Tooled Up Member Webinars
The home of evidence-based resources on all aspects of parenting, education and family life
Schools that are part of our Tooled Up Education community can provide their parents and teachers with access to Dr Weston’s exclusive resources, covering areas such as aspiration, resilience, mental health and behaviour.
As a member of the Tooled Up community you will have access to a whole host of evidence-based resources, which will enable you to support your children or students in a way that makes their lives and educational journeys both easier and more enjoyable.
Dr Weston's Wednesday Wisdom
In an ever increasingly busy and demanding world, Wednesday Wisdom provides a reflective 2 minute read every week that readers constantly tell us they look forward to. Full of topical and relatable experiences that help provide reflection, motivation and support in achieving a balanced family life.
Over the years, thousands of people have benefitted from and continue to enjoy the parenting and educational talks from Dr Kathy Weston at Tooled up Education and have subscribed to Wednesday Wisdom. Join them now for free and receive your own weekly digest of inspiring, engaging and mindful parenting directly from Dr Weston herself.
“I just wanted to say how grateful I am to read your Wednesday Wisdom email. Perfect size for the time I have to engage and reflect and think about the topics you touch on. It helps me to evaluate my parenting and take a step back to look at scenarios that play out.”
Parent – October 2020
Research in Action
We send our children to school, trust in teachers to deliver high quality teaching, and hope that they will do well, but do we ever think about the science behind learning?
Parenting Question of the Week
Our children’s first ever nanny stayed with us for almost four years before leaving us after the birth of her second child. Since then, we have employed four nannies, each one staying with us for short periods. We have now moved country and I am worried about introducing yet another person to the kids. What is the best way to handle this?
Our Promise: We will answer all questions, and, whilst we may share your question and answer to help others, we will never declare who asked it.
Researcher of the Month
Dr Ola Demkowicz, Lecturer in Psychology of Education, University of Manchester
University
The University of Manchester
Research Interests
Dr Demkowicz focuses on adolescent mental health, particularly risk and resilience processes.
From early adolescence, girls and women report higher rates of emotional symptoms, such as low mood, anxiety and depression, when compared to boys and men. Research also indicates a significant increase in the reporting of emotional symptoms and disorders among teen girls in recent years, both in the UK and in other Western and non-Western countries. The study that we’ve selected to highlight this month is led by Dr Ola Demkowicz and investigates risk factors and cumulative risk exposure in relation to emotional symptoms in 8327 girls, aged 11-12, across 100 English educational settings. It highlights the need for identification and targeted mental health intervention for those at greater risk or with emergent symptoms.
We know that girls and women are twice as likely to report depressive symptoms and disorders from mid-adolescence compared to boys and men, and that they are also more likely to experience anxiety. Despite the trend of apparently worsening mental health for teen girls, few previous studies have investigated risk factors for emotional symptoms in early adolescence, and even fewer focus specifically on girls, despite their apparent vulnerability. Dr Demkowicz and her co-authors assessed eight candidate risk factors, which each had some theoretical or empirical association with emotional symptoms.
They found four broad categories of experience to have a statistically significant relationship with emotional symptoms; low academic attainment, having special educational needs, a low family income and having caregiving responsibilities, beyond those normally expected of teenagers. Cumulatively, more risk factors might lead to overwhelming stress levels which could impact on mental health outcomes.
Implications for parents – It’s important to remember that young people’s daily experiences can differ greatly and the presence of risk factors will not necessarily translate into difficulties, though it does mean that they are more likely. There are some protective factors (positive personal relationships, a sense of school belonging, high self-esteem and good quality sleep) that may help to mitigate stressors and lessen the impact of particular adversities or circumstances. Conversations with young people about effective coping mechanisms, encouraging them to consider what things make them feel good and reflecting together on what aspects of their lives might benefit from improvement, is important.
Implications for schools – Schools should aim to understand some of the potential vulnerabilities for emotional symptoms and have an awareness of what is happening in young people’s lives. Cultivating positive, trusting relationships between students and staff, where students feel able to open up about their home life, is extremely beneficial. The Wellbeing Measurement Framework can also help schools to identify emergent symptoms. Further information on using the Wellbeing Measurement Framework in schools can be found in this blog. Any interventions should be sensitive to individual circumstances.
Tooled Up News
Children’s mental health in the post-pandemic world
Holidays are well and truly back, the sun is shining, school closures feel like a distant memory and, despite the high numbers of infections, Covid-19 no longer dominates either the headlines or our everyday conversations. News and discussions about current affairs are now rightly focused on the horrifying and urgent situation in Ukraine. However, as we embark on this post-pandemic period, researchers are becoming increasingly aware of the long-term impact that the pandemic has had on the mental health of our children.
Ten Evidence-Based Tips for Parents on #SaferInternetDay
Over the past few years, I have interviewed some of the most eminent researchers, criminologists and experts on digital risks and vulnerabilities and asked them what parents need to do to keep their children safe online. Here are 10 tips that I have derived from this work, which schools should emphasise in
Stress and late nights in the run-up to #examseason can lead to changes in #children's eating patterns. We've teamed up with a paediatric #dietitian to find out how we can help ensure that they have enough energy, stay hydrated and keep stress levels down.
https://www.tooledupeducation.com/resource/nutrition-and-exams/
@MillHillBelmont @MillHillSenior Here to help!
@BWPSchool please tell us more!
To sign up for this or any other upcoming webinars, please visit our webinar registration page:
https://www.tooledupeducation.com/tooled-up-member-talks-2022/
Once again, we've a number of brilliant webinars coming up. Next up: Being a ‘Tooled Up Dad’: A Conversation between Paul Pomroy (CEO McDonalds) and Dr Kathy Weston on #Fatherhood.
Do join us for a light-hearted discussion between
@Parentengage
and one of the UK’s top CEOs.
📢 We are looking for schools and colleges to help us connect with young women in England aged 16-18 for a mental health research project. If your setting might be able to help us, let us know: https://www.qualtrics.manchester.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_d5V5wB5L6Oc6J4G or if you have questions email insightproject@manchester.ac.uk
It was very stormy last night in the UK. Written by a meteorologist, this resource will come in handy for parents or teachers today:
Worried about eating disorders and want to learn more? Watch back our webinars with clinicians, use our resources on emotional literacy and tune into our podcasts with psychiatrists and those with lived experience.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-61480898
This week's Wednesday Wisdom "Research in Action" is out now! Read the full issue by visiting our website: https://www.tooledupeducation.com/wisdom/research-in-action/
WOW! we have just seen the slides (in advance) for our webinar tonight with developmental psychologist, Dr Sarah Foley and they are fascinating! Do come along if this is a topic that interests you. See you online at 730pm. Registration open via: http://www.tooledupeducation.com
@TheOngarAcademy watch our for exam nutrition tips coming on Monday morning into the Tooled Up library!
In this recent webinar, Professor @Kathy_Rastle unpicked why a sound knowledge of phonics is utterly crucial in enabling children to become skilled readers. Watch the recording in our Tooled Up library now:
https://www.tooledupeducation.com/resource/separating-fact-from-fiction-in-early-reading-with-professor-kathy-rastle/
Watch and learn. No problem.
Never seen a coat put on like this in my 33 years. Fair play to the Nursery 👏🏻
📢We're absolutely delighted to announce our brand new researcher of the month: @ola_demk 📢
Read more about her research on our website: https://www.tooledupeducation.com/research/girls-mental-health/
Listening to Professor Clive Dimmock emphasise the importance of schools valuing high-quality CPD for staff, leaning into the research base and using research that has “the inevitability of being implemented”. We support schools to do these exact things @TooledUpTips 💪
Delegates who are attending their first ISA Annual Conference are getting to know other new Members and ISA Trustees over a welcome tea kindly sponsored by @TooledUpTips. #ISA2022AC
A significant body of research shows that engaging and connecting with nature has a positive impact on children’s mental health and wellbeing, so here’s a list of 75 things to try: https://www.tooledupeducation.com/resource/75-things-to-do-outside/
@MTSPrep @NLCS1850 @NotreDameCobham @StAnthonysGirls @StChrisNW3 @willingtonprep @YarmSchool
This week's Wednesday Wisdom is out now - Craving Connection. Read the full issue on our website:
https://www.tooledupeducation.com/wisdom/craving-connection/
A significant body of research shows that engaging and connecting with nature has a positive impact on children’s mental health and wellbeing, so here’s a list of 75 things to try: https://www.tooledupeducation.com/resource/75-things-to-do-outside/
We want to encourage children to celebrate all the fantastic families that they see and feel a sense of pride in their own circle of loved ones. Use this activity to encourage children to think about all the fabulous: https://www.tooledupeducation.com/resource/fantastic-families/
After the exams, will come the parties.. and we need all the guidance we can get from those 'in the know' about what can happen at them, how things can go horribly wrong and how to mitigate risk. Free registration and booking now open for Tooled Up parents.
We have added a NEW, exciting and helpful feature on our site. Who can spot it first and win a Tooled Up water bottle?
@CaldicottSchool Exciting, important stuff!
Can't wait to bring this innovative webinar with @naceuk to our Tooled Up Schools. Booking now open via: http://www.tooledupeducation.com
We're looking forward to presenting this webinar for @TooledUpTips members later this term - exploring the "perils of perfectionism" and how families and schools can respond. To learn more about our work in this area: http://www.nace.co.uk/perfectionism https://twitter.com/TooledUpTips/status/1522486333104541697
Watch the below webinars, and then sign-up via the link in the newsletter tomorrow to take part in a live Q&A session with Dr Kathy Weston herself! It will take place on Monday 9 May at 1900. @TooledUpTips
https://bit.ly/Importance_of_talking_about_sex_and_relationsips
https://bit.ly/How_porn_is_affecting_children_and_teens
Upcoming webinar 📢📢📢 Make sure to register your place for our upcoming webinar with Rob Lightfoot, CEO of @naceuk: The perils of perfectionism: how can schools and families respond? For more information and to sign up, please visit our website: https://www.tooledupeducation.com/tooled-up-member-talks-2022/
"At the moment, plenty of #parents are in the middle of ‘revision season’, or ‘nag season’..." - This week's Wednesday Wisdom is out now📢📢📢 Read the entire issue here: https://www.tooledupeducation.com/wisdom/revise-sleep-repeat/
@FaithOrchard one of the best lectures I have listened to for some time. Clear, practical and underpinned by evidence - whilst recognising where the gaps in knowledge are and where individual decisions are reasonable. As a mother to young people - great advice!! https://twitter.com/TooledUpTips/status/1519603779842330624
What a fantastic webinar last night with @FaithOrchard a terrific psychologist and sleep expert on adolescent sleep. We came away understanding the evidence and with lots of ideas to implement at home with our teens. Watch out for the recording coming soon to our library.
Testimonials
Join our community of "Tooled Up" Schools
Dr Weston Featured in
Have a Question?
If you are interested in learning more about Tooled Up Education, have a technical question, press enquiry or any other query, please follow the link below or get in touch with Dr Weston’s team on email: office@tooledupeducation.com