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When is comes to your child’s IEP, one of the most important elements is the portion called present level of performance (PLOP), which details how your child is doing academically at the moment. This assessment is sometimes abbreviated as PLP or called present level of academic and functional performance (PLAAFP). PLOP should be conducted each year and include a detailed description of your child’s current abilities and skills, with attention given to their weaknesses and strengths and how these characteristics will impact their education....

What Is Existentialism? Existentialists believe that the nature of existence varies and is individualized to each person. We are defined by our existence, and our existence is made up of our relationship to other people and things in the world. They believe each person must choose and commit to meaning and direction in life. Existentialism Existentialism is a philosophy of human nature that identifies people as having free will to determine the course of their lives....

What Is Kinesthesis? Kinesthesis, also referred to as kinesthesia or kinesthetic sense, is the perception of body movements. It involves being able to detect changes in body position and movements. You are using your kinesthetic sense whenever you are engaged in physical activity such as walking, running, driving, dancing, swimming—anything that requires body movement. When you compress or tense your muscles, they detect and communicate sensory information about movement and posture....

It’s important for new mothers and family members to be on the lookout for signs of postpartum depression. It’s treatable and early intervention can be key to helping mothers feel better as quickly as possible. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a type of depression that occurs after giving birth. It’s more serious than the “baby blues” as it can interfere with a new mother’s ability to function. Symptoms It’s completely normal for new moms to feel tired, moody, or overwhelmed after giving birth....

While it’s natural to want your baby’s crib to feel as cozy as your own bed, blankets, pillows, and furry friends aren’t recommended for infants to sleep with. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests keeping all types of soft bedding—that is, blankets, pillows, bumper pads, and stuffed animals—out of the crib until at least 12 months of age. You should use your baby’s gestational age, not their birth age, as a determinant....

The fear of death and dying is quite common, and most people fear death to varying degrees. To what extent that fear occurs and what it pertains to specifically varies from one person to another. While some fear is healthy because it makes us more cautious, some people may also have an unhealthy fear of dying. Who Fears Death? The fear of death is so common that it has spurred multiple research projects and intrigued everyone from scholars to religious leaders....

Research shows that the Black community experiences similar rates of mental illness as other populations. But individuals in this community may be less likely to seek treatment. This could stem from a combination of issues, such as the stigma surrounding mental illness as well as barriers that include lack of access to healthcare. Fortunately, there are some Black mental health influencers who are working on breaking down barriers to treatment. They’re spreading awareness, hope, and resources that can create positive change....

If you’re looking for some inspirational Black mommy bloggers, we’ve got you covered. Whether you want advice on how to travel with kids (and you’re looking for fun places to explore) or you simply want to read stories from other moms who can relate to what you’re going through, check out these 10 Black mommy bloggers. Mommy Week Ashley, the creator of Mommy Week, combines fun, vibrant pictures with entertaining and educational content....

Are you interested in using TikTok to improve your mental health? While many people think of TikTok as a dancing app used by teenagers, the truth is that people of all ages are using the social media platform to connect with others, cheer themselves up, or learn something new. While TikTok will never be a replacement for therapy, this platform has allowed mental health professionals to reach a much wider audience than they otherwise would, and de-stigmatize the process of therapy and seeking help for mental health in general....

Time management is a big concern for mothers these days. Between kids’ activities, household responsibilities and, for many, the demands of a stressful workplace, many mothers have given up on the fight to find time for themselves and are just trying to get everything done. The following time management tips can be used by busy moms everywhere to take some of the stress out of life, and create more time for fun times with children, quality time with their partner, or even that coveted and nearly forgotten alone time....

A panic attack is a sudden wave of overwhelming anxiety and fear that triggers a host of severe psychosomatic responses. From a clinical perspective, panic attacks typically refer to an experience of intense fear or discomfort where four or more of the following symptoms are felt: Pounding heart or increased heart rate Sweating Trembling/shaking Feeling as though you are being smothered or having difficulty breathing Choking Chest pain/discomfort Nausea or abdominal pains and/or discomfort Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or faint Feeling as though things around you are unreal or feeling detached from yourself Feeling as though you are going to lose control or go crazy Fear of dying Numbness or tingling in extremities Chills or hot flashes Although the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) says that four or more of the above symptoms must be felt, sometimes a person can have a panic attack that is accompanied by three or less of the above symptoms....

It’s estimated that about 1 in 9 new moms suffers from maternal or perinatal depression, most commonly known as postpartum depression (PPD). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), maternal depression can adversely affect breastfeeding, mother-infant bonding, and the quality of parenting. Key Takeaways About 1 in 9 new moms experience maternal depression, which can have an adverse effect on breastfeeding and mother-infant bonding.A first-of-its-kind study examined babies’ brain wave activity and found that babies with depressed mothers who are bottle fed have markedly different patterns of brain wave activity than babies who are breastfed....

Cervical stenosis is an uncommon but potential cause of female infertility. With cervical stenosis, the cervical opening is narrower than it should be and, in severe cases, may be completed closed. This can interfere with sperm getting to the egg and complicate fertility treatments like insemination or in vitro fertilization (IVF). About Your Cervix To understand how cervical stenosis can cause infertility, you need to understand the cervix. Your cervix is the doorway and passage from your vagina up to your uterus....

Cognitive psychologists study the internal mental processes that influence human behavior. This includes understanding how people form, store, and use memories, how people perceive information in the world around them, how information is processed, and how language develops. If these sorts of things sound interesting to you, then you might be interested in a career in the field of cognitive psychology. In order to better understand the sort of things that professionals who work in this field do, let’s begin by learning a bit more about cognitive psychology itself....

Anorexia is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder. The prevalence of anorexia nervosa is estimated to be up to 4% in women and 0.3% in men, with a slightly higher rate among adolescents and young adults. If you are a caregiver for someone with anorexia, it is important to know that you are not alone. Millions of Americans are affected by this disease. Here are some things to keep in mind as you care for someone with anorexia....

When you’re pregnant, it’s normal to be a little nervous about labor and delivery, especially if it’s your first baby. It can be scary, and you might start to think about all the things that can go wrong. A common worry is that the baby will be too big or get stuck. But what are the chances that could really happen? Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) is a medical issue that can arise during childbirth....

ESL is a common abbreviation used in schools and it stands for English as a Second Language. Schools will often use the term ESL (sometimes called ESOL or English for Speakers of Other Languages) when describing the programs that educate students who are not native English speakers and often for describing ESL instructors and students. Students enrolled in ESL classes at the K-12 level are also called ELLs or English Language Learners....

Expecting parents can receive a lot of unsolicited advice. While I was pregnant with my second baby, I found myself on the receiving end of quite a bit. And there’s one suggestion that I wish I would have taken. During one morning commute, on my way to my New York City publishing job, a friend mentioned to me the idea of having a sprinkle. I was familiar with baby showers, but less so with sprinkles; it was explained to me that a sprinkle is a sort of smaller baby shower....

When your thoughts seem to be swimming, you may wonder how to relax your mind. And because learning how to relax your mind can bring benefits for your health and wellbeing, it’s worth taking a few minutes to learn how. Strategies for Relaxing Your Mind’s Stressful Thoughts Here are some simple tips for how to relax your mind. Meditation Meditation helps you learn how to relax your mind in a few different ways....

Many people with fertility issues wonder how to get pregnant with irregular periods. The good news is that it’s definitely possible to conceive. However, it just might take a bit longer or be more difficult for you than it is for someone with regular cycles. According to one study, women whose menstrual cycles varied by less than two days were twice as likely to get pregnant over a given period of time than women whose cycles varied by more than six days....