Vasilia Graboski
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Psyched Writer

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This blog is a resource for fellow therapists, parents and teachers. I will provide suggestions and reviews of books that I have found especially therapeutic and useful for various social-emotional issues.  And...my favorite part...I will provide accompanying activities related to the book to help with teaching social-emotional skills.

​I would love for you to check it out and give me your feedback. 

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Stop, Breathe, Think, Go!

3/15/2021

2 Comments

 

 A Book Review of Becca Epps Learns to Be

Becca Epps Learns to Be
Written by: Amy R. Murrell
​Illustrated by: Melissa Londoño Connally
Published by: Shawnee Scientific Press

Becca Epps Learns to Be is one of a series of books, written by psychologist, Amy Murrell, PhD. She has written this series as a tool to help children learn the therapeutic process of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The focus of this therapeutic approach is basically "paying attention on purpose for a purpose." 
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Becca Epps Learns to Be focuses on behavioral issues typically associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), however, the issues and behaviors within the story can relate to all children at one time or another. Children struggling with ADHD types of issues will surely relate to Becca. Through Becca, the author clearly captures the workings of the ADHD mind, with the tendency to act on impulse, daydream and become overwhelmed easily. Despite these issues, Becca is presented as a likeable character with her spirited personality shining through. 

​This book is packed chock full of coping strategies, which are part of the ACT therapeutic process. The coping strategies presented relate to mindfulness and can benefit all children, and adults alike. The first strategy demonstrated is one that I've used often in my practice and find very helpful. It is the stoplight strategy, which is a great visual self-control tool to assist kids in slowing down to think before they act. Many strategies for focusing on the moment and paying attention to your body are modeled by Becca and presented in a child-friendly way. The book realistically addresses the difficulty in focusing your mind on these strategies and carrying them through. 

The illustrator, Melissa Londoño Connally, captures Becca's spirit and energy throughout the book. Becca is depicted as a character in the older age ranges of a picture book. Therefore, this book can be used therapeutically for a broader age group ranging from 4 to 11 years old. 

Ms. Murrell provides a wealth of helpful information at the end of the book, including a note to adults, discussion questions and further activity ideas. This book will be a very helpful addition to your therapeutic, home or classroom library.
Check it out and purchase ​here, along with other helpful books in the Becca Epps series.

***I have an exciting announcement this month! I am going to feature, Amy Murrell, the author of this book, in an interview at the end of the month! She has reviewed research extensively on the benefits of bibliotherapy and will share with us her findings, as well as share more about her book series. Check back at the end of the month for this exciting and informative interview!***

I have provided an activity idea below based on the stoplight self-control strategy presented in the book. ​

Activity Idea for Becca Epps Learns to Be

The most important activity to go along with this book is to practice the mindfulness exercises presented. If you practice these skills with the child often when they are calm and attentive, they are more likely to use them at times when they are most needed. Make these strategies a part of your routine! 

Materials needed: 
-shoe box 
-cardboard or heavy paper
-black paint
-glass to trace circles
​-Sharp scissors 
- X-acto knife
-strong glue
-Cellophane in red, yellow and green(or tissue paper can work)
-flameless tealight candles -3

***I got a little over-excited and extravagant with this project! You could also simply use a piece of cardboard, glue on 3 circles cut from construction paper for the lights and move on from there! This might work much better for the younger kids. 
Directions: 
1. Trace 3 circles on the bottom of the shoe box
using a cup or glass. Start with the middle circle
so you can place the circles evenly.
















​
​
2. Cut out circles using X-acto knife or sharp
scissors (adult job!). *Be careful not to cut box
between circles like I did!








3. Through the holes, poke a hole on the other
side of box (top of box) in middle of circle, for the candles. 





​4. Turn box over and cut out a small half circles
where you had pierced the box with X-acto knife. 







5. Paint box; Let dry







6. Cut cellophane pieces in red, yellow and green to fit behind holes and cover lights. I used a triple layer. 




​7.. Open box and on inside place glue around circles, sticking the right color cellophane on the holes in the right order of a traffic light. 















​8. On the inside of the top of the box, glue the flameless candles, so on/off switch shows through hole; Replace top of box.













​9. Write the following directions with marker on 3 cardboard pieces or heavy paper; 
       1. STOP! Listen for the smallest sound. 
       BREATHE!

       2. THINK about your choices. 

       3. ACT! 

​10. Glue next to corresponding light.

​
11. Role-play with the child. Describe a scenario, turning each light on, starting with red.  Have child tell you where he should start and what he should do with each color. Practice each skill! 

For example, 
Scenario: John grabbed your pencil off your desk. 
Red light on: Child stops, closes eyes,
listens for slightest sounds, BREATHES. 

Yellow light on: Child brainstorms options.
ie. -scream for teacher's attention
-hits John
-grab pencil back

-ask John nicely to return pencil
-Tell John it makes you angry when he grabs your stuff
etc. 
***Child picks the best choice.
​
Green light on: Child acts on their best choice. 
Makes choice of asking him nicely for pencil back and acts on this. 








OR This is the much easier, quicker project option!! 

1. Paint cardboard rectangle; if desired

​

​


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2. Trace circles on construction paper using cup; cut circles




​

3. Glue circles on rectangle







​4. Finished project! Role-play with child.
See # 11 above. 
Thanks again to my talented artist helper for assisting with the project!
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2 Comments

What Are Your Superpowers?

10/12/2019

2 Comments

 

A Book Review of The Classroom Mystery; a book about ADHD.

The Classroom Mystery
a book about ADHD

Written By: Dr. Tracy Packiam Alloway
Illustrated By: Ana Sanfelippo
Publisher: QED Publishing

Since October is ADHD Awareness Month, I thought I'd celebrate by reviewing a book on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder! The Classroom Mystery; a book about ADHD is a recently released book written by an award-winning Psychologist, Dr. Tracy Packiam Alloway, who specializes in the brain and memory. This book is most appropriate for children ages 5 to 9. 
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ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed Behavior Disorder in children under 18 years of age. It is also the most over-diagnosed disorder, as many disorders of childhood present with similar symptoms. Hyperactivity, distractibility and impulsiveness can be present in many other disorders including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety Disorders,  Autism and budding Bipolar Disorder. Therefore, it is important to obtain an evaluation by a mental health professional who explores the child's developmental and family history. The professional should also obtain detailed feedback from parents and teachers, along with doing careful observations of the child. ​

Despite the complications of diagnosis, ADHD is real and creates much difficulty for the child at home, in the classroom, and often, in the community. ADHD frequently overlaps with other disorders including Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Learning Disabilities, Sensory Processing Disorders, Anxiety and Conduct Disorder. This is another reason it is difficult to diagnose as there are often multiple things going on. 

One of the most common side effects with children with ADHD that I have noticed in my practice, is the repeated negativity they receive in all settings. Their behaviors can be very trying on adult caregivers and teachers which often leads to significant negative feedback. They often become scapegoated by their peers and are often in trouble. This leads to poor self-esteem in addition to all of the other issues. ​This book goes a long way in helping that issue as it celebrates the positive attributes of children with ADHD.

Izzy, the main character, presents with many problems in the classroom, including getting hyper-focused on a thought, difficulty focusing on the current discussion, an inability to sit still, making distracting noises such as tapping foot, drumming fingers, snapping her hair clip, humming, etc. She also climbs on her desk and while doing so, all of her books crash to the floor disrupting the whole class. Many parents and teachers can relate to observing these behaviors!

However, there was a problem in the classroom with the pet rabbit's food disappearing and this is what Izzy cannot get off her mind. Due to her good problem solving skills, a very strong working memory, and a particularly strong interest in the missing food, Izzy is able to be a leader with problem solving and presents as the classroom hero as she is able to solve the mystery of the rabbit food thief! Her great memory and problem solving skills are her SUPERPOWERS.

This is an excellent book for kids with ADHD to read to gain awareness of their ADHD issues. The main takeaway from the book is to point out that ADHD kids, like all kids,  have many strengths and can contribute a great deal of positive to the world around them. These strengths need to be acknowledged and highlighted. Dr. Alloway offers a Note to Parents/Teachers at the end of the book providing much information on ADHD. She also provides Discussion Points for the reader to help kids increase their comprehension and personal awareness.

The Classroom Mystery; a book about ADHD is part of the Superpowers Series celebrating positive traits associated with common Special Educational Needs. All of the books in this series are printed in "dyslexia-friendly fonts" to make it easier for children with learning disabilities to read. Three other books in this series are being released soon by this author. Check out her website at https://tracyalloway.com!

For more information on ADHD, a great resource to refer to is http://www.chadd.com. 
​

Activity Idea for The Classroom Mystery

After reading the book, why not have kids identify their own SUPERPOWERS?!  Making a SUPERHERO PUPPET would make this exercise especially fun! This activity can be beneficial for all children, not only children diagnosed with ADHD.

Materials needed:
paper bag
mask template
white cardstock
construction paper or cardstock-various colors
crayons/markers
black marker
scissors
glue​
Directions:
1. Print mask template of your choice onto white cardstock
using this link: 
https://www.firstpalette.com/printable/superhero-mask.html


​


2. Color mask







3. Cut out mask







4. Glue mask on bag








5. Cut out cape to fit bag 




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​
6. Glue cape on back of bag





​

7. Color bag however child prefers












8. Draw on eyes and mouth with black marker












9. Discuss with child his/her special talents or
SUPERPOWERS and write these on the back of cape









​


10.Have child use puppet to tell you his/her SUPERPOWERS! Have fun!

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