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Capital Region BOCES
Archive for 2014
There is a stigma surrounding mental health issues that makes starting a conversation difficult. When comedic actor Robin Williams committed suicide in August, reportedly motivated by severe depression, people around the world were stunned and saddened, prompting many to post tributes to him and send supportive messages for his family and friends through both social […]
A new virus sweeping through the Midwest — and now appearing in the northeast including New York state — has parents concerned and health officials on alert. The virus, known as Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), has hit children particularly hard, sickening hundreds. EV-D68 is believed to be associated with the common cold, but symptoms can quickly […]
Preschoolers crave structure and routine – whether they know it or not. An ordered life provides a sense of security and helps teach about boundaries, expectations and how to follow a routine. Why are routines important? Routines can help children learn healthy habits, such as brushing their teeth, washing their hands after going to the […]
As the lazy days of August dwindle and the first day of school looms on the horizon, parents everywhere are gearing up for the (often dreaded) back-to-school supplies shopping trip. Despite the fact that we know it’s coming each year – in fact, many elementary schools send home school supply lists with the year-end report […]
A new school year means readjusting to a schedule that frequently includes lots of extracurricular activity, in addition to homework and responsibilities at home. While we want our children to be active, their happiness relies on another key ingredient: family time. Experts point to a number of reasons why family time is important. When parents […]
The transition from middle school to high school can trigger a wide range of feelings – from excitement about increased independence and anxiety about social issues to stress about the workload and nervousness about just about everything else. No parent wants his or her child to be anxious about going to high school – or […]
Anxious feelings are normal and expected in times of transition, particularly with a change such as going back to school. For younger children, anxiety often revolves around separating from parents. For older children, it’s frequently about social situations such as fitting in, making new friends and personal performance in specific areas such as academics, music […]
There’s no doubt doing something for someone else can make you feel good. But there are other benefits to volunteering as well, such as learning new skills, connecting with people you might not have otherwise gotten to know and showing responsibility by committing to a helping opportunity. Other benefits aren’t exactly selfless – such as […]
At 18 years old, my friend was asked to donate blood by an American Red Cross student volunteer. Initially she said no, but finally made a deal with the volunteer that she would donate if he would do something that made her laugh. The boy agreed and tried a few unsuccessful jokes, then pretended to […]