Welcome Back!

We are all happy to see you and welcome anyone who is new!

"Be courageous"

Pope Francis

St. Patrick's School Social Work Webpage

Mrs. Geraldine Welch, LMSW

As the school social worker, it is my goal to be a resource for students, families and teachers of St. Patrick's.  The social and emotional component to our students'  lives is very important, and we want to foster healthy relationships, encourage positive and productive social skills, and help with any conflict or struggle that a student might be experiencing.  My extension is 329, email is gwelch@stpathunt.org.  

"Pray. Hope. Don't worry."  

Padro Pio

☘️Resources for childhood anxiety:


Resources for Parents of Children with Anxiety Disorders

 WEBSITES

 • The Child Anxiety Network: www.childanxiety.net • WorryWise Kids: www.worrywisekids.org • Temple University's Child and Adolescent Anxiety Disorders Clinic: www.childanxiety.org   • UCLA Child and Adolescent OCD, Anxiety, and Tic Disorders Program: www.npi.ucla.edu/caap/ • New York University Child Study Center: www.aboutourkids.org • Massachusetts General Hospital School Psychiatry Program and MADI Resource Center: www.massgeneral.org/schoolpsychiatry/info_anxiety.asp • Anxiety Disorders Association of America: www.adaa.org • The Center for Mental Health Services: www.mentalhealth.org • American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: www.aacap.org • Academy of Cognitive Therapy: www.academyofct.org • Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies: www.abct.org • Pamela Rand's YoGuides: www.yoguides.com 


BOOKS FOR KIDS 


• Dutro, J. & Boyle, K. (1991). Night light: A story for children afraid of the dark. Magination Press, 3-7 yrs. (bedtime fears) •  Marcus, I. & Marcus, P. (1991). Scary night visitors: A story for children with bedtime fears. Magination Press, 3-7 yrs. (bedtime fears) •  Lite, L. (2007). Goodnight caterpillar. LiteBooks.net, 4-8 yrs. (relaxation) • Lite, L. (2007). A boy and a turtle. LiteBooks.net (relaxation) • Sisemore, T. (2008). I bet I won’t fret: A workbook to help children with Generalized Anxiety Disorders. Instant Help Books, 9-12 yrs. (generalized anxiety) • Thomson, T. (2002). Worry Wart Wes. Savor Publishing House, 4-8 yrs. (generalized anxiety) • Schaefer, C. & Friedman, J. (1992). Cat’s got your tongue: A story for children afraid to speak. Magination Press, 4-8 yrs. (selective mutism) • Shipon-Blum, E. (2003). Understanding Katie. Selective Mutism Anxiety Research and Treatment Center, 4-8 yrs. (selective mutism) •  Voerg, K. & Pando, N. (2005). I don’t want to go to school: Helping children cope with separation anxiety. New Horizon, 4-8 yrs. •  Viorst, J. & Chorao, K. (1992). The good-bye book. Alladin, 4-8 yrs. (separation anxiety) •  Niner, H. & Swearingen, G. (2004). Mr. Worry: A story about OCD. Albert Whitman & Co., 4-8 yrs. (OCD) • Wagner, A. P. & Jutton, P. A. (2004) Up and down the worry hill. Lighthouse Press, 9-12 yrs. (OCD). • Holmes, M. & Mudlaff, S. (2000). A terrible thing happened: A story for children who have witnessed violence or trauma. Magination Press, 4-8 yrs. (post-traumatic stress disorder) Resources for Parents of Children with Anxiety Disorders 


BOOKS FOR PARENTS 

• Chansky, T. E. (2001). Freeing your child from obsessive-compulsive disorder:  A powerful, practical program for parents of children and adolescents. Crown Publishing Group. • Chansky, T. E. (2004). Freeing your child from anxiety: Powerful, practical solutions to overcome your child’s fears, worries, and phobias. Broadway Books. • Chansky, T. E. (2008). Freeing your child from negative thinking.  Da Capo. • Crist, J. (2004). What to do when you are scared and worried: A guide for kids. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing. • Dacey, J. S., & Fiore, L. B. (2000). Your anxious child: How parents and teachers can relieve anxiety in children. Jossey-Bass. • Eisen, A. & Engler. L. (2006). Helping your child overcome separation anxiety or school refusal. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications. • Manassis, K. (1996). Keys to parenting your anxious child. Barron's Educational Series, Inc • Rapee, R. M., Spence, S., Cobham, V., & Wignall, A. (2000). Helping your anxious child: A step-bystep guide for parents. New Harbinger 



☘️Please read!   A movement is underway worldwide to encourage parents to collectively hold off smart phone (not flip phone) use until 16 years of age.  Please see the link provided below!

https://smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk/



☘️Data on Phone-Based Childhood

phttps://www.nicklauschildrens.org/campaigns/safesound/blogposts/nyu-professor-calls-for-an-end-to-the-phone-based-childhoodhone-based-childhood


☘️Podcast on Breathing Technique for Anxiety

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/podcasts/item/breathe_away_anxiety_cyclic_sighing_sarah_gerhardt_david_spiegel?utm_source=Greater+Good+Science+Center&utm_campaign=57cb2d0772-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_GG_Newsletter_September_26_2024&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5ae73e326e-57cb2d0772-75545619


☘️Important information about children's mental well-being:


"Anxiety among kids is on the rise.  Wider access to CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) may provide needed solutions."

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/10/child-anxiety-treatment



☘️Statistics and research from "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt:

https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/research/the-evidence



☘️What to look for if your child is depressed/anxious:

https://www.npcmc.com/2024/02/09/parents-guide-recognizing-signs-of-depression-and-anxiety-in-kids/




☘️Rainbow Breathing Technique  - - slows down the onset of anxiety and panic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIbBI-BT9c4&t=70s




☘️12 Tips for Raising Confident Kids

Model confidence yourself

Don't get upset about mistakes

Encourage them to try new things

Allow kids to fail

Praise perseverance

Help kids find their passion

Set goals

Celebrate effort

Expect them to pitch in

Embrace imperfection

Set them up for success

Show your love

(source:  childmindinstitute.org)




☘️POSITIVE PLAY CORNER

The space is designed for sensory play, games, group activities and creative fun!



☘️Long Islanders in Need

Food Insecurity on Long Island


234,000 Long Islanders are food insecure

65,000 of them are children

26,000 of them are seniors

40% of food insecure Long Island households are above the poverty level

Help support the Harry Chapin Food Bank - Long Island Cares

Source:  www.licares.org



☘️Three Ways to Inspire Kids to be Generous 

Model Kindness

Children learn best by seeing and imitating.  Observing adults and the consequences of their actions teaches children which behaviors and good or bad, kind or mean.

Avoid rewarding generosity

Generosity should be a character trait, not something done for a reward.  

Praise who they are, not what they do

To encourage your kids generosity this holiday season, praise their charitable actions by telling them they are a kind a person or that they are the type of kid who really understands how other people feel.

(source:  Greater Good: Berkley edu)



☘️Ongoing for the year:

The Breakfast Club.  Stop by my office on the first floor to color, play, or chat before going up to class.  My door opens at 7:15 and I send the children up before the bell rings at 7:40.  Its a nice way to ease into the day.  Open to all grade levels.  There is no sign up.


Recess Reset.  I will be out during recess each Friday with interactive games for any child who would like to partake.  It's a time to meet and greet, sit and be reflective, use art supplies, build, or just read.  Open to anyone who wants to stop by.  There is no sign up.


In the classrooms this year I have designated a 20 minute timeslot for SEL (social emotional learning) each week for grades pre-k  through 4th.  Each week we will discuss an important topic, ranging from empathy & compassion, coping skills, anger management, etc.  I will be in grades 5-8 with similar lessons but not on a weekly basis.


We have "Positive Play Groups" in the 1st, 2nd , and 3rd grade.  During their outside recess small groups of four focus on relationship skills and constructive play, once a month.  The children get to play in a smaller setting, with group games and activities.  We are outside, weather permitting.


Please check the webpage for any updates!   Any questions or concerns, please contact me at gwelch@stpathunt.org, or ext. 329.


Peace!

Geraldine Welch, LMSW