The Oklahoma School Safety and Bullying Prevention Act (70 O.S. § 24 – 100.3) defines bullying as: “…any pattern of harassment, intimidation, threatening behavior, physical acts, verbal or electronic communication directed toward a student or group of students that results in or is reasonably perceived as being done with the intent to cause negative educational or…
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If someone you know tells you they’ve been thinking about suicide, don’t forget to take the last step and #BeThe1To follow up with them to see how they are doing. Leave a message, send a text, or give them a call. This type of contact can continue to increase their feelings of contentedness and can…
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In honor of Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, we are talking about inclusiveness. OKPTA Cultivate is about discovering how to not only value our values, but how to live our values. A lot of schools in Oklahoma are using systems like PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) where school values are established, and then kids are…
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Gratitude is a gift to be given to kids, enabling them with the ability to evoke positive emotions in their own lives. Family practice of gratitude not only teaches children a lifelong ability to evoke positive emotions, it also builds deeper bonds within the family unit. Additionally, gratitude is an effective way to increase happiness…
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Positive self-talk can have a big impact on how we think and feel. Over time, engaging in more positive self-talk can help reduce stress, improve self-esteem, increase motivation, inspire productivity, and improve overall mental and physical health. Educators, counselors, and parents can have a huge role in helping kids and young adults develop a greater…
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Feelings are a normal part of the human experience, but often we shame children for certain feelings. Or we send the message that they should be able to “control” their feelings. Some research suggests that this can actually produce anxiety in children, who feel they must be in control of all of their emotions. Instead,…
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If your loved one is thinking about suicide, take the fourth step and #BeThe1To help them connect to resources. Helping someone with thoughts of suicide connect with ongoing supports can help them establish a safety net for those moments they find themselves in a crisis. One way to start helping them find way to connect…
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According to the 2018 Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment, about two-thirds of children reported that they have not talked with their parents about the dangers of alcohol and other drug use and they do not perceive drugs to be risky, making them more likely to being using alcohol and other drugs. Underage drinking is associated with…
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Two out of three Oklahoma youth report that their parents have NOT spoken to them within the last 12 months about alcohol.* When it comes to talking with your children, the key is frequency. It doesn’t have to be an hour long lecture. One important way is to help youth interpret the messages our culture…
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No matter what stage of development a child is at, parents will always have opportunities to help their children build resiliency by protecting them from environmental stressors. Fostering a close, warm relationship is a key principle for parents to help their children combat daily stress and to develop resiliency. Warm relationships help children feel more…
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