THE ROAD MAP

In this newsletter, you’ll find:

🚦 First stop (School absenteeism)

🛤️ Site-seeing at mylemarks.com (New social skills worksheets)

📡 On the Radar (Classroom mindfulness, fall sports, and more)

📊 Results are in (Poll results from the last edition)

✍🏽 U(r)-Turn (Let’s hear from you)

🤗 Sharing is Caring (spread the mylemarker love and earn)

Let’s go!

FIRST STOP

👩‍🏫 The Growing Concern of Chronic Absenteeism in Schools

Chronic absenteeism has become a significant issue in schools post-pandemic, with 26% of public school students considered chronically absent in 2023, up from pre-pandemic rates. Mental health challenges are a major contributor, as many students who experienced trauma during the pandemic, such as the loss of a parent, struggle to return to school consistently. One principal described a student who, after losing his mother to COVID-19, became deeply withdrawn, attending school for only one month over three years. Schools are trying to address these challenges by providing tailored support, including mental health services, but convincing parents to utilize these resources remains a challenge.

Educators are also grappling with helping students re-adapt to school environments, where deadlines and social interactions have become more demanding compared to the flexible, remote learning setups. The principal emphasized the importance of not just focusing on academic recovery but also on rebuilding students' social skills, which are crucial for their overall development. The long-term impact of chronic absenteeism is a growing concern, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to address both the academic and emotional needs of students as they reintegrate into the school system.

RELATED: Mental health struggles linked to absenteeism and lower grades

SITE-SEEING at mylemarks.com

New Worksheet Series: Socially Skilled

The Socially Skilled series is a line of handouts helping kids learn appropriate behaviors in a variety of social settings including the classroom, lunchroom, playground, restaurant, sports, and at the store. Each handout provides kid-friendly tips for expected behavior. Explore the series below or save 33% when you buy the bundle of 6 for $5.00!

• SOCIALLY SKILLED BUNDLE

• In the Classroom

• In the Lunchroom

• At the Playground

• Playing Sports

• At a Restaurant

• At the Store

Did You See Our Back to School Resources?

Visit the Mylemarks store to find resources to help kids cope with feelings, set goals, and share their experiences as they transition to the new school year.

• The New School Year

• My School Year Preview

• Going to Middle School

• Going to High School

• First Day of School Questions

• Back-2-School Worries

• Before School Checklist

• After School Checklist

• Coping with Change: School’s Back!

• The New Kid

ON THE RADAR

🧘🏽 Mindfulness in the Classroom

As students head back to school, a growing number of educators are incorporating mindfulness practices into their classrooms to support student mental health. Mindfulness programs are being implemented in schools across the country to help students manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. These programs aim to teach students mindfulness techniques such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing, and self-reflection to improve their emotional regulation and resilience.

Research has found that these programs are beneficial, especially in areas with high levels of stress or trauma and areas where there is less access to psychologists and counselors. Teachers and students alike have noticed benefits including improved focus, reduced behavioral problems, and enhanced overall well-being.

✨ RELATED ARTICLE: Teachers, Try This: Address Student Behavior Issues With Somatic Check-Ins

📖 Author John Schu's Top Mental Health Book Recommendations for Kids

Children's book author and advocate John Schu is speaking out about the importance of mental health representation in literature for young readers. Schu shares his top book recommendations that tackle mental health topics in a way that is relatable and accessible to kids. Schu emphasizes the need for stories that normalize mental health discussions and provide kids with the language and tools to express their emotions. His recommended books include titles that address anxiety, depression, and self-acceptance, such as "Wemberly Worried" by Kevin Henkes and "The Rabbit Listened" by Cori Doerrfeld.

Research has shown that reading about characters who experience mental health challenges can increase empathy and understanding in young readers, with one study finding that 70% of kids who read books about mental health reported feeling more comfortable discussing their own feelings.

🏈 Balancing Fall Sports and Mental Health

As the fall sports season begins, Dr. Archana Dubey emphasizes the importance of balancing extracurricular sports with teen mental health. While participating in sports can have numerous physical and social benefits, it can also lead to stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges if not managed properly. To help your child thrive academically, athletically, and socially, Dr. Dubey suggests developing a game plan, creating a routine, scheduling a well-child visit, and listening often to discuss mental health. Research has shown that student-athletes are at a higher risk of mental health issues, with one study finding that 64% of student-athletes reported feeling overwhelmed and 45% reported feeling anxious.

🤗 What Teens Really Need When They’re Upset

When teens are upset, they often seek understanding rather than solutions. A recent survey revealed that teens prefer parents to listen, give them space, and validate their feelings instead of immediately offering advice or trying to fix their problems. This approach is crucial as teens navigate more complex emotional landscapes, often dealing with stress, anxiety, and social challenges. Experts also emphasize that teens have their own coping strategies, such as music or connecting with friends, which should be respected and encouraged. For parents, modeling healthy coping mechanisms and being approachable are key to supporting their teen's mental health effectively. This not only helps teens feel understood but also empowers them to manage their emotions more effectively.

✨ RELATED RESOURCE: Coping Skills for Teens

📱 Study Links Early Childhood Tablet Use to Anger Outbursts

In a recent CBS Evening News segment, the increasing use of tablets as "digital pacifiers" for managing preschool-aged children’s challenging behaviors was examined. Studies show that children who spend 75 minutes or more on screens daily are more prone to difficulties with anger, frustration, and emotional regulation as they age. This creates a cycle where screen time is relied upon to manage these behaviors, potentially stunting the development of internal coping mechanisms.

Caroline Fitzpatrick, the study’s author, highlights that frequent use of screens for calming can prevent children from learning to handle adverse emotions independently. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time to one hour of educational content per day for children aged 2 and up, stressing the importance of allowing children to develop their own emotional resilience and coping skills alongside any screen use.

✨ RELATED ARTICLE: Teachers Are Sharing What Screams "Unlimited Screen Time" In Students, And It's Eye-Opening

RESULTS ARE IN

In the last edition of the mylemarker, we asked, What are your thoughts on AI integration in special ed and kids’ mental health services? from our feature article from Edweek.org. See the results and a few responses below!

U(R)-TURN

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