Internationally recognized author & educator for professionals, parents, and kids
Archive for March, 2019
Therapy Dogs at Swain: Comfort & Joy
06 years
by signewhitson
in Uncategorized
This year, I connected with a local volunteer organization that arranges to send certified therapy dogs (and their owners) to local schools, treatment centers, airports, hospitals–and almost anywhere else you can imagine. At Swain, the “Happiness Dogs” bring comfort and joy. They are the perfect way to brighten up a student’s day, calm down feelings of stress, increase empathy, and decrease feelings of loneliness. The smiles on these kids’ faces tell it all.
LSCI Training: The Most Valuable Training of My Career
06 years
19 years ago, I was lucky enough to be selected to attend this 5-day certification training…and the rest has been history. I can truly tell you that I use LSCI skills every single day in my work with students and as a Mama. I could never say enough about how rich and valuable this training is, how practical and relevant the skills are to everyday situations, and how profoundly it has guided my thoughts and my actions with young people.
Learn more at www.lsci.org
“That” Kid Who Needs Our Support the Most
06 years
by signewhitson
in Uncategorized
This is one of my all-time favorites and worth a re-post every six months or so. Truth be told, “that” kid belongs to all of us as a community because we all do better when we all do better!
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dear-parent-about-that-kid_n_6154898
Here’s the very best part and details the Counselor I always try to be:
If ever, at any point, YOUR child, or any of your children, becomes THAT child…
I will not share your personal family business with other parents in the classroom.
I will communicate with you frequently, clearly, and kindly.
I will make sure there are tissues nearby at all our meetings, and if you let me, I will hold your hand when you cry.
I will advocate for your child and family to receive the highest quality of specialist services, and I will cooperate with those professionals to the fullest possible extent.
I will make sure your child gets extra love and affection when she needs it most.
I will be a voice for your child in our school community.
I will, no matter what happens, continue to look for, and to find, the good, amazing, special, and wonderful things about your child.
I will remind him and YOU of those good, amazing, special, wonderful things, over and over again.
And when another parent comes to me, with concerns about YOUR child…
I will tell them all of this, all over again.
NOW AVAILABLE: Parenting the Challenging Child
06 years
by signewhitson
in Parenting
After more than three decades of helping professionals work with some of the most challenging children, the LSCI Institute now adapts its brain-based, trauma-informed, kid-centered approach to the unique needs of parents and caregivers. Parenting the Challenging Child: The 4-Step Way to Turn Problem Situations Into Learning Opportunities provides readers with:
* Specific skills for building more positive relationships with kids
* Proven strategies for de-escalating stressful situations
* A reliable 4-step framework for turning common problem situations into lasting learning opportunities
After reading this solution-focused book, you will be equipped with new skills to identify and change six problematic patterns of behavior in young people. Even more importantly, you will learn about yourself and how simple changes in the way you interact with your loved ones during a problem situation can significantly improve your relationship and their future behaviors.
LSCI Certification Training Event: Aug 5-8, 2019
06 years
It may be just barely Spring, but I am looking ahead to summer and happy to announce an LSCI training opportunity in August in eastern Pennsylvania:
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LSCI Certification Training
DATES: August 5-8, 2019
LOCATION: The Swain School, 1100 S. 24th St., Allentown, PA 18103
COSTS: $495/pp before July 15, 2019; $525/pp between July 16-31, 2019
REGISTRATION CLOSES on AUGUST 1, 2019
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Life Space Crisis Intervention is an international training and certification program offering professionals advanced skills for turning problem situations into learning opportunities for young people with self-defeating patterns of behavior. For full course information, please visit www.lsci.org
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FULL ATTENDANCE THROUGHOUT THE 4 DAY TRAINING IS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO EARN CERTIFICATION
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Participants will experience:
— Instructor-led teaching and modeling of intervention skills
— Real-life video sequences
— Structured and small group activities
— Realistic role-play activities
— Demonstration of skills requirement in order to earn certification
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Learn what to do with young people who:
* Act out in stress, sparking explosive and endless power struggles
* Make poor decisions based on distorted perceptions & thoughts
* Have the right intentions but lack the social skills to be successful
* Are purposefully aggressive with little conscience
* Act in impulsive ways due to feelings of shame and inadequacy
* Become entangled in destructive peer relationships
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Certification in the skills of LSCI does not expire.
Text: Long, N., Fecser, F. and Wood, M. (1991). Life Space Crisis Intervention: Talking with Students in Conflict. Austin, TX: ProED, Inc.
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If you have any questions prior to registration, please email signewhitson@lsci.org
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To register, click here or cut and paste the link below:
ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM: https://goo.gl/forms/AUkyJdUTJqG2pFrm2
MARCH 27th, FREE Webinar: Parenting the Challenging Child
06 years
by signewhitson
in Uncategorized
March 27 @ 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Learn all about Signe’s newest book, Parenting the Challenging Child: The 4-Step Way to Turn Problem Situations Into Learning Opportunities, written to bring the LSCI Institute’s brain-based, trauma-informed, relationship-building skills to parents and caregivers.
Signe will share information about:
• How to cultivate a positive relationship with your child
• Understanding how your child’s brain works during stress and conflict
• The dynamics of parent-child conflict (The LSCI Conflict Cycle™)
Register today:https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kI7LNlp0TDWd8UykjzfgIw
FAQ’s About Anxiety in Children & Adolescents
06 years
by signewhitson
in Uncategorized
As a School Counselor, one of the most common topics I am consulted on by teachers, administrators, and parents is anxiety. Anxiety disorders are the most common and pervasive mental disorder affecting children and adults in the United States. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety impacts 1 in every 8 children. With rates this high, it’s important for any adult living or working with young people to have a basic understanding of this health issue.
Please check out this post from Psychology Today, where I respond to eight of the questions I am most frequently asked about anxiety in young people:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/passive-aggressive-diaries/201807/answers-faqs-about-anxiety-in-children-and-adolescents
Relationships Matter Most in Teaching & Learning
06 years
For a relationship-focused, brain-based, one-of-a-kind training experience, visit www.lsci.org
New Training & Book: Parenting the Challenging Child
06 years
by signewhitson
in Uncategorized
The LSCI Institute offers training to meet the unique needs and challenges of parents and caregivers. Based on Signe’s brand new book, Parenting the Challenging Child: The 4-Step Way to Turn Problem Situations Into Learning Opportunities, the training:
- Provides specific skills for building more positive relationships with kids
- Teaches proven strategies for de-escalating stressful situations
- Provides a reliable 4-step framework for turning common problem situations into lasting learning opportunities
2-hour Training for Parents & Caregivers
This course presents fundamental LSCI concepts such as the Conflict cycle™, effective listening, conflict de-escalation, and “Timeline” skills through engaging activities and discussions that are relevant and accessible to parents and caregivers.
Full-day Training Parents & Caregivers
This course includes all of the content from the 2-hour course and, in addition, identifies the six most common patterns of challenging behavior in kids. The full-day training provides parents with a consistent 4-step process to address and modify each pattern, giving attendees the opportunity to practice the 4-steps and receive feedback on their new skills.
Both 2-hour and full-day training participants receive a copy of the Parenting the Challenging Child text along with a comprehensive course manual.
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For more information or to find a Trainer in your area, please visit: https://www.lsci.org/parents/course-information/
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