Happy Holidays to you and yours from everyone at the Summit Center.

It is normal for our children to experience more stress and worry during the holidays. Among the traditional stressors of everyday life come common seasonal anxieties such as worrying how the family will get along during get-togethers and meals, worrying about getting all the vacation homework done during the longer breaks from school, worrying about losing track of school work during those breaks, the anticipation of holiday rituals and the stresses of waiting for pivotal moments such as lighting your own Hannukah candles or Christmas morning. Sometimes the way the holidays take us away from our normal, predictable routines and throw us into a temporarily busy and chaotic schedule may be enough to throw a child off balance. The most wonderful time of the year can also be the most stressful time of the year for some.

 

Read on for Dr. Dan Peters' top Worry Reminders and Anxiety Reducers

The US Department of Education is now encouraging schools to use the terms dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia. Our friends at Understood.org, a non-profit web site supporting parents of children with learning and attention issues, offers this article to explain what this might mean for you and your child.

 

"Last month the U.S. Department of Education (ED) issued a guidance letter to send a clear message to states and schools. The letter reminded them that there's nothing in the law stopping them from using the terms dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia. In fact, it encouraged them to do so. The letter also explained how these terms fit into the law that covers special education, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)."

 

Kathleen Crombie is pleased to offer a new monthly "advanced" discussion group of parents of gifted or 2e children beginning December 17. The group meets Thursday mornings, 11:00am-12:30pm, at Summit Center Walnut Creek. This group is recommended for parents who have attended a past SENG-model parent group and would like to continue to meet for insight and support.   Learn More and Register

 

If you have not joined a parent group previously, you should sign up for Kathleen's weekly introductory discussion group. This group meets Monday evenings in Oakland near Rockridge BART, starting January 25. Learn More and Register