does that spell?
GO KART.
Let's get back to the race guys.
Look at these fast GO KARTS.
My favourite is the blue GO KART.
Let's see who wins the race.
Whoa, did you see that?
Guess what guys?
My dad won the race.
It's time for us to go, see you later.
Jamal Qazi All Rights reserved 2014.
15 Ocak 2016 Cuma
Kids Health
Laughing together is a way to connect, and a good sense of humor can make kids smarter, healthier, and better able to cope with challenges.
@KidsHealth
iKIDSWORLD
@KidsHealth
iKIDSWORLD
10 Ocak 2016 Pazar
Top Health Benefits of Eating Coconut-Pregnant Women,Kids,Skin Glow & More
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