Breakthrough Houston’s Post

As we embrark on a new academic year, it is vitally important that we look deeper into the behaviours and attitudes of the young people we support. By doing so we can consider the reasons behind their behaviours and effectively support our students holistically. Over the summer break, students maybe have experienced challenges, adversity and subsequent trauma; that may impact on their behaviour, attitudes and responses. Over the summer break they may have felt unsafe in unpredictable and potentially harmful home environments. Upon returning to school, which they could consider a safe haven, they could start to process some of their emotions and present with dsyregulated behaviour. They require understanding, approachable, knowledgeable professionals who can support them to process and rebuild. They need us to look beyond their behaviours and for us to consider WHY. If we see a child’s behaviour differently, we will see a different child.

As summer fades and school routines resume, families often feel a mix of restlessness and nostalgia for the freedom of summer. Today on the blog, Andrew, Director of Experiential Learning, explains how the outdoors offers a wealth of benefits for the entire family. Outdoor activities can help support physical and mental health. By engaging with nature, families can strengthen bonds and enjoy the variety of educational and therapeutic benefits it offers. https://lnkd.in/eNPfk5dq

It's not just about getting the perfect first day back to school picture ⤵ As we settle into the new school year, there’s more on us parents mind's than just class schedules and homework. Our kids are facing challenges we may not see—bullying, social anxiety, the pressure to make friends, and navigating an ever-changing world of peer dynamics. At Jteen, we’ve seen firsthand how these issues can impact a teen’s mental and emotional health. As parents, it’s easy to feel powerless when we watch our children struggle. But the truth is, we have a huge role to play in helping them thrive, not just academically but emotionally, too. In my book and through our work at Jteen, I talk about these everyday struggles, offering practical advice on how to build resilience, encourage open communication, and foster positive relationships. It’s about giving parents the tools to guide their teens through these tricky years. Remember, the start of the school year is a fresh chapter. Let’s make it one where our kids feel supported, confident, and ready to take on anything that comes their way. Let’s work together to make this year a positive experience for our kids—both in the classroom and beyond.

Recognizing and addressing the interconnectedness of mental health and academic success is essential for fostering a supportive learning environment where students can thrive both academically and emotionally. Learn more how campus libraries can contribute in our new blog: https://lnkd.in/gEMfNGE4

Take a look at this interesting article!

A great course offered by two excellent trainers. Well worth attending if you have not already done so.

Can you believe it's June already? As school psychologists, we've spent the year buried in paperwork and meetings. Now, it's time to enjoy the best perk of our profession—summer break! This summer, my top three goals are: 1. **Recharge:** Taking time for self-care with lazy days by the pool and catching up on my reading. 2. **Support Course Members:** Continuing to help school psychologists in my program, 'Increasing Your Independence,' to break free from public schools and start their own businesses. 3. **Get Organized:** Tackling my clutter and creating systems to stay organized. What are your goals for this summer? Let's share and inspire each other!

Children’s Laughter As I was waiting in my kids school during lunch break (I arrived in school noontime and have to wait for lunch break to be over to do my transaction), I saw a group of maybe 15-20 primary school kids. You won’t miss them out. It wasn’t the crowd that drew me to them. It was the shrieks, giggles and laughter that caught my attention. They were shouting at the top of their lungs while doing an outdoor activity and they were definitely having fun. As I sat across them, drinking my cold glass of lychee bobba drink with the laughter in the background, I got to thinking… when was the last time I had fun like that? To be completely honest… I couldn’t remember. It was then that it dawned on me how adulting can truly zap away life’s magic. When responsibilities in family and career life takes over, more often than not, one thing we lose is the element of fun, where we can simply be carefree and without worry. Somehow, society has molded us that once past childhood, we have to start being serious in our lives… but do we really need to? Neuroscience has taught us that play is what allows babies to expand and create neural connections that facilitate learning and creativity. Imagination Land… in the movie Inside Out. But then we forget as soon as we step into adulthood because of society and other people’s expectations. Sad but true. In adulthood, play is equally important because it offers physical, psychological, emotional and social health benefits. And what I realized is that many adults don’t give themselves permission to play. When I did Larry Gilman’s Mastery of Self Expression (MOSE) program early this year, I again had the opportunity to rediscover my creativity as I explored my humanity and had fun. It gave a whole new meaning to what I do and this is perhaps why my new tools such as the B.A.N.K. Personality and the Wealth and Joy Life Simulation is something very dear to me. I realized that it is why in my leadership and team development programs I always create that element of play into the overall experience. I believe it is something that has been lost in our journey to adulthood and it’s time to bring back that childlike aspect into the workplace for creativity and humanity to be restored. #lessonsfromeverydaylife #leadershipandteams #BANKingforGrowth

Today is national napping day, but don’t sleep on these marketing moments 💤 From university mental health awareness to celebrating St Patrick's day, this week is stuffed full of opportunities to connect with students on-campus. When they’re not napping, that is. Make sure you know what’s coming up in the student marketing calendar by downloading A to (Gen Z) - The Definitive Student Marketing Calendar… https://bit.ly/3INIKtT #StudentMarketing #AtoGenZ #EveryMomentMatters #nationalnappingday

Stop the Summer Brain Drain  #summer #education #parents During the summer break, students have the opportunity to recharge after a strenuous academic year. Nevertheless, it's crucial not to let learning come to a complete halt. Parents should prioritize finding ways to extend learning throughout the summer, ensuring a seamless transition into the new school year. Here are three essential tips to mitigate summer learning loss. https://lnkd.in/eFu3fd4Q