One of the least discussed issues in schools is the amount of stress, depression and anxiety that is evident amongst kids/teens in public schools. Regardless on ones stance on education reform, this much we know is true regarding our kids: Stress is prevalent, and kids often do not have the tools to cope. Here is a reader/teacher comment from the attached article: This writer has real insights about the problems in Newton and the need for systemic response, beyond the current push to tell students they shouldnt take all honors classes. My daughter is a student at Newton South, and there *is* pressure from all sides for students to lose sleep. The scariest is the pressure coming from the Newton staff. Teachers give massive amounts of homework, often for the next day, so even a well-organized student has no choice but to stay up late if s/he has any other event that day (sports, music, family activity). Theres also always some teacher who doesnt honor no homework vacations -- there have been 3 this year and my daughters had homework for 2 of them. Im a teacher. I understand the value of homework, but there are there are ways to make homework smarter - to cut down on the scut work and focus on the essentials - but these require more effort on the teachers parts and more importantly coordinated efforts across teachers and departments, something which will only happen with administration impetus and support. If your child/teen is depressed, stressed or anxious, it is almost neurologically impossible for the brain to process and keep new academic information.| Parents are, and must always be, the resident experts of their own children. #earlylifepsych #kidshealth #stress
Posted on: Mon, 19 May 2014 16:44:05 +0000