The Whole Brain Child
 
Please join me for a new parent discussion group based on the parenting book ‘The Whole Brain Child’ by Dr Dan Siegel and Dr Tina Payne Bryson.
This 3 session parenting group centers around twelve revolutionary "Whole-Brain Child" strategies that foster healthy brain development and help lead to calmer, happier children.  In this supportive, hands-on environment, we'll dive into the supporting scientific research and discuss practical ways of implementing these key strategies and applying them to everyday parenting.  
It will be a demanding but hopefully beneficial 3 sessions over 5 weeks. This group is open to EC and ES parents however will be limited to 8-10 parents due to the intensive nature of the content.
If you would like us to order a copy of the book for you that you can then purchase from us, please email me at fstewart@aisb.ro by Friday 10th March. Otherwise, the book is widely available online.
Group dates/times –  Monday 24th April, 8:15am – 9:45am
                                       Monday 8th May, 8:15am – 9:45am
                                       Monday 15th May, 8:15am – 9:45am
The group will meet in Room 43.
Come ready to learn, laugh and connect! I’m looking forward to learning and working with you.
Please note that we will run this group instead of STEP this year. We will run another STEP program near the beginning of the next school year.
Franny Stewart
fstewart@aisb.ro

In order to support the Child Protection Policy at AISB, all EC3 through Grade 5 students will receive Child Protection lessons by the end of November.  

The purpose of the Child Protection Curriculum is to establish a safe environment in which children feel safe to report incidences of abuse, to empower students to feel confident in knowing and protecting their own rights, and to take away the secrecy that often surrounds abuse so that support can be provided.  These lessons in no way are meant to scare or alarm students.  The lessons tie closely to the social-emotional skills the children are already learning in the classrooms.

 More information about the Child Protection Curriculum for your child’s specific grade level can be found on your child's Grade Level Weebly.

Parent support with this important curriculum is needed.  Your children may want to discuss with you questions or thoughts they have regarding the lessons.  Below you will find articles that provide helpful tips on how to support and talk with your children about Child Protection matters.  As always, if you need further support talking with your children or answering their questions, please contact your child's counselor.

Please click on the links to obtain the articles:
Article #1: Preventing Sexual Abuse
Article #2: Talking to Children and Teens
Article #3: Spanking, What’s All The Fuss?
Article #4: Punishment and Discipline

 Elementary and Early Childhood parents have the opportunity to  participate in the Free 7-session STEP Parenting Program starting in  October.  The STEP (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting)  Program is designed to help parents improve upon their parenting skills,  understand children’s behavior, and build self-esteem, communication  and healthy family relationships.   You will have the chance to share  experiences with other parents dealing with similar parenting struggles and strengths in a supportive and encouraging environment.  Through the use of brief weekly readings, guided discussions and topics of interest you will walk away each week with a more positive outlook on how you parent. 
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If you would like to join the STEP Program you must contact Amanda Quigley or
Franny Stewart by October 3rd.  There will be limited space for attendance.
​ Location of the sessions will be emailed to those who sign up for the program.

email Amanda or Franny at aquigley@aisb.ro or fstewart@aisb.ro

Transitioning to a new country, home and school can be a challenge.  The counselors are here to provide support for you and your children during this emotional time.  Check out these valuable resources:


​Third Culture Kids, Growing Up Among Worlds written by David C. Pollock and Ruth E. Van Reken
available in the AISB library for check out

Click Below for the presentation that was shared at the AISB Transition Support Workshops

Take a look at this handout on helping your child have a healthy transition

To learn more about Third Culture Kids click the button below

​Transition Workshop for New Families  
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The AISB Counselors will be hosting a workshop for all AISB families who have recently moved to Bucharest.  The workshop will include information about how to support your child during a big transition, defining a third culture kid and what to expect from your child during this transition time. There will be time for parent discussions and questions during the workshop. This workshop may also be beneficial for families who arrived to Bucharest last school year and would like more information about supporting a transition. 
Two sessions will be offered for this workshop: 

September 9th | 8:30am in Community Rm. 13 
September 12th | 4:30 pm in Community Rm. 13 

We know that the best way to teach a child emotional intelligence is to model it.  Here are some ways to help you as parents begin to cope and calm your emotions by perceiving them, understanding what you are feeling, using your emotions to guide your learning and managing your emotions in  a healthy way:

- practice mindfulness (meditate, yoga, deep breathing)
- exercise regularly
- eat healthy
- get social support
- write about your emotions
- if needed seek therapy (AISB has a referral list for therapists in Bucharest)
- above all....take deep breathes and attempt to not react in anger towards your child

We are introducing a new conflict resolution program at AISB.  This program is in place to help students learn ways to solve their own social problems.  The hope is that as students solve conflicts they will continue to grow their own social independence.  Students will receive the program lessons during classroom circle times, counseling guidance sessions, assemblies and during small group counseling sessions.  This program will be implemented the entire school year.  

Kelso’s choice wheel for grades 1-3

Kelso the frog teaches students how to solve “small” problems on their own. “Small” problems include conflicts that cause “small” feelings of annoyance, embarrassment, boredom, etc. “BIG problems” always need to be taken to an adult. These are situations that are scary, dangerous, illegal, etc.

When a child comes to you to solve their “small problem,” tell them to try one to two of Kelso’s Choices first. If that doesn’t work, then an adult can intervene. Make sure your kids know to ask an adult for help in the event of a “BIG problem.” 

K.C. Wheel for grades 4 & 5

K.C.’s Wheel is for the preteens (grades 4-5) that may be a little too mature for Kelso’s Choice Wheel. There are “minor problems” that cause minor feelings of annoyance, embarrassment, boredom, etc. There are also “SERIOUS problems” that need to be taken to an adult. These are situations that are scary, dangerous, illegal, etc.

The 9 Choices for solving a social conflict are:
verbal choices:

• Make a Deal
• Tell them to stop
• Apologize
• Talk it out

nonverbal choices:

• Wait and cool off
• Walk away
• Go to another game
• Ignore it
• Share and Take Turns (younger children)

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