|
|
|
|
The function of the imagination is not to make strange things settled, so much as to make settled things strange. ~G.K. Chesterton
Bureaucrats call it "emancipation," but for foster kids there’s no worse birthday by D. HEIMPEL Published in the LA WEEKLY January 10, 2008 Victoria Stevens, a Los Angeles psychologist who has studied the effects of the foster-care system on younger children, explains that if a child is in a stable environment, his or her brain development is affected accordingly. In a stable setting, connections between the neurons in the brain grow at a healthy pace, allowing for higher-level mental processes — like learning abstract mathematical or scientific concepts. "In cases of disrupted and insecure attachment, the lower brain processes become dominant and higher-order cognitive skills and social skills can become impaired," Stevens says. Many foster-care kids have trouble reading, and struggle with other basic skills, because their "attention span is hijacked by emotions."
Published in the LA WEEKLY Victoria Stevens, a Los Angeles psychologist who has worked extensively with foster youth, agrees in principal, saying, the "race of parents, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education of the parents, single parents, et cetera, is of little or no consequence." The key is "the capacity of the caregiver to pay attention to the separate existence of the child and respond contingently with care, delight, love, respect, play, predictability and consistency." |
Children Uniting Nations Academic Mentorships Program Trauma, Attachment & Brain Development Los Angeles Unified School District: South Region High School #12 - Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Foshay Middle School, LAUSD, Los Angeles Professional development for teachers and psychological services staff: Academic Mentors for Foster Youth and the Effects of Trauma on Learning and Academic Achievement
Saturday, September 29th, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., CUN Wilshire Office RSVP to Sandra Hill-Williams at (323) 994-0500 or via email CUN Mentors who complete this required training will recieve a certificate of completion by Victoria Stevens, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist and Certified Trainer.
Forum on Music, Creativity & the Brain 4 p.m., Grace Episcopal Church, Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard VIDEO: Martha's Vineyard Television, filmed and edited by Andrue C. Carr
ABOVE: The World Premiere of "Three Rivers" by Bryan Pezzone, with Bryan Pezzone, piano, Doug Masek, saxophone and Victoria Stevens, spoken word and vocals - performing a concert for the Martha's Vineyard Chamber Music Society: Summer Chamber Music Series, August 13 & 14.
Foshay Middle School, LAUSD, Professional Development Part of the Stevens Creativity, Imagination and Leadership Training Academic Mentor Program for Foster and At-Risk Youth for Children Uniting Nations
Hosted by Productive Learning & Leisure, 34700 Pacific Coast Hwy. #202, Capistrano Beach, CA Picture yourself walking out of a presentation with techniques that will empower and enliven not only your life, also those we touch everyday! Imagine the benefits to our self-image, our intimate relationships, our work and our community. Think of the power we will harness once we understand these abilities. Dr. Victoria Stevens, an expert on the mind's creativity, Founder and Director of the Stevens Creativity, Imagination and Leadership Training, a clinical psychologist and a long-time trainer and trusted friend of Productive Learning & Leisure is presenting THE BEST highlights of her research on creative thinking. She will discuss those foundational truths regarding the brain-body interactions, obstacles that block our creative thinking, and lastly the fun and candid abilities of our imaginations and capacity to empathize with others.
Please RSVP: call (949) 547-0957 or email 99th Street Elementary, LAUSD, Professional Development Part of the Stevens Creativity, Imagination and Leadership Training Academic Mentor Program for Foster and At-Risk Youth for Children Uniting Nations Tuesday, April 10, 2012 99th Street Elementary, LAUSD, Professional Development Part of the Stevens Creativity, Imagination and Leadership Training Academic Mentor Program for Foster and At-Risk Youth for Children Uniting Nations Barrett Elementary, LAUSD, Professional Development Part of the Stevens Creativity, Imagination and Leadership Training Academic Mentor Program for Foster and At-Risk Youth for Children Uniting Nations
Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School, LAUSD, Professional Development Part of the Stevens Creativity, Imagination and Leadership Training Academic Mentor Program for Foster and At-Risk Youth for Children Uniting Nations
SEADAE Professional Webinar with Dr. Victoria Stevens exploring Creativity, Arts Education and the Creativity Index
Markham Middle School, LAUSD Faculty Professional Development Part of the Stevens Creativity, Imagination and Leadership Training Academic Mentor Program for Foster and At-Risk Youth for Children Uniting Nations Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Gompers Middle School, South Los Angeles
Foshay Middle School, LAUSD, Los Angeles |
VIDEO - April 2010: Region V Visual & Performing Arts CCESSA Sponsored Forum with Dr. Victoria Stevens: How Arts Education Can Support Student Achievement in Our Region. Host: Media Center for Art, Education and Technology Location: Museum of Art & History at the McPherson Center, Santa Cruz, CA  READ ALL ABOUT IT! – Victoria Stevens, Ph.D., licensed clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst and educator, instructs teachers of King City Arts Charter School on the importance of incorporating arts into everyday classroom lessons.
Art on the Brain The following are links to QuickTime videos. Click here to download for free, the latest version of QuickTime Player. Art on the Brain Part 1 of 2 (13:53) Art on the Brain Part 2 of 2 (14:50) In March of 2008, Dr. Stevens presented a talk for arts organizations, teachers, parents, and business leaders about the importance of arts education for all children sponsored by the Forest Theatre Guild, Carmel-By-The-Sea in Carmel, CA. This was a prelude to her talk the next day for the Region 5 Arts Education Forum sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education entitled: "Open the Doors to Arts Education". The topic of her Keynote Address was "Creativity, Empathy, Imagination and Metacognition: What Affective Neurobiology Tells Us about the Importance of Arts Education for All Children." |
©2008-12 Victoria Stevens • All rights reserved