CLS Parent Support

  Think you’re bad at math? You may suffer from ‘math trauma’ Published: November 1, 2018 6:50am EDT   Updated: July 2, 2020 1:36pm EDT I teach people how to teach math, and I’ve been working in this field for 30 years. Across those decades, I’ve met many people who suffer from varying degrees of  math trauma  – a form of debilitating mental shutdown when it comes to doing mathematics. When people share their stories with me, there are common themes. These include someone telling them they were “not good at math,” panicking over timed math tests, or getting stuck on some math topic and struggling to move past it. The topics can be as broad as fractions or an entire class, such as Algebra or Geometry. The notion of who is – and isn’t – a math person drives the  research   I do  with my colleagues  Shannon Sweeny  and  Chris Willingham  with people earning their teaching degrees. One of the biggest challenges U.S. math educators ...

  ADHD Hyperfocus: The Secret Weapon to Unleashing Productivity and Creativity Think about the last time you were doing something you enjoyed, like reading a book or playing a musical instrument. Did the hours fly by, and your surroundings disappear? For those with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), this phenomenon is called hyperfocus. And it can happen pretty often. ADHD hyperfocus is a state of intense and prolonged concentration that some ADHDers experience. The individual can become so engaged in a particular activity that they become unaware of their surroundings and the passing of time. [1] This abundance of focus can be both a blessing and a curse – depending on how you channel it. It might help you  stay focused  on a task until you complete it. Or it could make it harder to manage the amount of time you spend on certain activities. But by implementing self-regulatory strategies, you can use the ability to hyperfocus to your advantage! Note:  T...

  Glyphosate: The Health Risks of the Most Common Herbicide Glyphosate, a broad-spectrum herbicide, has become a central figure in agricultural practices across North America since its introduction in the 1970s. Known commercially as Roundup, it revolutionized weed control, making it easier and more efficient for farmers to manage their crops. However, as its use has proliferated, so too have concerns regarding its health impacts. Let’s take a look at the health risks associated with glyphosate, its effects on the health of North Americans, the differences in its regulation globally, and the benefits of sourcing organic produce. ‍ The Rise of Glyphosate Glyphosate works by inhibiting an enzyme pathway, the shikimic acid pathway, which is crucial for plant growth. This pathway is absent in animals, initially leading to assumptions about its safety for humans and animals. Glyphosate’s widespread use can be attributed to the advent of genetically modified (GM) crops designed to resist...

  ADHD Paralysis Is Real: Here Are 8 Ways to Overcome it You  really  need to get things done but just can’t seem to get the ball rolling. You’re overwhelmed, frozen in place, and can’t even think about what to do first. That’s exactly what ADHD paralysis feels like. But what is ADHD paralysis? Also known as analysis paralysis or ADHD shutdown, ADHD paralysis happens when a person with ADHD is overwhelmed by information, emotions, or their environment. As a result, they freeze and can’t think or function effectively. Adults who experience ADHD paralysis find it much more challenging to focus and complete their tasks. Because of this, they may struggle to keep up with their commitments and responsibilities at work, school, or home. Note:  The above comes directly from their website.  Click here to learn more.

Begin each day with a committed heart for God! Check out Josh McDowell’s Daily Devotions for Families and Youth. Launch yourself on an unforgettable adventure in making right choices. The daily readings and reflection questions may make you laugh or really think, and each will help you discover how to do the right thing during the ups and downs of daily life. Be challenged and inspired to live for God like never before! Note: The above comes directly from their website. Click here to read more.

Kitchen Fire Safety Guide for Families The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in a home. It is also one of the areas of the home with the most risk factors for fire outbreaks. To keep every family as safe and healthy as possible, it is important to practice  fire safety in the kitchen . Cooking fires are the  leading cause of home fires in the United States  with a staggering  158,400 occurrences, on average, every year  between 2017 and 2021., Kitchen fire safety measures are not just precautions for protecting our property; they are also preventive measures to protect the lives of the family. Ranging from unattended stoves to grease accumulation and defective appliances, the mishaps that lead to kitchen fires are many but manageable. Discussing these risks and  cooking safety  best practices with our families is important in working together to maintain a safe and healthy home. Note:  The above comes directly from their website.  Cl...

  How Vision Affects Classroom Behavior and Academic Success Jun 30, 2024 With the new school year approaching, July is the perfect time to focus on the importance of children's eye health. Vision problems in children can significantly impact their behavior and academic performance in the classroom. Understanding the effects of poor vision on learning and behavior can help parents and educators take proactive steps to support children's success. Here’s how vision issues can affect a child's behavior and learning in school. Note:  The above comes directly from their website.  Click here to read more.

How to Build a Disaster Emergency Kit or "Go Bag" for Your Family Disasters and emergencies often strike unexpectedly. You may not have much time to gather essentials for your family if you must evacuate quickly for a hurricane, flood or wildfire , for example. Having an emergency kit ready to go in advance ensures you will have what you need and helps reduce stress and uncertainty during a crisis. Use these tips to help assemble one for your family. Preparing your emergency kit: where to start You can add items to your emergency kit over time. Start with the "should haves," and think about the "could haves" later. Keep in mind that some children may need some special food, supplies and information. (See "10 disaster kit tips for parents of children and youth with special health care needs," below.) Gather these "should have" items first: Note:  The above comes directly from their website.  Click here to read more.

  The Power of Attunement Attunement is our ability to be aware of and respond to our child’s needs. It is deeply connected to emotional attachment. Some children may have a very different temperament than that of a parent, or may not communicate affection in the same way, which can interfere with the quality of their emotional relationship. Parents can use a variety of techniques to increase their level of attunement. Note: The above comes directly from their website. Click here to learn more.

  Path To Wellness Food Allergies Nov 10, 2020 In order to obtain health we must understand what health is.  Most dictionaries define health as the state of being free from illness or injury.  Is that all health really is, the absence of illness and injury? If you look good, feel good, and have no physical injury or illness then you are healthy, right? Unfortunately, many people view health in this manner. They fail to realize many of today’s illnesses take years to develop until they actually affect how you feel. You must take into consideration that it can be anywhere from 20 to even 30 years for your arteries to clog enough to lead to a heart attack. The cancerous cell that killed someone in their fifties could have been present in their twenties! I prefer the definition of health as stated by the World Health Organization, “A state of optimal physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.  This definition makes it clea...

  A Parent’s Guide to Children’s Mental Health Amen Clinics January 22, 2025 Too many children and adolescents with mental health conditions go untreated. Research has found that approximately 70-80% of children with mental health disorders go without If your child catches the flu or sprains an ankle on the soccer field, you can see visible signs of the problem and you know what to do to treat it. But when it comes to your child’s mental health, it’s not so cut and dried. A child’s poor behavior or a depressed mood might be attributed to temperament or a developmental phase. Add to that the stigma surrounding mental health disorders and the challenge and expense of addressing them, it’s easy to see how parents may not readily see a problem, as research has found. Yet, a child’s mental health is paramount to their well-being and success in life. It’s especially important to identify and treat mental health issues early when they start. The National Alliance on Mental Health reports...

Why Dads Should Be Involved in Their Child's Therapy Family dynamics can make a parent feel invisible. All families are complex and rich with unique patterns that get created early on. A dominant parent can emerge because of personality differences and family habits. Both parents, however, have an important role to play in their child’s development. Research shows that children benefit greatly when their dads participate in their lives. Not so long ago, fathers were often kept out of the parenting loop. The growth of two-income families in our society has recently changed the rules. Biology, however, does not care about societal constraints. Just like mothers do, men undergo hormonal changes when they are about to have a baby, and in the year following the birth of their child. Their testosterone (male hormone associated with virility and aggression) goes down, while their oxytocin (so-called love hormone) goes up. These hormonal shifts make both men and women more nurturing, but t...

  5 Signs You May Have A Thyroid Problem & What To Do About It Are you feeling tired, depressed or experiencing mood swings? Are you struggling to lose weight? Are your periods heavy or irregular? Having troubles starting tasks or completing tasks? Can you not remember the last time you just plain felt great? Sounds like a thyroid problem. If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you might have low thyroid function, also known as hypothyroidism. Believe it or not, this condition is not rare. In fact, it’s the most common hormonal problem in the world, affecting more than 20 million Americans. So you’d think everyone suffering from hypothyroidism would know all about it, right? Wrong! Many people don’t even know thyroid dysfunction is what’s causing their unpleasant symptoms, so they continue to suffer unnecessarily with a condition that is TREATABLE. That's right, you don't have to continue living with a thyroid problem. You might have even had your thyroid hor...

  Keep an Eye on Your Child's Vision Vision screenings and eye exams As your child grows, their eyes can change quickly. Your child's pediatrician will likely screen your child's vision as part of their regular checkups. If they find signs of a vision problem, they may recommend an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam. A  vision screening  is an exam used to identify the children in need for additional eye care. It can be done by a family doctor, pediatrician, school nurse, or other health care professional. A  comprehensive eye exam  is a thorough exam done by an eye doctor—a specialist called an ophthalmologist or optometrist. The eye doctor can diagnose your child's medical or vision problem and provide treatment. If you have any concerns about your child's vision, ask their pediatrician to help you find an eye doctor.  Early detection and treatment  are key to protecting your child's vision. Note:  The above comes directly from their websit...

  RFK Jr. Says Antidepressants Are More Addictive Than Heroin. Here Are the Facts By Claire Bugos Published on February 18, 2025 Fact checked by Nick Blackmer Print   J Studios / Getty Images Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is now the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Hours after Kennedy was sworn in, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to direct Kennedy and his team to “prioritize gold-standard research on the root causes of why Americans are getting sick.” 1 Part of Trump’s sweeping “Making America Healthy Again” order is to “assess the prevalence of and threat" posed by the prescription of antidepressants and other medications. During Kennedy's confirmation hearings, he made several unfounded claims about antidepressants, including that they are as addictive as heroin. Kennedy used heroin for more than a decade in his youth and said he’s now been in recovery for more than 40 years. “I know people, including members of my family, who’ve had a much worse time gettin...

  5 Smartphone Safety Features That Take Less Than 5 Minutes to Activate Calls, texts, and social media are typically top of mind when we dive into our smartphones — but these little devices also have the ability to protect our health and even our lives. Though it may sound like a hassle to set up safety features on your cell phone (particularly when that Instagram feed refresh is calling your name), taking the time to prepare for the worst could massively pay off when you need it the most. “One of the big issues in personal preparedness and disaster preparedness is that most people don’t feel threatened until it’s too late,” Dr. Thomas Kirsch, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Refugee and Disaster Response, told  John Hopkins Medicine . So to help you get started, we rounded up five iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel safety features that will have your back in case of an emergency. The best part? They all take five minutes or less to set up. Note:  The above...

Tech Support for Parents Help for parents who wonder how to guide their children’s use of technology in today’s tech-risky culture. The camera pans in on his trembling hands. “She said she was 18…” he whispers – one final, futile effort to convince millions of TV viewers he’s not a monster. But the damage is done. We saw the transcripts of his sexually explicit emails to a “teen.” We watched him bring her a six pack and a box of condoms. We heard him ask where her parents were. Shows like NBC’s  To Catch a Predator  simultaneously repulse and rivet us. We can’t bear knowing men like this are stalking our kids–but we can’t bear not knowing what they’re up to. And in the wee hours after the show airs, when we’ve tossed and turned in the darkness, some of us long to sneak to the basement and rip the Internet cable from its jack. If only it were that simple. But many people’s livelihoods depend on Web access. Schools often require extensive online research. And let’s face it, the ...