Research has found that conversations about race lessen the presence of prejudice and bias, but these conversations are much less likely to occur in white families than they are in families of color. Children are keen observers. As they grow, in the absence of conversations with people they trust, children make sense of what they see in the world around them in ways that justify inequities. They also start to internalize stereotypes and prejudices, even if they live in homes where these views are not promoted. As they get older, these internalized observations become hard-to-change implicit biases. In this special addition to the "Advice for Parents" series, Dr. Elana Wolkoff, associate professor of School Psychology at William James College, presents information for white parents and adults on how to talk with, and listen to, children and adolescents about race and discrimination. We have a lot of work to do to counter racism in our society, she says, but it won’t get done if we’re not able to talk about it.

Rosie Turner, who is completing her second year in the School Psychology Program, offers tips for parents about how to talk to teens about social stressors during this unprecedented time.

Sandy Li and Aurore Siano discuss tips for parents on how to manage their own mental health right now, along with their child’s.

Sandy Li and Aurore Siano, who are both completing their final year in the School Psychology program, discuss strategies for managing children's behavior at home.

Rose Perez, a second-year graduate student in the School Psychology program, discusses how involving kids in chores can provide benefits to both the parent and the child.

Alyssa Repetto, a second-year graduate student in the School Psychology program, offers suggestions for activities that are educational and memorable, and give children and parents time away from their electronic devices.

Connor Fallon, second year Master’s and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (MA/CAGS) student discusses the benefits of making time to read with your child. Reading is a foundational activity for many academic skills, it also helps to create deeper parent/child bonds.

Carolyn Kaye, a rising third-year School Psychology student at William James College, addresses how to talk with children about the abrupt end to the school year, and offers age and response-appropriate tips about how to help your child find closure.

Between juggling work responsibilities, relationships, and home-life needs, and the pressures created by the COVID19 pandemic, parents are managing a lot right now. School Psychologists generally work in schools to support children’s mental health, behavior, and their ability to benefit from instruction; they also work with parents to support children's needs. Under the guidance of Dr. Elana Wolkoff, associate professor of School Psychology, students in the William James College School Psychology program created this collection of brief lessons to help parents in the context of current pressures, and to increase positive interactions at home while school is out.

Learn how to calm anxiety quickly, this clip discusses guided imagery. This series is hosted by Dr. Julie L. Ryan, associate professor of Clinical Psychology and director of the Children and Families of Adversity and Resilience Concentration, and Dr. Nadja Reilly, clinical psychologist and associate director of the Freedman Center for Child and Family Development.