Growing Forward with the SALTy Psychs

Sheeba Abraham and Laura Tracey
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Education

We're the SALTy Psychs—Sheeba Abraham and Laura Tracey—and yes, SALTy is both our initials but also what we stand for: Support, Advocacy, Learning, and Teamwork. As school psychologists with over 2 decades of experience, we've worked with countless kids, families, and educators navigating everything from learning differences to mental health challenges to the everyday chaos of growing up. But we're also a little salty—and we own it. We keep it real, we don't sugarcoat the hard parts, and we're not afraid to challenge the status quo when kids need something different. Whether we're doing evaluations, running groups, consulting with parents, or hosting our podcast 'Growing Forward with the SALTy Psychs,' our approach is the same: honest, relatable, thoughtful, and always centered on what's best for kids. No jargon, no pretending we have all the answers—just real talk from two professionals who genuinely care and aren't afraid to add a little spice to the conversation.

  1. Jul 20

    Understanding Screen Time and the Developing Brain

    The Salty Psychs discuss the impact of screen time on children's brain development, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face interactions and language development in the early years. They explore the different types of screen time activities and their effects on children's brain development, highlighting the risks of excessive screen time on reasoning, critical thinking, and emotional regulation. The conversation delves into the rapid growth of neural connections in infants and toddlers, emphasizing the significance of physical play, eye contact, and conversation in healthy brain development. The conversation explores the impact of screen time on child development, emphasizing the importance of unstructured play, social interaction, and family engagement. It delves into the effects of screen time on attention span, impulse control, and sleep, highlighting the need for parental guidance and setting boundaries. The conversation concludes with practical tips for managing screen time and fostering family engagement. Takeaways Screen time can impact children's brain development, particularly in the early years, by limiting face-to-face interactions and reducing sensory exploration.Excessive screen time can affect reasoning, critical thinking, and emotional regulation in children, leading to potential long-term consequences.Physical play, eye contact, and conversation are crucial for healthy brain development in infants and toddlers, contributing to language development and social interaction. Unstructured play and social interaction are crucial for child developmentScreen time can impact attention span, impulse control, and sleepParental guidance and setting boundaries are essential for managing screen timeFamily engagement and joint activities can mitigate the effects of excessive screen time Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Growing Forward05:58 Growing Forward Moments18:34 Understanding Brain Development21:32 Impact of Screen Time on Brain Development32:04 Early Brain Development and Language34:58 The Importance of Unstructured Play35:46 Impact of Screen Time on Child Development38:01 Effects on Attention Span and Impulse Control39:07 Screen Time and Sleep Hygiene55:09 Managing Screen Time and Family Engagement

  2. Jun 22

    Let's Talk About Food Allergies

    The podcast episode begins with an introduction to 'Growing Forward with the Salty Psychs' and the hosts' mission. They welcome Lauren Wukovitz, a special guest, and share their growing forward moments. The conversation then delves into the topic of food allergies in kids and adults, exploring the challenges and experiences of managing food allergies in daily life. The conversation delves into the challenges of navigating food allergies, advocating for food allergy safety, and addressing the complexities of school environments. It emphasizes the importance of allergy action plans and the significance of building community and inclusion for children with food allergies. Takeaways Growing forward moments reflect personal growth and resilience.Food allergies impact daily life and require vigilance and support. Navigating food allergies requires vigilance and proactive measures.Advocating for food allergy safety involves educating and empowering children to be their own advocates.Schools play a crucial role in creating a safe and inclusive environment for children with food allergies. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Growing Forward with the Salty Psychs17:24 Food Allergies in Kids and Adults40:52 Navigating Food Allergies50:57 Advocating for Food Allergy Safety01:10:06 The Importance of Allergy Action Plans

  3. Jun 1

    Raising Dependent

    The podcast 'Growing Forward with the Salty Psyches' discusses the importance of teaching kids ownership, responsibility, and independence. It emphasizes the value of independent thinking and decision-making, encouraging parents to empower their children to make choices and solve problems on their own. Takeaways Teaching kids ownership and responsibilityEmpowering children to make choices and solve problems independently Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Growing Forward with the Salty Psyches19:18 Empowering Children to Make Choices

  4. May 11

    The Many Faces of Anxiety

    The podcast episode begins with an introduction to the concept of 'Growing Forward' and the philosophy of embracing imperfection and growth. The hosts then delve into a discussion about anxiety, exploring the characteristics of normal anxiety and differentiating it from problematic anxiety. The conversation further explores various types of anxiety disorders, providing insights into their symptoms and manifestations. The conversation delves into the understanding and addressing of anxiety, highlighting the impact of fear and anxiety on individuals. It also explores the role of parents in modeling behavior and providing support to children dealing with anxiety. Strategies for managing anxiety and the influence of environmental factors are discussed, emphasizing the importance of parental modeling and addressing anxiety in children. Takeaways Growing Forward is about constantly moving forward in life, embracing imperfection, and growing with families and children.Anxiety is a natural response to imminent threats and is characterized by physiological and psychological symptoms. Understanding and addressing anxietyParental modeling of behavior Chapters 00:00 Differentiating Normal and Problematic Anxiety30:52 Understanding Anxiety and Fear37:24 Social Anxiety and Parental Response44:26 Strategies for Managing Anxiety53:01 Modeling Behavior and Environmental Factors

  5. Apr 27

    Why Communication Matters

    The podcast episode features a conversation about personal growth, communication, and effective parenting. The hosts and guest discuss the importance of communication, healthy communication practices, and the challenges of communicating with children at different ages. They also explore the impact of nonverbal communication and the need for emotional regulation in communication. The conversation explores the importance of clear and specific communication with children, the impact of modeling behavior, the significance of genuine apologies, and the value of effective listening in parent-child interactions. Takeaways Personal growth is about progress, not perfectionHealthy communication is essential for building relationships and navigating different life stages Clear and specific communication is crucial for children's understanding.Modeling behavior is essential for children to learn appropriate conduct.Genuine apologies and the ability to admit mistakes are important for building trust and understanding.Effective listening without the need to fix or solve problems is valuable in parent-child interactions. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Growing Forward with the Salty Psychs19:23 Communication: Importance and Foundations26:04 Healthy Communication Practices31:29 Challenges of Communicating with Children42:21 Clear and Specific Communication50:13 Genuine Apologies and Admitting Mistakes01:13:25 Effective Listening in Parent-Child Interactions

  6. Apr 13

    504s vs IEPs, Explained

    Growing Forward with the Salty Psyches is a podcast that delves into topics related to kids, mental health, education, and real-life experiences. In this episode, the hosts discuss personal growth, reflection, and the differences between 504 plans and IEPs, providing valuable insights for parents and educators. Takeaways Growing forward with the Salty Psyches focuses on discussing kids, mental health, education, and real-life experiences.Understanding the differences between 504 plans and IEPs is crucial for parents and educators. Chapters 00:00 Beginning with Basics: 504 Plans and IEPs

  7. Mar 30

    Help in School

    Two school psychologists, Sheeba and Laura, discuss personal growth, academic and behavioral interventions in schools, and the importance of understanding RTI and MTSS. They emphasize the fluid process of intervention and the need for progress monitoring. The conversation provides insights into the support provided to students and the role of parents in the intervention process. Takeaways Personal growth and reflection are essential for educators and parents.Understanding RTI and MTSS is crucial for effective academic intervention.Behavioral intervention in schools requires a structured and teaching-based approach. Chapters 00:00 Growing Forward: Personal Growth and Reflection34:04 Behavioral Intervention in School42:05 Takeaways and Conclusion

  8. Mar 30

    Let's Talk Tutoring

    Sheeba Abraham and Laura Tracey, school psychologists, discuss the importance of tutoring for children who need extra help. They cover the benefits of tutoring, signs that tutoring isn't enough, where tutoring can happen, and realistic expectations of tutoring. The conversation emphasizes the role of tutoring in providing extra practice, reinforcement, and confidence-building for children. Takeaways Tutoring provides extra practice, reinforcement, and confidence-building for children.Signs that tutoring isn't enough include minimal to no progress, concerns from the classroom teacher, and the need for additional support in school. Chapters 00:00 The Benefits of Tutoring for Children17:59 Where Tutoring Can Happen: Resources and Options25:13 Realistic Expectations of Tutoring

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

We're the SALTy Psychs—Sheeba Abraham and Laura Tracey—and yes, SALTy is both our initials but also what we stand for: Support, Advocacy, Learning, and Teamwork. As school psychologists with over 2 decades of experience, we've worked with countless kids, families, and educators navigating everything from learning differences to mental health challenges to the everyday chaos of growing up. But we're also a little salty—and we own it. We keep it real, we don't sugarcoat the hard parts, and we're not afraid to challenge the status quo when kids need something different. Whether we're doing evaluations, running groups, consulting with parents, or hosting our podcast 'Growing Forward with the SALTy Psychs,' our approach is the same: honest, relatable, thoughtful, and always centered on what's best for kids. No jargon, no pretending we have all the answers—just real talk from two professionals who genuinely care and aren't afraid to add a little spice to the conversation.

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