Sepia Prime Woman Digital Magazine September 2014 | Page 12

GUARDING YOUR CHILD’S EMOTIONAL HEALTH

Brian Apollo

SPW: What kinds of concerns do you see in your work as a School Psychologist?

As a school psychologist I am concerned about some of the negative impacts that our society has on the emotional and psychological development of our children. The development of a child shouldn't be taken for granted and it does take a community to raise a child. Children are introduced to a variety of beliefs, cultures, rules, and regulations and have to make choices on which ones they should believe in. School is the second training ground for children and the home is the first.

One of the major concerns I have is that when children are introduced to popular music, they are introduced to another group of beliefs, cultures, rules, and regulations that may conflict with what they've learned in school and at home (based upon the celebrity that they're looking up to). Sports, television shows, movies, talk shows; each introduces children to different groups of beliefs, cultures, rules, and regulations. This includes social media sites like Facebook, Myspace, Instagram, and Twitter. What happens if the messages conflict with what the child is learning at school or home? What if the child is unable to choose which group to listen to? What if the child decides to disregard what was taught at home and l

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ive the life of a rap song or an R&B song? What if a famous celebrity is promiscuous and a child idolizes that person? We see this lot in the school setting to the point where

t's rare to see the opposite. With these conflicts, children are slowly losing their identities and becoming what society is teaching them. As a psychologist, I try to let children be aware of what's being introduced to them so that they can be more aware and choose the beliefs that are the most rewarding and beneficial to their emotional and psychological development.

SPW: What are some signs parents should look for that indicate their children might be stressed?

Each child is different, but one of the things to be alert for is gradual change in behavior, attitudes, and conversation. Of course, if the child isn't a good communicator it would be difficult to separate whether it's stress or something more serious. If there is a dramatic or sudden change in behavior, attitude, and conversation, there may be something more serious like depression. Have a conversation with your child about it. It may be a relationship issue (children are always having those) or they may have difficulties adjusting to the demands of school. Just be aware.