SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY - An Indian perspective - Dr. B. Imtiyaaz

Objective of the Presentation – is to answer What is school psychology and who is a school psychologist? Why India needs it? Modus operandi of school psychology in India?

What is school psychology and who is a school psychologist?

Why India needs it?

Modus operandi of school psychology in India?

Our Honorable President Respected Abdul Kalam in his speech at New Delhi on 20/01/2005 quoted “ The biggest problem Indian youth faced, I felt, was a lack of clarity of vision, a lack of direction. It was then that I decided to write about the circumstances and people who made me what I am today; the idea was not merely to pay tribute of some individuals or highlight certain aspects of my life. What I wanted to say was that no one, however poor, unprivileged or small need feel disheartened about life."

Are not these lines depicting the importance of School Psychology? Mental Health is how people think, feel, and act as they face life's situations. It affects how people handle stress, relate to one another, and make decisions. Mental health influences the way individuals look at themselves, their lives, and others in their lives. Like adults, children and adolescents do have mental health disorders that interfere with the way they think, feel, and act. When untreated, mental health disorders lead to school failure, family conflicts, drug abuse, violence, and even suicide. School psychology is just a spectrum, providing guidance to these children.

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY ? A branch of psychology which concentrates on the mental, emotional , social, physical and spiritual development of the child in relation to the school age and its living atmosphere.

School Psychology understands that all children learn when given Adequate supports and resources Recognition of their individual needs Connection to and trust in adults Opportunities to achieve Acceptance and encouragement Cooperation between school and home

Adequate supports and resources

Recognition of their individual needs

Connection to and trust in adults

Opportunities to achieve

Acceptance and encouragement

Cooperation between school and home

School Psychologists link mental health to learning and behavior to promote: High academic achievement Positive social skills and behavior Healthy relationships and connectedness Tolerance and respect for others Competence, self-esteem, and resiliency Emotional & spiritual development

High academic achievement

Positive social skills and behavior

Healthy relationships and connectedness

Tolerance and respect for others

Competence, self-esteem, and resiliency

Emotional & spiritual development

Why Children Need School Psychologists Learning difficulties Behavior concerns Attention problems Problems at home or with peers Fears about war, violence, terrorism Depression and other mental health issues Lack of guidance regarding life management

Learning difficulties

Behavior concerns

Attention problems

Problems at home or with peers

Fears about war, violence, terrorism

Depression and other mental health issues

Lack of guidance regarding life management

School Psychologist?

A graduate or a postgraduate in psychology with these qualities Sound knowledge in developmental psychology (child & adolescence) Expertise in Psychotherapy, CBT, Counseling Techniques & Psychological Testing Knowledge in Educational Psychology Trained in handling gifted children Awareness about different school curriculums and their expectations

Sound knowledge in developmental psychology (child & adolescence)

Expertise in Psychotherapy, CBT, Counseling Techniques & Psychological Testing

Knowledge in Educational Psychology

Trained in handling gifted children

Awareness about different school curriculums and their expectations

The qualities have to be complemented with Emptied Mind without any prejudice about children Instant Rapport Establishment & Communication strength to sustain the rapport for a long time Updated information about global happenings Patience to listen & Willingness to help

Emptied Mind without any prejudice about children

Instant Rapport Establishment & Communication strength to sustain the rapport for a long time

Updated information about global happenings

Patience to listen & Willingness to help

What Do School Psychologists Do? Assessment Consultation Prevention Intervention Education Research and program development Mental health care

Assessment

Consultation

Prevention

Intervention

Education

Research and program development

Mental health care

Assessment School psychologists work with children, parents and staff to help determine a child’s: Academic skills Learning aptitudes and styles Personality and emotional development Social skills and behavior issues Learning environments, school climate Special education eligibility

School psychologists work with children, parents and staff to help determine a child’s:

Academic skills

Learning aptitudes and styles

Personality and emotional development

Social skills and behavior issues

Learning environments, school climate

Special education eligibility

Consultation Help teachers, parents, and administrators understand child development and learning Provide positive alternatives for helping children with learning and behavior problems Strengthen working relationships among educators, parents, and society

Help teachers, parents, and administrators understand child development and learning

Provide positive alternatives for helping children with learning and behavior problems

Strengthen working relationships among educators, parents, and society

Prevention Implement programs to build positive connections between students and adults Identify potential learning difficulties early Design programs for children at risk Help adults to address problem behavior(s) Foster tolerance and appreciation of diversity Create safe, supportive learning environments

Implement programs to build positive connections between students and adults

Identify potential learning difficulties early

Design programs for children at risk

Help adults to address problem behavior(s)

Foster tolerance and appreciation of diversity

Create safe, supportive learning environments

Intervention Work face-to-face with children and teachers Develop individualized solutions for learning and adjustment Plan and implement crisis response Provide Counseling Social skills training Behavior management solutions

Work face-to-face with children and teachers

Develop individualized solutions for learning and adjustment

Plan and implement crisis response

Provide

Counseling

Social skills training

Behavior management solutions

Education Train teachers and parents in: Teaching and learning strategies Parenting techniques Classroom management techniques Working with exceptional students Strategies to address substance abuse and risky behaviors Crisis prevention and response Children management

Teaching and learning strategies

Parenting techniques

Classroom management techniques

Working with exceptional students

Strategies to address substance abuse and risky behaviors

Crisis prevention and response

Children management

Research and Program Development Recommend and implement evidence-based programs and strategies Generate new knowledge of learning and behavior Evaluate effectiveness of programs and interventions Contribute to school-wide reform and restructuring

Recommend and implement evidence-based programs and strategies

Generate new knowledge of learning and behavior

Evaluate effectiveness of programs and interventions

Contribute to school-wide reform and restructuring

Mental Health Care Deliver school-linked mental health services Coordinate with teachers, parents, and school management in bettering mental health of the children Partner with parents and teachers to create healthy school environments

Deliver school-linked mental health services

Coordinate with teachers, parents, and school management in bettering mental health of the children

Partner with parents and teachers to create healthy school environments

Why Indian schools need a school psychologist?

The following slides will let you know how Indian children are badly managed in the time of cultural transition and what they are up to? All those points listed here are coming out of my 4 years experience in all types schools and every point has got its own evidence in the school counseling diary.

The following slides will let you know how

Indian children are badly managed in the

time of cultural transition and what they are up to?

All those points listed here are coming out of my 4

years experience in all types schools and every

point has got its own evidence in the school

counseling diary.

Issues faced by Today’s Children Parent Child Misunderstanding School demands and frustrations Changes in their bodies - Peer Pressure Lack of Guidance, Support & Encouragement Chronic illness or severe problems in the family Family Pressure, Social Pressure & School Pressure Feelings of sadness or loss and extremes of emotions

Parent Child Misunderstanding

School demands and frustrations

Changes in their bodies - Peer Pressure

Lack of Guidance, Support & Encouragement

Chronic illness or severe problems in the family

Family Pressure, Social Pressure & School Pressure

Feelings of sadness or loss and extremes of emotions

Unrecognized Mental, Emotional, & Behavior Disorders Negative thoughts and feelings about themselves Living in a sexually potent environment Taking on too many activities Having too high expectations Mass media and its influence Love & Sexual Problems Relationship Break ups Physical Disabilities

Unrecognized Mental, Emotional, & Behavior Disorders

Negative thoughts and feelings about themselves

Living in a sexually potent environment

Taking on too many activities

Having too high expectations

Mass media and its influence

Love & Sexual Problems

Relationship Break ups

Physical Disabilities

The Outcome – The Outcry Depression catches up Illegal sex and love affairs Cultural and adapting problems Violent Behavior and adamancy Behavioral Problems catch up the child Attention Deficit disorders sometimes anxiety Attention turns towards violence & sex, or love

Depression catches up

Illegal sex and love affairs

Cultural and adapting problems

Violent Behavior and adamancy

Behavioral Problems catch up the child

Attention Deficit disorders sometimes anxiety

Attention turns towards violence & sex, or love

Suicide seems to be the remedy for all worries Concentration gets affected in a sexually potent environment In trying to adapt to the changing fashion and culture, they loose their characters Child gets to know everything from pin to plane, but lacks guidance on how, when and where to use it or what to do with that. Lack of Personality development, social learning and behavior patterns – they do what they think and alter their thoughts when get affected, if not adverse reactions start to embrace.

Suicide seems to be the remedy for all worries

Concentration gets affected in a sexually potent environment

In trying to adapt to the changing fashion and culture, they loose their characters

Child gets to know everything from pin to plane, but lacks guidance on how, when and where to use it or what to do with that.

Lack of Personality development, social learning and behavior patterns – they do what they think and alter their thoughts when get affected, if not adverse reactions start to embrace.

Common Issues at Schools Discouraging teachers teachers being partial to students Masters using abusive languages to girls Boring Classes leading to lack of interests Not listening to the student issues

Discouraging teachers

teachers being partial to students

Masters using abusive languages to girls

Boring Classes leading to lack of interests

Not listening to the student issues

Speaking about the past and hurting students Making fun which affects emotions Beating / scolding Children Speaking about student family Teasing Making Petty things in to a bigger one Discussing student personal issues with other co teachers

Speaking about the past and hurting students

Making fun which affects emotions

Beating / scolding Children

Speaking about student family

Teasing

Making Petty things in to a bigger one

Discussing student personal issues with other co teachers

Common Issues at home Discouraging parents Unwanted tuitions Comparison Lack of communication Family breakup Parents behavior Single Child- loneliness Anger about elder/younger brother/sister Sexual harassments by father / brother

Discouraging parents

Unwanted tuitions

Comparison

Lack of communication

Family breakup

Parents behavior

Single Child- loneliness

Anger about elder/younger brother/sister

Sexual harassments by father / brother

These are just few out of a hell – many of these issues may not be felt that much important to us – but for a child a problem is a problem and when it lacks guidance, even a petty problem looks like a giant for the child and here comes the School psychologist for rescue…

These are just few out of a hell – many of

these issues may not be felt that much important to us –

but for a child a problem is a problem

and when it lacks guidance, even a petty

problem looks like a giant for the child and here comes the School psychologist for rescue…

The Need for a School psychologist School psychologist works to find the best solution for each Child & situation & use different strategies to address child needs & to improve child’s mental health. Works with children individually & in groups. Organize programs to train teachers & parents regarding effective teaching & learning strategies, effective techniques to manage behavior at home and in the classroom, working with students with disabilities or with special talents, abuse of drugs and other substances, and preventing and managing crises School psychologist understands that all children learn when given adequate supports & resources, recognition of their individual needs, trusting them, acceptance & encouragement. School psychologist link mental health to learning & behavior to promote High academic achievement, Positive social skills & behavior, Healthy relationships & connectedness, Tolerance & respect for others, Competence, self-esteem, resiliency & all together a peaceful holistic life.

School psychologist works to find the best solution for each Child & situation & use different strategies to address child needs & to improve child’s mental health. Works with children individually & in groups. Organize programs to train teachers & parents regarding effective teaching & learning strategies, effective techniques to manage behavior at home and in the classroom, working with students with disabilities or with special talents, abuse of drugs and other substances, and preventing and managing crises

School psychologist understands that all children learn when given adequate supports & resources, recognition of their individual needs, trusting them, acceptance & encouragement.

School psychologist link mental health to learning & behavior to promote High academic achievement, Positive social skills & behavior, Healthy relationships & connectedness, Tolerance & respect for others, Competence, self-esteem, resiliency & all together a peaceful holistic life.

School psychologist Works with children, parents and staff to help determine and improve a child’s: Academic skills Learning aptitudes and styles Social skills and behavior issues Personality and emotional development Identify potential learning difficulties early Foster tolerance and appreciation of diversity Create safe, supportive learning environments Work face-to-face with children and families Provide Social skills training & Behavior management Generate new knowledge of learning and behavior Deliver school-linked mental health services Intervention of Clinical Psychology, wherever needed The main objective of School psychologist is making the child’s life better. He/ she teaches social learning skills & develops the personality with an ultimate aim to enhance the educational & psycho-social development of children.

Academic skills Learning aptitudes and styles Social skills and behavior issues Personality and emotional development Identify potential learning difficulties early Foster tolerance and appreciation of diversity Create safe, supportive learning environments Work face-to-face with children and families Provide Social skills training & Behavior management

Generate new knowledge of learning and behavior Deliver school-linked mental health services Intervention of Clinical Psychology, wherever needed

The main objective of School psychologist is making the child’s life better. He/ she teaches social learning skills & develops the personality with an ultimate aim to enhance the educational & psycho-social development of children.

In the process of achieving this Main Objective, this School psychologist will achieve some ancillary objectives like…. Improving Academics – Improving Memory, Concentration, Intelligence, Observation, Learning Abilities, etc., Improving Social Relationships – Making the child understand parental relationships, peer relationships, behavior patterns etc., Understanding the real vision of life - Making the child plan life by learning what, when and where to do? Mechanism, sex, love, etc.,

Improving Academic Performance of the child Memory level Concentration Learning Ability Organization skills Time management Aptitude, Attitude, Interest etc.,

Memory level

Concentration

Learning Ability

Organization skills

Time management

Aptitude, Attitude, Interest etc.,

Example – Improving Academics The academic excellence of every child is depended on how well they observe, concentrate, memorize, organize, and understand. External factors like TV, Internet, Fighting Parents, peers, school environment, unhealthy neighbors etc affect the Child. The child's behavior tends to change due to these external factors, the child looses concentration, her interest moves to areas which give her instant happiness and pleasure, and in turn academics fail. Improving academics of the Child can be done by making the child practice learning techniques like MURDR Technique Mind Mapping Acronym Hints Making etc.,

The academic excellence of every child is depended on how well they observe, concentrate, memorize, organize, and understand. External factors like TV, Internet, Fighting Parents, peers, school environment, unhealthy neighbors etc affect the Child. The child's behavior tends to change due to these external factors, the child looses concentration, her interest moves to areas which give her instant happiness and pleasure, and in turn academics fail. Improving academics of the Child can be done by making the child practice learning techniques like

MURDR Technique

Mind Mapping

Acronym

Hints Making etc.,

Developing Social Relationship Understandings Behavioral Problems Bullying & Cheating Conduct Disorder Aggressive Behavior Shy, Rejected or Neglected Children without Friends Children Who Won't Go to School Disobedience or Self-Injury Bedwetting, Sleeping & Eating Problems Socialization Parental & Peer Relationship understanding Emotional & Communication Problem

Behavioral Problems

Bullying & Cheating

Conduct Disorder

Aggressive Behavior

Shy, Rejected or Neglected

Children without Friends

Children Who Won't Go to School

Disobedience or Self-Injury

Bedwetting, Sleeping & Eating Problems

Socialization

Parental & Peer Relationship understanding

Emotional & Communication Problem

Example – Modifying Behavior Pattern Most of the children in the age group of 10- 16 show lot of abnormal Behaviors such as violent behavior, aggressive, moody, irresponsibility, delinquent behaviors (such as truancy or running away), uncooperative, negativistic, irritable, and annoying behaviors toward parents, peers, teachers, and other authority figures, violating the rights of others (such as theft), and/or physical aggression toward others etc., These behaviors Can be modified with the help of Behavior therapy Hypnotherapy Child Centered Counselling Cognitive Therapy etc.,

Most of the children in the age group of 10- 16 show lot of abnormal Behaviors such as violent behavior, aggressive, moody, irresponsibility, delinquent behaviors (such as truancy or running away), uncooperative, negativistic, irritable, and annoying behaviors toward parents, peers, teachers, and other authority figures, violating the rights of others (such as theft), and/or physical aggression toward others etc., These behaviors Can be modified with the help of

Behavior therapy

Hypnotherapy

Child Centered Counselling

Cognitive Therapy etc.,

Creating a Vision towards Future Life Personality Scheduling Life Character Education Sex, love & romance Planning tasks ahead & Decision Making What, when and where to do? Mechanism

Personality

Scheduling Life

Character Education

Sex, love & romance

Planning tasks ahead & Decision Making

What, when and where to do? Mechanism

Example – Love Problems Children with excellent grade and personality more often tumble in deciding their education, life style and selecting peers. Knowingly or unknowingly they get attracted towards sex and love, they tend to experiment these at the earliest and that leads to emotional problems, unwanted depression and mood swings. Finally they get diverted towards these temporary happiness and they loose their academics and personality. We have seen masturbation, oral sex problems, petting problems being common in schools. Theaters and parks have become undisturbed shelters for this crime. These Love and Sexual Problems are treated individually using Child Centered Counselling Psychotherapy

Children with excellent grade and personality more often tumble in deciding their education, life style and selecting peers. Knowingly or unknowingly they get attracted towards sex and love, they tend to experiment these at the earliest and that leads to emotional problems, unwanted depression and mood swings. Finally they get diverted towards these temporary happiness and they loose their academics and personality. We have seen masturbation, oral sex problems, petting problems being common in schools. Theaters and parks have become undisturbed shelters for this crime. These Love and Sexual Problems are treated individually using

Child Centered Counselling

Psychotherapy

Tools Used in Psychological Education Psychological Education adopts various techniques from Psychological therapies in order to modify the approach of the Child and bring back to the real way of thinking and living. The tools used while working with the children are Classroom Activities Guidance Classes with PPT Stories, Jokes & IQ tests Past & Current world affairs Problem related Counselling Alpha Stage Hypnotism Hypnotic Techniques Psychotherapy Mental Exercises Mind Mastering Techniques Psychometric tests Innovative Developmental Techniques Autobiography & Biographies of great Leaders etc.,

Psychological Education adopts various techniques from

Psychological therapies in order to modify the approach of the

Child and bring back to the real way of thinking and living. The

tools used while working with the children are

Classroom Activities

Guidance Classes with PPT

Stories, Jokes & IQ tests

Past & Current world affairs

Problem related Counselling

Alpha Stage Hypnotism

Hypnotic Techniques

Psychotherapy

Mental Exercises

Mind Mastering Techniques

Psychometric tests

Innovative Developmental Techniques

Autobiography & Biographies of great Leaders etc.,

Case Study - I A 9 th standard boy has been severely disturbed/ irritated by his maid. His parents are living in Abu Dhabi and he is living with his grandma and this maid. He was reporting this disturbance as a reason for his failure in studies. This case came through his teacher and a personal counseling session with him revealed that he was caught by her while masturbating and from then the fear and guilty conscious in him creeps out as anger whenever he sees her. After two or three sittings of Child Centered Counselling and by applying cognitive therapy his guilty conscious and fear has been almost gone from him and he is now able to live free without any Mental Health Issues.

A 9 th standard boy has been severely disturbed/ irritated by his maid. His parents are living in Abu Dhabi and he is living with his grandma and this maid. He was reporting this disturbance as a reason for his failure in studies. This case came through his teacher and a personal counseling session with him revealed that he was caught by her while masturbating and from then the fear and guilty conscious in him creeps out as anger whenever he sees her.

After two or three sittings of Child Centered Counselling and by applying cognitive therapy his guilty conscious and fear has been almost gone from him and he is now able to live free without any Mental Health Issues.

Case Study - II Slow learners are so called dead heads. A group of 8 dead heads were given to me by the school as a test and challenge to my psychological education. Most of them have got failed in at least six subjects. A session with them revealed that most of them learn but the way they learn is not appropriate. Individual study plans and techniques were formed and I made them practice those techniques. Constant care , attention and encouragement were provided. In the third mid term test 3 of them cleared in all and others passed in maximum subjects.

Slow learners are so called dead heads. A group of 8 dead heads were given to me by the school as a test and challenge to my psychological education. Most of them have got failed in at least six subjects.

A session with them revealed that most of them learn but the way they learn is not appropriate. Individual study plans and techniques were formed and I made them practice those techniques. Constant care , attention and encouragement were provided. In the third mid term test 3 of them cleared in all and others passed in maximum subjects.

Modus operandi of School Psychology in India In India, the school psychologist works in three ways Guidance Classes / Group Counseling Individual Counselling Sessions Awareness program for Parents & teachers

In India, the school psychologist works in three ways

Guidance Classes / Group Counseling

Individual Counselling Sessions

Awareness program for Parents & teachers

School psychologist will be visiting the school weekly once or twice, as the job does not demand full time psychologists A school day will be braked in to two halves – First half for guidance classes and second half for individual counseling.

School psychologist will be visiting the school weekly once or twice, as the job does not demand full time psychologists

A school day will be braked in to two halves – First half for guidance classes and second half for individual counseling.

Group Counseling or Guidance Class Each class will be invited to attend a power point presentation on any selected topic. The topic will be thoroughly discussed and the interaction of the class will be given importance. The class may sound like an entertainment class but at the end, each one will be taking some points to change & develop within themselves.

Each class will be invited to attend a power point

presentation on any selected topic.

The topic will be thoroughly discussed and the

interaction of the class will be given importance.

The class may sound like an entertainment class

but at the end, each one will be taking some

points to change & develop within themselves.

Guidance class topics The topics of guidance classes will be decided based on their age. The topics are like First Aid Positive Attitude Inferiority Complex Improving Memory Anger Management Exam Management Learning Techniques Personality Development Understanding Adolescence Peer & relationship management Self Image & Self Development Managing Life situations etc.,

The topics of guidance classes will be decided based on their age. The topics are like

First Aid

Positive Attitude

Inferiority Complex

Improving Memory

Anger Management

Exam Management

Learning Techniques

Personality Development

Understanding Adolescence

Peer & relationship management

Self Image & Self Development

Managing Life situations etc.,

Individual Counseling During group classes, students will encouraged to come for individual counseling. The children issues will be counseled one by one with ‘on their shoes approach”. If needed will be asked to visit again for a review.

During group classes, students will

encouraged to come for individual counseling.

The children issues will be counseled one by

one with ‘on their shoes approach”.

If needed will be asked to visit again for a review.

Individual Counseling Issues Excessive conflict Poor Communication skill Attention Deficit Disorder Anger Possessiveness Peer issues Relationship mgt Teacher issues Parent misbehavior Love & Infatuation issues Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 School Avoidance Fearfulness Social Withdrawal Low degree Depression Low self Esteem Anxiety Frustration Lack of self Confidence Poor academic Performance Cries easily Bedwetting Nail Biting Gets angry Hyper Active Drug Alcohol smoking Acute Depression Suicidal Tendency Dyslexia /LD Physical abuse Sex affairs

Excessive conflict

Poor Communication skill

Attention Deficit Disorder

Anger

Possessiveness

Peer issues

Relationship mgt

Teacher issues

Parent misbehavior

Love & Infatuation issues

School Avoidance

Fearfulness

Social Withdrawal

Low degree Depression

Low self Esteem

Anxiety

Frustration

Lack of self Confidence

Poor academic Performance

Cries easily

Bedwetting

Nail Biting

Gets angry

Hyper Active

Drug Alcohol smoking

Acute Depression

Suicidal Tendency

Dyslexia /LD

Physical abuse

Sex affairs

Awareness Programs Awareness programs for teachers and parents will be conducted individually once in three months time. Both he target group will be educated about do’s and don'ts, with additional information about improving their relationship with the children. Teachers will be mentored when there is a need for development on their part

Awareness programs for teachers and

parents will be conducted individually once

in three months time. Both he target group

will be educated about do’s and don'ts, with

additional information about improving their

relationship with the children.

Teachers will be mentored when there is a

need for development on their part

Proven Results & Outcomes With the help of school psychologist, each and every child is feeling better In exhibiting academic excellence In being social & understanding relationships In making life comfortable & worthy In scheduling future life tasks In using the information and knowledge they have observed and observing from the real world In knowing what to do? When, where and how to do? In leading life with positive thoughts In deciding about love. Friendship, sex and romance With improved memory, concentration, interest, and learning abilities As holistic child with talent to manage & utilize its own resources in the way it should be…

With the help of school psychologist, each and every child is

feeling better

In exhibiting academic excellence

In being social & understanding relationships

In making life comfortable & worthy

In scheduling future life tasks

In using the information and knowledge they have observed and observing from the real world

In knowing what to do? When, where and how to do?

In leading life with positive thoughts

In deciding about love. Friendship, sex and romance

With improved memory, concentration, interest, and learning abilities

As holistic child with talent to manage & utilize its own resources in the way it should be…

QUESTIONS? do email me at [email_address] thanks for your patience humbly imtiyaaz. B www.drimtiyaaz.com