I will be putting out a newsletter every month centered on a variety of topics but if there is a particular topic you would like more information about please do not hesitate to ask.
June Issue
Hello for the last time this year...it is always a little bittersweet to send out the final newsletter of the year, and my final one as the Primary School Counselor. I am moving to the Middle School next year...and as I have told your children, I will wait for them there so I can see them all grown up. I, like everybody else, am excited about the summer vacation...but I also realize that it is a time to say goodbye to many friends and families at DAA. This is the nature of international schools and the community we live in. It seems like we spend the last month of school bidding people farewell and getting closure where we can. It is important to respect the need for closure...no matter how difficult it is. Please don't try to brush your child's sadness under the carpet and distract them with other things. This sadness and learning to cope with it will build resilience and will help them learn to manage emotions. I have included some great links in this newsletter to help your child with saying goodbye to teachers and peers alike. I have also included some links to fun activities you can enjoy with your child if you find you have any time to fill this summer. Long and lazy days are ideal for spending quality time together. I know it is one of the reasons I love summer so much. And lastly, while exploring, playing and traveling are important during the summer...so is making sure that we prevent any learning loss that has been hard-earned during the school year. I have also included article link to help with that. So for the last time this year...and for the last time from the Primary School...I wish you a lovely holiday! Enjoy yourself, spend time with your family and friends and come back in September refreshed and ready for the excitement of being on a new campus. If you are not returning to DAA or Dubai, Good Luck on your new adventures and remember that you are always part of our DAA family regardless of which school or corner of the world you end up in.
Hello! It seems that one of the main concerns that many parents have for their children is that they don’t focus and pay attention appropriately. This affects their grades, academic progress, and friendships as well as their positive contribution to family life at home. Although many people jump right away to suspecting a possible ADD or ADHD diagnosis, that is not the case. There are many factors that affect a child’s ability to focus and pay attention and the skill can be taught and encouraged like any other. In this newsletter I have included many resources and links about teaching your child to increase their attention span and to focus. There are also some links regarding improving concentration and listening skills. All very important skills for achieving success both in and out of school.
I hope you find these tips useful and please do not hesitate to contact me should you need further assistance with this or any other topic.
April Issue
Hello! Every once in a while an incident involving strangers approaching children inappropriately takes place and then it seems that it is the only thing that anyone can talk about for a few weeks and then it fades away again. In my opinion, though, stranger safety is something we should be talking to our children about constantly and should always be monitoring that they are following personal safety rules. I have dedicated this issue to teaching your children about strangers and have also included what I teach them during their counselor classroom visits. And as always , if you would like more information about this or any other topic presented please feel free to contact me.
As any parent will agree, it is heart wrenching to have your child come home crying and confess to you that they do not have any friends and nobody wants to play with them. Friendships are important, not only because they add enjoyment to our child’s life, but they also teach them how to form relationships with others. They are the building blocks that form individuals who are capable of connecting with others and developing mutually healthy relationships. For that reason, this issue of my newsletter is focused on the topic of friendship. I have included links on helping your child make friends, supporting shy children through this process, as well as what to do when your child is bullied or witnesses another child being bullied. And as always , if you would like more information about this or any other topic presented please feel free to contact me.
February Issue
I always dedicate my newsletter in the month of February to the topic of kindness. Traditionally, it is the month where most people focus on Valentine’s Day, but I prefer to highlight it as the month in which we can celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week from February 12-18th. Don’t get me wrong, romantic love is fantastic and it definitely makes the ‘world go round’, but a little kindness really does go a long way. While we cannot be romantically involved with everyone we meet, we can definitely show kindness to them. We can make the world a better place one act of kindness at a time. Studies have also shown that people who perform acts of kindness are happier and more popular than their peers. So, on that note, I hope you enjoy all the resources and articles about teaching your kids to be kinder and more compassionate, as well as ideas on how to commemorate Random Acts of Kindness Week and some articles regarding the importance of learning how to be kind. And as always , if you would like more information about this or any other topic presented please feel free to contact me.
January Issue
Happy New Year!
Welcome back! I hope you had a lovely holiday and are feeling rested and refreshed and ready to be back. I know that with all the overindulgence that often comes with this time of year many of us make healthy living a New year’s resolution. How about an alternative resolution this year? Why not focus not just on our physical health, but also the emotional health of our family...starting with our role as parents. With this is mind, I have chosen to dedicate this issue of my newsletter to parenting with love and limits and positivity. I know that we all want to be better parents and at times feel that we are at a loss with respect to what we need to do in order to raise our children to be the productive, happy and healthy adults that we want them to be. So, in the hopes that I can provide you with a place to turn to should you need support with almost any parenting issue under the sun. Hopefully we can all start the year off on the right foot and choose to be the type of parents we have always wanted to be.
December Issue
Hello!
I love the Holidays and special celebrations! Which is why this time of year is my favorite...we have enjoyed Thanksgiving, UAE National Day, the Prophet’s Birthday and are coming up on Christmas and New Year’s. That’s a lot of excitement, but sometimes in the midst of it all we lose the true meanings of these celebrations and it becomes very material. Our kids become focused on new clothes, toys and parties as opposed to deeper sentiments of giving, family and traditions. Thus, this issue of my newsletter is centered on the topic of giving back and teaching your children to be charitable. Just because they are young it doesn’t mean that they can’t make a difference and feel great about themselves as they do it.
November Issue
It is that time of year again where we start snowballing through one festive celebration after another. It feels like a whirlwind of indulging, gifts, and special events, and while this is my favorite time of year, it is also the one in which we seem to get caught up in the excitement and start focusing more on things that matter less. We are all guilty of paying more attention to the gifts, food, and fanciness that goes along with holiday celebrations at times. And for that reason, I would like to focus on teaching our children to be more grateful and thankful for what they have as opposed to always pining for what they want. Thanksgiving is a great time for that...whether you are American or not let’s take some time to reflect on what we are thankful for and all the blessings we do have in our lives.
October Issue
Hello! Guten tag! Bonjour! Buon giorno! Konnichi wa! Al Salaam a'alaykum! Terve! Annyong ha shimnikka! Ni Hao! God dag! Hola!
I can’t believe we are already in our second month of school! Time is flying by and before you know it we will be celebrating the most colorful (and my favorite) day in the Primary School, UN Day! This second issue of my newsletter is centered on the topic of teaching our children to be tolerant of each other and appreciate diversity. On October 24 we will be celebrating UN Day in the Primary School. It is always such a wonderful sight to see all 90+ nationalities represented and celebrated. It is a day for appreciating our differences and showing pride in our uniqueness as well as learning more about and showing respect for the differences in others. As we move toward an increasingly global society it is essential for our children to be able to relate to others regardless of race, religion or nationality. I hope you find the information regarding teaching your children to be tolerant of others useful and as always , if you would like more information about this or any other topic presented please feel free to contact me.
September Issue
Hello!
I would like to welcome back all of our returning families and greet all the new members of our DAA community and family. I hope that your summers were restful and entertaining. Each month I will be putting together a newsletter centered on a particular topic. This first issue is centered on the topic of easing the transition back to school and coping with any separation anxiety that may arise. The beginning of the school year is a time that is both exciting and can be incredibly frightening. Our students move from the relaxed unstructured days of summer to the discipline and rigor of a new grade level as well as the stress of separating from their caregivers for extended periods of time. Hopefully the tips and hints found in this newsletter will help you and your family cope better if you are having difficulty with this time of year.
June Issue
Only a few days left to go before we officially end the 2015/2016 school year. It is always a bittersweet time of year. Everyone is ready for a vacation but with it comes the knowledge that friends, teachers or you may be moving away. And for many kids the thought of moving to the next grade level is also one filled with stress and anxiety.
In this newsletter I have tried to include a variety of topics that might help make this time of year easier. There are links to articles regarding moving away, how to say goodbye to someone who is leaving, how to prevent summer learning loss, how to talk to your child about grade retention, and to lighten the mood a little—some fun activities that you can try with your children during the long lazy days of summer. I have also included information about getting ready to come back to school in August...hopefully that will help you transition back a little more smoothly.
Enjoy your vacation and I hope to see you in September! If you are leaving DAA or Dubai this year...enjoy your new adventure and don’t forget that you will always be a DAA leopard no matter how far you travel!
In addition to the many summer camps you will find in the newsletter please follow the links below for a few run by Kids First Medical Center and The Study Room. If you know of any additional camps that you feel are worthwhile please do let me know and I would be happy to include them on my blog.
Write Smart
Play Works
The Study Room
Counseling Newsletter - June 2016 - Summer fun, learning and transitions
May Issue
Our children are the center of our universe and we want nothing but the best for them. We want them to be happy, successful, grow up to be whatever they aspire to , and have every opportunity that we may not have had. Their pain is ours and we feel their unhappiness as acutely as they do. When you have an anxious child this becomes even more consuming. You stand by and watch your child struggle with their emotions and stress and feel like you wish you could take it all away from them. Hold that pain for them and let them be carefree and innocent..
Anxiety disorders and symptoms are on the rise with younger and younger children. They are growing up so fast and exposed to so much more than they are developmentally ready to process or understand and some experts believe this is leading to higher levels of stress and anxiety in young children.
This issue of my newsletter is dedicated to strategies that allow parents to support their anxious children. I hope you find it useful. And as always , if you would like more information about this or any other topic presented please feel free to contact me.
April Issue
Welcome back from spring break!
We are in the home stretch of the school year now. Just a few more months and we’ll be breaking for the summer holidays. Although this time of year rushes by it is still important to pause every now and then to reflect and enjoy each moment., and that is why this issue of my newsletter is focused on being mindful. Yes, I know it has become quite the buzzword...but let’s not focus on it’s popularity in the media, instead let’s look at how it can actually positively impact our lives.
I’ve included articles that have tips for parents to increase mindfulness in their own lives as well as teaching your children how to be more mindful as well. I have also included some articles about how mindfulness can positively impact various areas in your life.
March Issue
We all want our children to be safe and learning to be careful around strangers is an important component of that. Stranger safety is one of those topics that circles around and every once in a while parents begin stressing it to their children or panicking about it as a result of a story in the news. It isn’t something that should be taught in a reactionary manner and thereby instilling fear in our kids. It is about helping them feel self-assured and empowered to handle themselves in whatever situation they find themselves in. It is about teaching them to be aware of their surroundings and the people in them. Each year I conduct stranger safety lessons in all the grade levels that I am responsible for. We learn developmentally appropriate tools to use to keep ourselves safe. I have included some of that information in this newsletter as well as additional resources you can use at home. Ask your children as well what they have learned. It should be interesting :o).
February Issue
I always dedicate my newsletter in the month of February to the topic of kindness. Traditionally, it is the month where most people focus on Valentine’s Day, but I prefer to highlight it as the month in which we can celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17th. Don’t get me wrong, romantic love is fantastic and it definitely makes the ‘world go round’, but a little kindness really does go a long way. While we cannot be romantically involved with everyone we meet, we can definitely show kindness to them. We can make the world a better place one act of kindness at a time. Studies have also shown that people who perform acts of kindness are happier and more popular than their peers. So, on that note, I hope you enjoy all the resources and articles about teaching your kids to be kinder and more compassionate, as well as ideas on how to commemorate Random Acts of Kindness Day and some articles regarding the importance of learning how to be kind.
This issue of my newsletter is focused on building tolerance and an appreciation for diversity in our children. It is in honor of one of the most colorful days in the Primary School; UN Day. We are an International School that prides itself on a culture of kindness regardless of one’s race, color or creed. Our world is moving towards a more global society and in order to be successful we must all learn to appreciate, accept and understand the diversity that surrounds us. I hope you enjoy all the articles, books and resources provided to help you teach your children about diversity and tolerance…and what better place to do this than a country like Dubai where differences abound and a school like DAA where over 90 nationalities are represented.
December Issue
As we move through our Winter holiday season the diversity in our school becomes even more apparent. We come from so many different countries and cultures. We practice different religions and customs. But no matter where we come from and what we believe we practice traditions. They are one way that we bond with and identify with each other. Instead of dedicating this newsletter to the subject of holidays, I would like to focus more on traditions; their importance and how to build them into your family life...regardless of what holidays you celebrate or what your cultural background is.
November Issue
Thank you...it’s not just a word we should say but it is also and emotion and attitude that we should embrace. Studies have shown that people who are grateful are more positive and happier in their day-to-day lives. But gratitude and a thankful attitude are not things that we are born with. They need to be cultivated and taught. This issue of my newsletter is focused on how to teach those attitudes and the benefits of being more positive and thankful. I hope you enjoy it….just in time for Thanksgiving :o).
October Issue
I hope you and your children have settled into the school year and the new routine. I know that I am seeing more smiles and less tears each morning, which is always a good sign. Now that we have settled a little it’s time to turn our attention to one of the most important and exciting parts of the school day...friends! Many students may struggle with making friends at some point in their schooling. It is heartbreaking to hear your child say that nobody wants to play with them or to see your anxious child want to approach a group of children to play but can’t seem to gather the courage to.
In this issue of my newsletter, I have included information about helping your child make friends as well the importance of friendship and how to help the anxious or shy child to make friends.
September Issue
This first issue is centered on the topic of easing the transition back to school and coping with any separation anxiety that may arise. The beginning of the school year is a time that is both exciting and can be incredibly frightening. Our students move from the relaxed unstructured days of summer to the discipline and rigor of a new grade level as well as the stress of separating from their caregivers for extended periods of time. Hopefully the tips and hints found in this newsletter will help you and your family cope better if you are having difficulty with this time of year. Please click on the link below in order to view the newsletter.
June Issue
Summertime..and the livin’ is easy...but not really. Yes, Summer does mean a break in the routine, more free time for almost everyone in the family and the opportunity for travel. Unfortunately, it also means some learning loss, possibly moving away, or preparing to repeat a grade level. I have included in the newsletter all things related to ending a school year and summer vacation. There are links for preventing summer learning loss, helping a child say goodbye if you are moving, helping a child who will be retained, managing your child’s behavior throughout the summer and (of course) fun activities to help you enjoy the lazy hazy days of summer. Enjoy your summer and I look forward to seeing you next year! If you are moving on to another school or country, you will be missed. Enjoy your new adventure!
May Issue
We all want our children to be safe and learning to be careful around strangers is an important component of that. Stranger safety is one of those topics that circles around and every once in a while parents begin stressing it to their children or panicking about it as a result of a story in the news. Many of you might have seen the recent viral video regarding a man asking kids in the park to leave with him after he introduces them to his dog and promises them an opportunity to play with the puppies. It isn’t something that should be taught in a reactionary manner and thereby instilling fear in our kids. It is about helping them feel self-assured and empowered to handle themselves in whatever situation they find themselves in. It is about teaching them to be aware of their surroundings and the people in them.
Each year I conduct stranger safety lessons in all the grade levels that I am responsible for. We learn developmentally appropriate tools to use to keep ourselves safe. I have included some of that information in this newsletter as well as additional resources you can use at home. Ask your children as well what they have learned. It should be interesting :o).
April Issue
Parenting is definitely the hardest job
out there. The hours are long, the stress is high, and you invest everything
you have into it...but the reward is like no other. We all want to be the kind
of parents that build our children up, mold them into responsible citizens, and
instill in them a love of life and all it has to offer. It is difficult to
maintain that outlook and aspirations though when our children refuse to
cooperate or willfully disobey and ignore our directions. So, in answer to
that, I give you a newsletter focused on being a positive parent and
disciplining your child with love. I hope you enjoy it and find the articles
useful.
March Issue
As we continue to speed through the school year our students have settled into the routines and have become comfortable with the expectations and demands of their current grade level. But there is one issue that is universal and occurs at any grade level and at any time of year...friendship struggles. It is heartbreaking to hear your child say that nobody wants to play with them or to see your anxious child want to approach a group of children to play but can’t seem to gather the courage to. In this issue of my newsletter, I have included information about helping your child make friends as well as helping your child deal with friendship struggles such as bullying, or being bossy.
January Issue
As we move into February, most people start to think of Valentine’s Day , hearts, flowers and candies...but many don’t realize that February also plays host to Random Acts of Kindness Week from February 9th –15th. So in addition to the red, pink and white of Valentines Day, let’s also celebrate Gold (for the Golden Rule) and spread a little kindness around. I have included some great links to websites that will allow your child to get involved in acts of kindness as well. Make it a family goal for 2015!
December Issue
Happy Holidays!
Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, I hope you are looking forward to and enjoy and safe and relaxing holiday! Take time to connect with each other, possibly explore new places, and rest and recharge. As things can get quite hectic over the next 2 weeks, I know it can be difficult to manage your child’s behavior as well as the million and one things that you have planned to make the season ‘special’. So, I hope you enjoy the articles focused on just that as well as ideas for starting family traditions (its never too late), some information on staying healthy as you travel, and tips on transitioning back to school after all the excitement is said and done.
November Issue
It is that time of year again where we start snowballing through one festive celebration after another. It feels like a whirlwind of indulging, gifts, and special events, and while this is my favorite time of year, it is also the one in which we seem to get caught up in the excitement and start focusing more on things that matter less. We are all guilty of paying more attention to the gifts, food, and fanciness that goes along with holiday celebrations at times. And for that reason, I would like to focus on teaching our children to be more grateful and thankful for what they have as opposed to always pining for what they want. Let’s take some time to reflect on what we are thankful for and all the blessings we do have in our lives.
October Issue
Hello! Guten tag! Bonjour! Buon giorno! Konnichi wa! Al Salaam a'alaykum! Terve! Annyong ha shimnikka! Ni Hao! God dag! Hola!
We are into our second month of school and the days seem to have flown by. This issue of my newsletter is focused on building tolerance and an appreciation for diversity in our children. It is in honor of one of the most colorful days in the Elementary School; UN Day. It is a day for celebrating all the countries we represent and all the diversity that surrounds us . We are an International School that prides itself on a culture of kindness regardless of one’s race, color or creed.
Our world is moving towards a more global society and in order to be successful we must all learn to appreciate, accept and understand the diversity that surrounds us. Appreciating diversity might be the single most important step toward everyone’s ultimate goal: world peace.
September Issue
Welcome back to school! I hope you had a lovely and relaxing summer. I can't wait to hear the stories of where you've been and what you did. If you are brand new to DAA...welcome to our family of Leopards! We are excited to have you join us. I hope you enjoy the first issue of my newsletter for this academic year. As always, we focus on back to school topics such as separation anxiety, getting back into the routine, and setting yourself up for a successful year.
Counseling Newsletter - September 2014 - Transitioning back to school and dealing with separation anxiety.
June Issue
I can’t believe how fast the year has flown by! Summer is literally around the corner. I know that our students are looking forward to the lazy days of summer and they definitely deserve them! Some laziness and lack of structure is important but routine and learning should not be thrown out the window completely for two and a half months. It should morph into a different format instead. Learning can be snuck into hundreds of activities throughout the summer. I have included some links for summer learning as well as fun family activities below. I have also included some information regarding saying goodbye to teachers and friends. Unfortunately, that is the reality of being in an International School. We do have to say goodbye to some good friends every year. I have also included some information about grade retention and talking to your child about it. If you are traveling...be safe, have fun and I look forward to hearing about your adventures in September. If you are moving away...good luck and please do keep in touch. And if you are staying here in Dubai...I have some links on the second page that will lead you to every kind of summer camp under the sun.
Thank you for a wonderful year!
May Issue
“Respect-to get it you must give it”
Respect means honoring other people and treating them with
care and courtesy. It stems from the belief that other people have as much
worth and dignity as you, and that harming others or their property is
inherently wrong. It seems like the world today is lacking in this crucial
character trait. It is not a trait we are born with, it must be taught. So come
on…sing it with me ‘R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me’.
I hope you enjoy the May issue of my newsletter, focused on
the topic of teaching our kids to respect themselves and others, and find it
useful.
Counseling Newsletter - May 2014 - Raising polite and respectful children
April Issue
We all want our children to be happy, healthy and successful. Of course, that means different things to different people. But there is one factor that seems to universally positively impact people’s lives - assertiveness. “Assertiveness involves recognizing and standing up for our own rights, while at the same time recognizing and respecting the rights of others.” It has been called the healthiest style of communication and has been shown to positively affect self-esteem and the ability to form healthy relationships. Kids who are assertive are better equipped to deal with bullies and peer pressure.
Unfortunately, assertiveness isn’t innate. It is a skill we need to nurture and develop. It does come more naturally to some than others though but can still be taught to all. I hope you enjoy this issue of my newsletter focused on the topic of helping our children become more assertive and self confident.
Counseling Newsletter - April 2014 - Raising confident and assertive children
March Issue
It seems that every now and again an incident takes place that brings stranger safety to the forefront and on everyone's mind. It's good to use these times as a reminder that we need to consistently ensure that our children are aware of rules to follow to stay safe around strangers. I conduct lessons in all the grade levels that I work with about strangers and rules to follow to stay safe around strangers. This is actually one of the most important topics I cover, in my opinion. I want the students not to feel scared, but empowered to know that they can handle any situation that they are faced with. I have included the basic information that has been covered with the students should you want to discuss it at home as well as additional articles and resources to help guide your conversation whit your children.
Counseling Newsletter - March 2014 - Stranger Safety
February Issue
February is usually the month dedicated to Valentine’s Day and all things heart shaped and chocolate...but I find that in school that tends to translate into a popularity contest in which many children get left out or be made to fell less than special. Since we are in the business of building kids up and not tearing them down, we tend to focus more on the concepts of friendship and kindness as celebrations instead. In fact, many of the classrooms host Friendship parties and celebrations and not Valentine’s Day parties. I also dedicate my February issue of the Counseling Newsletter to the topics of teaching and learning how to be kind to others. In fact, Random Acts of Kindness Week is celebrated world-wide in February from the 10th-16th. So I hope you enjoy all the information and tips presented regarding teaching our children to be kind and compassionate to other s and themselves. We can make the world a better place one person at a time.
January Issue
Our next big celebration in the Primary School is UN Day. Although the official UN Day is October 24th, we celebrate it in January in the Primary School. Our students really do need the cooler weather to come to school in all the fantastic outfits and national dress from their home countries. In the spirit of cultural diversity that goes along with UN Day, I like to focus this issue of my newsletter on teaching our children to appreciate all kinds of differences. In order to raise children who are ready for the global society that we live in it is very important to make them aware and appreciate all the diversity found in it.
I hope you find the information useful and please do let me know if you would like more information on this or any other topic I present.
December Issue
I love the Holidays and special celebrations! Which is why this time of year is my favorite...we have enjoyed Thanksgiving, UAE National Day, and are coming up on Christmas, New Year’s and the Winter Holidays. That’s a lot of excitement, but sometimes in the midst of it all we lose the true meanings of these celebrations and it becomes very material. Our kids become focused on new clothes, toys and parties as opposed to deeper sentiments of giving, family and traditions. Thus, this issue of my newsletter is centered on the topic of giving back and teaching your children to be charitable. Just because they are young it doesn't mean that they can’t make a difference and feel great about themselves as they do it.
November Issue
Many parents equate discipline with punishment, and will then say that they don’t believe in punishing their child...but that is not what it is at all. Discipline is essentially molding your child’s behavior so that they can be successful and happy in society. It is not punishing or spanking. It is using some tools, tricks and strategies to develop the citizens of tomorrow.
This issue of my newsletter is focused on discipline strategies to help you deal with a variety of behavior challenges. I have also included some common discipline mistakes to be aware of.
October Issue
Counseling Newsletter - October 2013 - Making friends
September Issue
Welcome back to school!
I hope you had a lovely summer and are looking forward to the excitement of a new school year. Although it is an exciting time, the transition from the lazy days of summer to the structured rigor of the school year can be difficult. I hope the attached newsletter covering topics such as separation anxiety and transitioning back to school is helpful if you are having difficulty with this time of year.
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