Short guides for educators

Technology and the internet are a big part of students’ lives. They are important for many things like talking to friends and learning. But it is important to use technology in healthy ways. Many students spend a lot of time each day using screens for things like playing games, chatting with friends, doing school work, or being on social media. While this can be helpful, too much screen time can

Peers play very important roles in the social and emotional development of students. Relationships with peers provide a special context in which students learn many skills, such as cooperation and empathy. Peer influence starts early and grows stronger as students get older. As students begin developing independence from their parents and start understanding who they are, peers become a significant source of social and emotional support and pivotal in building

Self-injury can be scary, and it’s common for people to avoid talking about it. But talking about self-injury does not make it more likely to happen. Instead, it helps us understand the problem and think about ways to help those who hurt themselves. Self-injury means hurting oneself on purpose to deal with strong emotions like sadness, anger, or anxiety. The most common way people do this is by cutting or

Sometimes, learners experience things that seem strange or unusual. They might hear voices that others can’t or see things that aren’t there. They might become suspicious of others for no reason or have beliefs that don’t seem real. They might also act in ways that are hard to understand. These experiences can be frightening for both the learner and their educators. It’s important to remember that these problems are not

Learners might try alcohol and other substances for different reasons. They might start because they see others doing it, they are curious, or because of peer pressure. Alcohol is legal for adults in most places at age 18. Ads often show people having fun while drinking. The same goes for tobacco products like vapes and cigarettes. Many adults use these to relax and have a good time. But using these

Young learners often cannot pay attention for long, as they have a lot on their minds due to factors happening in their lives (e.g., they are trying to understand the world a little better). They are also full of energy and need to move around a lot. They can be impulsive, and they do not think through their actions, sometimes leading to hurt feelings, bruises, and scrapes. As learners grow,

Some learners may show behaviours that are more than just acting out of character. They might be aggressive, damage things, or take things that aren’t theirs. They may also not seem to care about others’ feelings. These actions can be very upsetting for educators and others around them. It’s important to know that these behaviours are not just normal misbehaviour. They can be signs that the learner needs help. With

All learners sometimes have trouble following rules or get upset. However, some learners have more frequent and intense problems with these behaviours. They may often feel angry or irritable and act out by not listening to adults and educators or annoying others on purpose. These behaviours can be challenging for educators and may lead to conflicts at school. It’s important to understand that these actions are not always intentional and

It is essential for everybody to eat.! We normally start and end our days with meals. It is believed that meal times bring together families, friends, and other groups for celebrations or even goodbyes. Regardless of dietary preferences, everyone must eat on a daily basis. Therefore, eating helps us stay alive, grow, and connect with others socially and emotionally. What is typical? Learners and teenagers have different eating habits due

There are usually times when learners or teenagers cannot stop thinking about a certain idea. It is often some of the things they like, for instance, a favourite TV show or video game. Contrary to that, they sometimes think about things they do not like or things that worry them. What is typical? Learners often get stuck on things they enjoy. For example: These kinds of obsessions are normal. They

Repetitive behaviours mean doing things over and over, sometimes in a certain pattern. For example, checking a door many times to make sure it is locked. Repetitive movements are actions you do again and again. These can be simple movements like blinking your eyes or twitching your fingers, or more complex movements like bending or touching objects. What is typical? Learners like routines because they feel safe and predictable. In

Being away from a caregiver can be hard for some students. Young students often feel scared when their caregiver isn’t around. This feeling is called separation fear. The world is new and sometimes scary for them, so they rely on their caregivers to feel safe. What is typical? Almost all students from 6 months to 3 years old get clingy and cry if their caregivers leave, even for a little