ScottCounseling

As a school counselor, I am beginning to see more younger females who exhibit the symptoms of depression or have been diagnosed with depression. Stress appears to be a leading factor for depression in younger females. Participation in too many activities, desire to get good grades and low self-esteem seem to bring about most of the stress symptoms exhibited. Child psychologist and child behavior experts agree that the increase in female teen depression is on the rise. More research in this category of child development needs to be explored. This article explores some of the social, biological and environmental factors involved in this area of depression.

Social and Economic Factors

The role that school, friendships… Continue Reading

Divorce is difficult. There are no easy answers. It’s difficult managing your own emotions and handling your own personal matters, let alone handling your child’s concerns. Below are some coping factors that you may want to consider while helping you child. It’s always important to take into account your child’s age, child development, level of maturity and emotional stability before you discuss the follow with your child.
Is it possible for both parents meet with the child together?
Having the ability to meet together while discussing any issue, regarding your child, shows that you can still work together for the betterment of the child. The child sees that you are civil, respectful and sharing your concerns together.
Tell your child that you… Continue Reading

If your child is struggling with test in school, speak with your child’s teachers for study and testing tips strategies. Some school districts offer test-taking classes during the school year and summer. Below are some key testing tip for taking “true-false” test.

Read each test question carefully. Look for familiar key words or facts that you learned about the question. Normally true and false question that include words such as “usually,” “generally” or “sometimes” lead to TRUE answers.

True or false questions that include words like “never” or “always” are usually FALSE.

If any part of the question is false, then the entire question is FALSE.

Usually there are more TRUE answers on a true/false test.

If there is no penalty for guessing… Continue Reading

Test taking is a skill developed over a period of time as a student progresses in school. Remember, your child’s ability to take a test is just one area of your child’s academic life. Below is a list of test taking tips that can be applied to improve multiple choice test questions. It’s important that children practice test taking skills on a regular basis.

Practice the following when taking a multiple choice test:

• Read the question twice before you look at the answers
• After reading the question and before looking for the answer provided on the test, try to come up with the correct answer on your own.
• Read all the possible choices before selecting one.
• Use a process of elimination to discover the correct

Learning the skills required to be successful at test-taking, especially in math, takes time. Building confidence is key. Taking practice test is another key. As your child grows older, he or she will become more comfortable taking test. below are some test taking suggestion for math test.

“Practice! Practice! Practice!”

The best method to begin using to improve any score in life is to practice. Children who learn early in life to enjoy practicing often achieve their goals. Besides practicing, here are some other helpful hints to improve math test scores:

Before Taking the Test

Practice problems for each topic that will be tested. Be able to solve a math problem for each topic listed in the… Continue Reading

Some children are great test takers. Other children do not do as well no matter how hard they study. Below are some test taking tips that may help your child improve scores.

• Have your child get plenty of sleep the night before a test. Your child will be more alert and have a better chance of focusing on the test questions.
• Eat breakfast! Eat Lunch! Don’t take a test when your body is low on fuel. Don’t over eat either. Fresh fruits and vegetables along with foods high in protein are excellent sources of fuel. Avoid high fatty or greasy foods such as French fries.
• Take advantage of practice test. Most text books have questions

When studying for essay tests that provide you with questions in advance:

1. Research and find all the information or facts to thoroughly answer the question.
2. Write the essay in advance. Practice answering the essay by actually writing it before you take the test.
3. Study and memorize. Outline key points in your mind.

While taking an essay test it is important to do the following:

1. Read the directions! Read the directions! Read the directions!
2. Only give your opinion if the question(s) asks for your opinion.
3. Be neat and organized with your thoughts and writing. Neater papers often score higher.
4. If the question is asking for facts, then stick to the fact. Do not provide your opinion unless you are asked for it.
5. Write down and provide

At least one in five children under the age of 18 is overweight. Children who grow up overweight have a tendency to develop a lower self-esteem, avoid improving social skills and often find it difficult to achieve at a higher academic standard. Below are some parenting tips that parents can may want to consider to help a child experiencing weight concerns:

1. Be Supportive

One of the most important things you can do to help overweight children is to let them know that they are okay whatever their weight. Children’s feelings about themselves often are based on their parents’ feelings about them. If you accept your children at any weight, they will be more likely to accept and feel good about themselves… Continue Reading

In the United States at least one child in five is overweight and the number of overweight children continues to grow. Over the last 2 decades, this number has increased by more than 50 percent, and the number of “extremely” overweight children has nearly doubled (Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1995: 149: 1085-91). A doctor determines if children are overweight by measuring their height and weight. Although children have fewer weight-related health problems than adults, overweight children are at high risk of becoming overweight adolescents and adults. Overweight adults are at risk for… Continue Reading