Looking forward to speaking on the topic of “Reducing Stress in Children and Teens” on Monday, January 13th at the New Rochelle SEPTA meeting. The meeting, which is open to all, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in room 207 at New Rochelle High School, 265 Clove Road. Hope to see you there.
Family University Hastings-on-Hudson: The Keys to Success: Developing Grit, Self-Control & a Growth Mindset in our Children
A growing body of research is finding that grit, self-control, and a growth mindset can have a strong influence on the academic achievement and emotional well-being for children and teens. Furthermore, these qualities have been found to be the “secret sauce” to their success. In this workshop, participants will learn the latest research, as well as strategies, that promote these characteristics.
WORKSHOP: Helping Our Teens Succeed: A Panel Discussion
Join us for a panel discussion surrounding academic stress, anxiety, competition and staying level-headed in the high-stakes high school environment. We will shed light on the topic, discuss research and offer tools for parents and kids to have at their disposal.
Register at scarsdalelibrary.org or call 914-722-1302
Scarsdale Public Library – 54 Olmsted Rd., Scarsdale, N.Y. – (914) 722-1302 – www.scarsdalelibrary.org
PANEL:
Marcella Moran is the founder of The Kid Organizer & The College Kid Organizer, and the Director at Hudson Learning Lab. A licensed psychotherapist, she works with families to develop positive strategies for students who are disorganized.
Randi Silverman co-founded a local community Parent-to-Parent Support Group for parents raising children who have issues with anxiety, depression, and/or mood disorders. She also produced the multi-award winning film, NO LETTING GO and founded The Youth Mental Health Project.
Dr. Caren Baruch-Feldman is a psychologist and the author of the upcoming book titled, The Grit Guide for Teens. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help children and adults with depression, anxiety, and ADHD.
Dr. Mitch Samet is a school psychologist and New York State licensed psychologist in private practice. He has over 25 years of experience working with children, young adults and families and is currently a school psychologist, a clinical team coordinator and a supervising psychologist.
Dr. Ken Cotrone, former Assistant Principal of Byram Hills High School, is passionate about the dangers surrounding academic stress and anxiety and completed a dissertation on the topic. As the new Executive Director of Soundview Prep School, he continues to raise awareness.
Dr. Suzanne Braniecki, NYS licensed psychologist with specialized training in pediatric neuropsychology, conducts neuropsychological evaluations at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center. She is also an assistant professor at New York Medical College.
BLOG (March) Other People Matter for Happiness
“Other People Matter”- Chris Peterson
March 20th was The International Day of Happiness. In celebration, throughout the month of March, I received emails sharing ways to increase my happiness. What struck me was that none of the emails suggested buying a pair of expensive shoes or a box of chocolates. Instead, the focus, and rightly so, was on what Positive Psychologist, Chris Peterson, meant by saying, “Other People Matter.” By making other people matter, happiness in the truest and deepest sense of the word is achieved. When I think about what truly makes me “happy” and gives life meaning, it is my connection to and my ability to help others. I feel incredibly privileged that as a psychologist I “get to” focus on helping others. However, not all of us have those types of jobs. So even if you don’t have a helping job, here are three easy ways based on my three favorite musicals that will allow you to turn a day of happiness into a lifetime of happiness.
- “Talk Less, Smile More” – “Aaron Burr, Sir,” Hamilton: An American Musical
I must confess that seeing Hamilton for a normal price made me very happy. However, not all of us are that fortunate. But, all of us can learn from a line from the song, “Aaron Burr, Sir.” In this song, Aaron Burr encourages Hamilton to “talk less, smile more.” When we are in the presence of smiling people, we feel happy. The underlying, neurological reason for this reaction is that we all have mirror neurons. Mirror neurons mirror back the emotions of others. The converse is also true. When we are surrounded by anger or yelling (a form of talking), we mirror that emotional energy as well. So how can we use mirror neurons to our advantage? We can smile. At school, I smile and say, “Hi” to all. I have trained the kids so that when they see me, they also smile and say “hello.” The exchange of smiles and hellos starts our days off on the right foot. It’s so easy and costs nothing, so if you want to increase happiness in yourself, family, or the larger community, say “hello” with a big smile and let it be contagious.
- “Can Anybody See, Is Anybody Waving Back At Me?” – “Waving Through A Window,” Dear Evan Hansen the Musical
As a psychologist, I am often struck by how many children, teens, and adults feel that they are “tap, tap, tapping on a glass” but that no one is waving back at them. The need to belong is universal. Without it, we feel lost, adrift, and often depressed. So what can you do? Be inviting. Make an effort to be inclusive. Be the person who looks out for others. All of us live busy lives and it is often the case that people don’t mean to avoid waving back. However, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all made a concerted effort to be a person who initiates the waving and also waves back?
- “Because I Knew You, I have Been Changed For Good”- “For Good,” Wicked the Musical
I have listened to this song a billion times (my daughter will confirm this fact). What is it about this song that touches me? And, what does this song have to do with happiness? The song resonates with me because I have found that through helping others, I have been changed for good. So how can you help others? Small things – like opening the door for someone or saying “thank you” to the person who serves you coffee or the colleague who helps you at work – allow you to be a change for good.
For the last six years, on the last Sunday of the month, you will find my daughter, my dog Brandy, and me at the United Hebrew Home of New Rochelle. We will be smiling, and tap, tap, tapping on the door, and asking patients, “Would you like a visit from our therapy dog, Brandy?” What I have discovered is that bringing happiness to others and especially watching my daughter bring happiness to others is incredibly rewarding and creates more happiness than any box of chocolate or pair of sparkly shoes.
My challenge for you is that even though The International Day for Happiness has passed, let’s maintain the ripple effect of happiness by smiling more, waving back, and being the good you wish to see in the world.
Please see my website (drbaruchfeldman.com) for information about my upcoming book, titled, “The Grit Guide for Teens”. Additional blogs, articles, and presentations are available on the website. You can follow me at twitter at carenfeldman@carenfeldman. © 2017 Caren Baruch-Feldman
LEARNING & the BRAIN CONFERENCE: The Keys to Teen Success: Increasing Grit, Self-Control , and a Positive Mindset
So excited to be presenting at the Learning & the Brain Conference (April 9th at 2:45). A growing body of research is finding that grit, self-control, and a positive mindset can have a strong influence on the academic achievement and emotional well-being of children and teens. Furthermore, these qualities have been found to be the “secret sauce” to their success. Dr. Baruch-Feldman is the author of the upcoming book titled, The Grit Guide for Teens : A Workbook to Help You Build Perseverance, Self-Control, and a Growth Mindset (July 2017).
See link below to register.
https://www.learningandthebrain.com/Register-342/Positive%2C-Resilient-Minds
WORKSHOP: Developing Grit, Self-Control and a Growth Mindset in your Students: The Keys to Success
Nobel prize winners and Olympic athletes do not succeed by chance. A growing body of research
is finding that grit, self-control, and a growth mindset can have a strong influence on the academic
achievement and emotional well-being of children and teens. Furthermore, these qualities have
been found to be the “secret sauce” to their success. In this workshop, participants will learn the
latest research on grit, self-control, growth mindset and “failing forward”, as well as strategies that
promote these characteristics. Participants will learn how to bring these strategies to their own
schools. Dr. Baruch-Feldman is the author of the upcoming book titled, The Grit Guide for Teens (July 2017).
RSVP by replying to WCPA4U@verizon.net by November 28, 2016.
For more information go to: https://westchesterpsych.org/School_Division_Mtg.12.2.16.pdf
Free for members of WCPA and NYASP; $15 fee for non-members
I will be presenting at Eastchester High School: DEVELOPING GRIT, SELF-CONTROL, AND A GROWTH MINDSET IN CHILDREN AND TEENS: THE KEYS TO SUCCESS
A growing body of research is finding that grit, self-control, and a growth mindset can have a strong influence on the academic achievement and emotional well-being for children and teens. Furthermore, these qualities have been found to be the “secret sauce” to their success. In this workshop, participants will learn the latest research, as well as strategies, that promote these characteristics. Participants will learn how to bring these strategies to their homes, schools, and communities.
Teaching Teenage Brains: Fostering Reasoning, Critical Thinking and Grit
So excited to be presenting at the Learning and the Brain Conference (November 17, 2016 at 815 am) on how teens can change their mindset and their behavior in ways that support self-control, grit, and tenacity. See link below to register.
http://www.learningandthebrain.com/Event-340/Engaged%2C-Empowered-Minds%3A/Pre-Conference-Workshops
