Signe Whitson
Internationally recognized author & educator for professionals, parents, and kids
Kindness SHINES
05 years
by signewhitson
in Uncategorized
As a Bullying Prevention educator, I often share the mountain of evidence that cultivating kindness in schools and classrooms is one of the most effective ways to bring an end to bullying. At my school, we are highlighting Kindness as a Value throughout the month of February and really stepping it up a notch this week as we Celebrate Kindness with a Spirit Week filled with special dress days, door decorating, and other fun activities. All week long, I’ll be posting photos and ideas of what our amazing teachers are doing to Make Kindness Cool at School.
Wednesday is Kindness SHINES BRIGHTLY at The Swain School!
Check out the kids (and teachers!) in their sparkly, glittery, light-up, neon, glowing brightest accessories to celebrate how kindness shines and spreads in the world.
Our Kindness Tree is in full bloom, representing the dozens of no-cost acts of kindness that make our community so warm and wonderful.
We are CRAZY FOR KINDNESS!
05 years
by signewhitson
in Uncategorized
As a Bullying Prevention educator, I often share the mountain of evidence that cultivating kindness in schools and classrooms is one of the most effective ways to bring an end to bullying. At my school, we are highlighting Kindness as a Value throughout the month of February and really stepping it up a notch this week as we Celebrate Kindness with a Spirit Week filled with special dress days, door decorating, and other fun activities. All week long, I’ll be posting photos and ideas of what our amazing teachers are doing to Make Kindness Cool at School.
Here’s a fun first grade project that students are focusing on throughout the month:
- First, kids brainstormed no-cost ways to show kindness.
- Then, they picked their top 30 ideas and turned it into a quilt-like poster.
- Each time a student completes one of the acts of kindness, they put their initials on the square.
- The project has generated tons of motivation, enthusiasm and excitement for showing kindness.
Today is Crazy for Kindness Day. Check out some of our crazy socks and hairstyles!
February Coffee with the Counselor
05 years
by signewhitson
in Uncategorized
This school year, I’m offering monthly Coffee with the Counselor events at my school on the first Friday of each month. Coffee with the Counselor mornings will provide an informal opportunity for parents & caregivers to discuss issues related to child and adolescent development, mental health, social & emotional development, and general well-being. I’ll share interesting resources and recommend readings on selected topics, to inspire discussion within the group.
On February 7th, we will be talking about screentime & social media with a focus on popular apps that parents need to know about (read: let’s be sure we talk about TikTok!) I’ll also offer some suggested do’s & don’ts for helping our kids consume technology in safe ways. I hope you will join me!.
On the topic of Screentime & Social Media, here are some suggested resources:
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RECOMMENDED ONLINE ARTICLES & WEBSITES
National Online Safety’s E-Safety Guides
15 Apps Parents Should Look Out For
Why Banning Social Media is Not the Best Answer for Kids
What is the Right Age for Kids to Use Social Media?
TikTok is a Pedophile Magnet & Unsafe for Kids
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
Screenwise: Helping Kids Survive & Thrive in Their Digital World
The Art of Screentime: How Your Family Can Balance Digital Media & Real Life
Disconnected: How to Reconnect our Digitally Distracted Kids
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What Can Adults Do to Highlight Student Strengths?
05 years
by signewhitson
in Uncategorized
I love Education Week and am always honored when I get the chance to weigh in on Larry Ferlazzo’s questions. In this post, he asks: What can teachers do to help highlight student assets and not their deficits?
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There are several informative and engaging responses. Scroll down to the end of the post to read mine 🙂 Enjoy!
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Original link: http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/classroom_qa_with_larry_ferlazzo/2019/12/look_at_whats_strong_not_whats_wrong_with_our_students.html
January Coffee with the Counselor
05 years
by signewhitson
in Uncategorized
This school year, I’m offering monthly Coffee with the Counselor events at my school on the first (or second!) Friday of each month. Coffee with the Counselor mornings will provide an informal opportunity for parents & caregivers to discuss issues related to child and adolescent development, mental health, social & emotional development, and general well-being. I’ll share interesting resources and recommend readings on selected topics, to inspire discussion within the group.
On January 3rd, we’ll be focusing on Depression in Childhood & Adolescence. Dr. Christina Gorigoitia of West End Counseling & Wellness, LLC will be our guest speaker, leading us in a discussion about common signs and symptoms of depression in young people, including what to watch for, how to support kids, and when to seek professional help. I hope you will join me!.
On the topic of Depression in Childhood & Adolescence, here are some suggested resources:
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RECOMMENDED ONLINE ARTICLES
Depression in Children (Cleveland Clinic)
Depression in Children & Teens (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry)
RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR ADULTS
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk (I consider this one of THE best books about trauma, which can be associated with child & adolescent depression.)
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Most of the books on child & adolescent depression that I favor are clinically focused, rather than speaking to parents about how to understand and support kids. I’ll keep my eye out for other resources I think may be helpful to parents.
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RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR KIDS
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In February, we will be talking about screentime & social media with a focus on popular apps that parents need to know about. I’ll also offer some suggested do’s & don’ts for helping our kids consume technology in safe ways.
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December Coffee with the Counselor Event
05 years
by signewhitson
in Uncategorized
This school year, I’m offering monthly Coffee with the Counselor events at my school on the first (or second!) Friday of each month. Coffee with the Counselor mornings will provide an informal opportunity for parents & caregivers to discuss issues related to child and adolescent development, mental health, social & emotional development, and general well-being. I’ll share interesting resources and recommend readings on selected topics, to inspire discussion within the group.
On December 6th, we’ll be focusing on stress & anxiety in young people. We’ll look at the brain-basics of why kids worry and discuss how to use our knowledge of the brain to counter the repetitive negative thoughts that can create worry and anxiety..
RECOMMENDED ONLINE ARTICLES
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RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR ADULTS
Why Smart Kids Worry and What Parents Can Do to Help by Allison Edwards
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Rewire Your Anxious Brain: How to Use the Neuroscience of Fear to End Anxiety, Panic & Worry by Catherine Pittman & Elizabeth Karle
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The Girls Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett & Gary Rubenstein
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Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak
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In January, we will welcome Dr. Christina Gorigoitia of West End Counseling & Wellness, LLC who will lead a discussion on the topic of Depression in Young People. Dr. Gorigoitia will talk about signs and symptoms of depression in young people, including what to watch for, how to support kids, and when to seek professional help.
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Teaching Feelings Literacy to Young Students
05 years
by signewhitson
in Uncategorized
Every Fall and Winter, I focus on cultivating self-awareness and self-regulation skills in my youngest 
students through interactive, engaging activities. In this lesson–one of my perennial favorites–my 4-5 year old students are practicing using facial cues to recognize & differentiate feelings. With a little bonus empathy development (e.g. “Why do you think the snowman might be feeling confused?), cooperative play, and a literacy component, this one is a keeper!
Click below to view video:
November Coffee with the Counselor
05 years
by signewhitson
in Uncategorized
This school year, I’m offering monthly Coffee with the Counselor events at my school on the first (or second!) Friday of each month. Coffee with the Counselor mornings will provide an informal opportunity for parents & caregivers to discuss issues related to child and adolescent development, mental health, social & emotional development, and general well-being. I’ll share interesting resources and recommend readings on selected topics, to inspire discussion within the group.
On November 8th, we’ll be taking a look at Executive Functioning skills in kids–what they are, what role they play at school and home, and how we can help build “thinking brain” skills in kids who may lag behind in one or more areas. Recommended resources can be found here.
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The December Coffee with the Counselor will feature a discussion on worry in young people. We’ll look at the brain-basics of why kids worry and discuss how to use our knowledge of the brain to counter the repetitive negative thoughts that can create worry and anxiety.
.
RECOMMENDED ONLINE ARTICLES
.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR ADULTS
Why Smart Kids Worry and What Parents Can Do to Help by Allison Edwards
.
Rewire Your Anxious Brain: How to Use the Neuroscience of Fear to End Anxiety, Panic & Worry by Catherine Pittman & Elizabeth Karle
.
The Girls Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett & Gary Rubenstein
.
Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak
What do Bullying Prevention & the Scrunchie Have in Common?
05 years
by signewhitson
in Uncategorized
I did not see this one coming…but love the fact that my work in the field of bullying prevention is connected to the rise and fall of the scrunchie in this roundabout way 🙂
Check out this article on VOX to make the connection!
Parenting the Challenging Child
05 years
by signewhitson
in Uncategorized
Here’s what one reader just said about my newest book, Parenting the Challenging Child:
Amazon Customer·October 5, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars
Changed our Family Dynamics!
As an school administrator and mother of four I often have more patience for other children than my own. In my home I am typically quick to respond with decisions and punishment. This book has me parenting differently and, as a result, has brought peace and a lot more hugs and snuggles to our household. It’s a quick read and can be applied immediately. I often find myself referring back to the SOS Intervention and and repeating “nothing comes from nothing” to make me focus on using the conflict cycle to determine the real source of stress. It has been so helpful to me, we are now considering holding a parent workshop and getting this tool for parents. Thank you!
Get your copy at https://www.lsci.org/product/parenting-the-challenging-child-the-4-step-way-to-turn-problem-situations-into-learning-opportunities/