Verified by Psychology Today

School Culture

Fostering success in school-age children

Social Media
Digital Parenting

Pamela D. Brown Ph.D. on March 4, 2024

Children’s usage of technology and social media has created numerous challenges for parents. Here are some suggestions for how parents can mitigate the downsides.

Children’s usage of technology and social media has created numerous challenges for parents. Here are some suggestions for how parents can mitigate the downsides.

Social Media
Real Talk About Kids and Technology

Pamela D. Brown Ph.D. on January 22, 2024

Many parents are instinctively wary of technology’s impact on their children’s lives. Here are facts and findings from recent data to put things in perspective.

Many parents are instinctively wary of technology’s impact on their children’s lives. Here are facts and findings from recent data to put things in perspective.

Altruism
How to Foster the Value of Generosity in Your Children

Pamela D. Brown Ph.D. on December 12, 2023

Generosity benefits the giver and the receiver. Cultivating and encouraging this quality early in your children’s lives helps it become well developed over time.

Generosity benefits the giver and the receiver. Cultivating and encouraging this quality early in your children’s lives helps it become well developed over time.

Anxiety
The Absence of Play

Pamela D. Brown Ph.D. on November 22, 2023

The increased rate of anxiety, depression and suicidality over the past several decades coincides with the decrease in play, that is critical to teaching essential life-skills.

The increased rate of anxiety, depression and suicidality over the past several decades coincides with the decrease in play, that is critical to teaching essential life-skills.

Education
How to Respond When Your Child's Teacher Is "Mean"

Pamela D. Brown Ph.D. on October 20, 2023

When children come home reporting that teachers don’t like them, they may be misinterpreting their teachers' behavior. Here’s how parents can help.

When children come home reporting that teachers don’t like them, they may be misinterpreting their teachers' behavior. Here’s how parents can help.

Education
What Teachers Say Behind Closed Doors

Pamela D. Brown Ph.D. on August 2, 2023

Parents can benefit from knowing how teachers and administrators wish they would behave. Here’s what I have learned from talking with them.

Parents can benefit from knowing how teachers and administrators wish they would behave. Here’s what I have learned from talking with them.

Emotion Regulation
Helping Your Children Manage Their Emotions

Pamela D. Brown Ph.D. on July 7, 2023

Summer is a great time to help your children practice skills related to emotional regulation. Here are some suggestions for how to help them reframe situations.

Summer is a great time to help your children practice skills related to emotional regulation. Here are some suggestions for how to help them reframe situations.

Bullying
The First Step in Helping Your Child Deal With Meanness

Pamela D. Brown Ph.D. on March 23, 2023

Acts of meanness toward your child provide critical teaching moments for the present as well as the future. How we interpret others’ behavior is critical to our reaction.

Acts of meanness toward your child provide critical teaching moments for the present as well as the future. How we interpret others’ behavior is critical to our reaction.

Motivation
Rejection Is Not the End of the World

Pamela D. Brown Ph.D. on February 15, 2023

Rejection stings, but there are ways to reframe the experience that will help you and your children keep goals in sight and find other paths forward.

Rejection stings, but there are ways to reframe the experience that will help you and your children keep goals in sight and find other paths forward.

Resilience
Why Doesn't My Child Tell Me Anything?

Pamela D. Brown Ph.D. on January 19, 2023

Many parents are frustrated by their children choosing not to communicate with them about their daily lives. Here’s what to do about it.

Many parents are frustrated by their children choosing not to communicate with them about their daily lives. Here’s what to do about it.

Confidence
Why Do Bright, Capable Children Underperform Academically?

Pamela D. Brown Ph.D. on November 21, 2022

Some kids with clear academic abilities end up underperforming. Here’s how to enlist the school’s help, convince your child of their ability, and re-engage them in school.

Some kids with clear academic abilities end up underperforming. Here’s how to enlist the school’s help, convince your child of their ability, and re-engage them in school.

Anxiety
What to Do When Your Child Refuses to Go to School

Pamela D. Brown Ph.D. on September 30, 2022

Parents who let their kids avoid school decrease their exposure to academic content and deprive them of opportunities to practice social and coping skills they will need as adults.

Parents who let their kids avoid school decrease their exposure to academic content and deprive them of opportunities to practice social and coping skills they will need as adults.

Anxiety
Is Too Much Independence Making Kids Anxious and Depressed?

Pamela D. Brown Ph.D. on August 19, 2022

Kids attending high-achieving schools are at particular risk for anxiety and depression. They take on too much, thinking it’s the ticket to a great college and future success.

Kids attending high-achieving schools are at particular risk for anxiety and depression. They take on too much, thinking it’s the ticket to a great college and future success.