Center for Growth

School Behaviors

YOUR CHILDREN’S SCHOOL PROBLEMS CAN STIR UP MIXED EMOTIONS 

AS PARENTS, WE ARE WORRIED THAT OUR CHILDREN:

  1. LACK SOCIAL SKILLS OR HAVE OVERWHELMING ANXIETY.
  2. MIGHT BE THE SUBJECT OF BULLYING.
  3. ARE NOT GETTING ENOUGH HELP IN SCHOOL.
  4. EVEN WORSE, WE WORRY CURRENT SCHOOL PROBLEMS MAY CAUSE INABILITY TO FUNCTION LATER IN LIFE

As a parent or guardian, ask yourself these questions:

Does your child display signs of stress or beginning to have aggressive or violent tendencies? Young children will find it difficult to express this to you, but what can you look for:

  1. Changes in mood, acting irritable, withdrawn from activities that used to be enjoyable for them.
  2. Routinely expressed worries, complaining more than usual about school, crying more often, displaying unusual fearful reactions, clinging to parent or teacher
  3. Sleeping too much or not enough, eating too much or too little.
  4. Physical symptoms: increase in stomach or headaches, even after a clean bill of health. Feeling “sick” more frequently.
  5. Listen for words from your child like: “worried, confused, annoyed, angry” or “No one likes me,” I’m stupid,” Nothing is fun.”
  6. your child worrying or irritable frequently?  Is there a significant change in your child’s behavior? Is their sleep disrupted lately? Was there an event that deeply impacted them in the past 6 months or so? Or headaches? Symptoms can be misleading.

It is not uncommon for children to have some of these signs, however, when they start to add up and the child is becoming more and more unhappy, it may be time for a parent to intervene. Updates from the school staff can be very helpful to identify school problems and get a head start helping your child improve. Many parents use a teacher’s email or portal, school log passed by the student or calls to administration to get updates.

IF YOU FIND YOUR CHILD HAS THESE BEHAVIORAL SIGNS: 

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

“Behavior issues that interfere with teaching and learning have notably worsened, according to an astonishing 62 percent of teachers who have been teaching in the same school for five or more years.”  Scholastic.com reports: Classroom Behavior Problems Increasing, Teachers Say

“New research suggests that children entering school with behavior problems, as a rule, can keep pace with classroom learning, but persistent behavior problems can be a strong indicator of how well these students adapt to the work world.” Children’s Bad Behavior Gives Insight to Academic Achievement and Later Career Success. The National Science Foundation (NSF)

THERE IS GOOD NEWS:

Mental health treatment for children is more effective than ever.  Behavioral treatment, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, (CBT), play therapy and relaxation skills are very helpful ways to treat behaviors. Family therapy and advocacy and child management skills for parents have also proven efficient

It is important to note that improving positive social skills has can have significant benefits: “Researchers also noted that popularity and positive social behavior in childhood and adolescence predicted higher levels of educational attainment in early adulthood. They said it is possible that children with stable positive social skills experience a supportive and conducive learning environment.” Children’s Bad Behavior Gives Insight to Academic Achievement and Later Career Success. The National Science Foundation (NSF)

WHAT IS THE PARENT’S ROLE IN CHILD SCHOOL BEHAVIOR & TREATMENT?

This checklist has helped many people: Parenting 101: A Child Therapist’s 4 Ingredients to Good Parenting.

Counseling for your child can be an important step when school behaviors escalate or if you find barriers when implementing Choices, Consequences, Consistency and/or Care. We can help you navigate this and get the desired results with school behaviors. But firs, consider:

“Before your child begins any type of treatment you may want to ask what is the goal of treatment is and what new skills your child will learn as a result of it. You should also ask what to expect and what specifically you may see in your child as a result of the treatment? … You also want to be sure to ask specifically how you can best support your child and how you will be involved in your child’s treatment throughout the process.”

PROFESSIONAL TESTIMONIES:

How do you know that counseling will really work for your child?  Well, not every child is a fit at Victor Counseling Practice.  However, if we feel that we cannot provide the most effective treatment for your child, we will guide you to the appropriate child specialist. As an example of successful treatment for a child, a Victor Counseling Practice parent stated recently:

“My child can manage bullying comments better; his grades are going up and he is not as irritable at home. I think he is going to make it through this school year okay.”

Collaboration with community services and the school is key to many children’s success.

WHAT VICTOR COUNSELING PRACTICE IN VICTOR, CAN TO OFFER YOU:

  • We have convenient hours, starting at 7 AM Monday through Thursday for those who need appointments before work or school, and as late as 8 PM on Monday Tuesdays and Wednesdays for those who need appointments after school, work or extra-curricular activities.
  • We accept most insurances. We will work with people who have financial hardship.
  • We are easily accessed from a 20-minute surrounding Victor, NY.
  • All therapists are licensed in NYS and have at least 20 years’ experience with childhood school behaviors.
  • Many children at the last session report enthusiastically that they want to return.

NEXT STEPS FOR HELP AND HEALING:

  1. Consult your Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician.
  2. Research your options for counseling in your area.
  3. Call or contact online Ontario County Children and Youth SPOA: 585-939-2993 if you desire more than counseling assistance.
  4. Call/Text Victor Counseling Practice in Victor, NY at 585-398-8835 for an appointment or more information.

Victor Counseling Practice: Counseling in Victor, NY.  Also Servicing Surrounding Areas Such as: Canandaigua, Farmington, Clifton Springs, Geneva, Shortsville, Macedon, Palmyra, Pittsford, Fairport and Bloomfield.