Resilience Archives - Dr. Caren Baruch Feldman

16 05, 2017

MAY BLOG: Persee the Perseverant Puppy

By Caren Baruch-Feldman|2017-05-16T20:16:03-04:00May 16, 2017|Children/Adolescents, Grit, Resilience|

It is the second day of the state math test at Harrison Avenue Elementary School in Westchester County, New York. Persee, the perseverant puppy mascot, sits on top of the smart board in a third grade classroom, a reminder to students of the instruction they have been given throughout the school year that “perseverance pays off!” When faced with a challenging question, Persee reminds these third graders to exhibit an optimistic mindset, use flexible strategies in the face of obstacles, and to treat themselves with kindness and compassion. What is happening at Harrison Avenue, the elementary school where I work [...]

31 07, 2016

July Blog: Facing Your Fears and Learning Along the Way

By Caren Baruch-Feldman|2021-01-28T04:47:13-05:00July 31, 2016|Grit, Resilience, Wellness & Weight Loss|

“It was great…, it was hard!” Katie Ledecky, age 6 I fell off the bike. It happened. My greatest fear had occurred. However, instead of being the disaster I had created in my head, it was freeing. But wait, let’s travel back a little earlier in the day for some context. I had decided for my last day of my spa vacation, that instead of getting another massage, I would challenge myself with some mountain biking (yes, I know some of you are thinking – she is crazy). I signed up for the beginner class, feeling both confident and apprehensive: [...]

22 05, 2016

BLOG (May): MY COMMENCEMENT SPEECH

By Caren Baruch-Feldman|2016-05-22T13:40:05-04:00May 22, 2016|Children/Adolescents, Grit, Resilience|

"So...be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea, you're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So...get on your way!” Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go! This year is very special for my family- both my son and my daughter are graduating: my son from high school and my daughter from middle school (the school she has attended since nursery school). It is true what everyone says, “They grow up so fast.” But, what does not have to be true is focusing on the more immediate, but less [...]

13 05, 2016

VIDEO Available: Got Grit? Got Growth? Got Greatness! Increasing Perseverance, Self-Control, and a Growth Mindset in Ourselves and Our Children

By Caren Baruch-Feldman|2016-05-13T07:24:46-04:00May 13, 2016|Grit, Resilience|

Great News! If you missed my "Got Grit? Got Growth? Got Greatness! Increasing Perseverance, Self-Control, and a Growth Mindset in Ourselves and Our Children" workshop that I gave at the Scarsdale library in March 2016, it is now available online on SPTV. In this workshop, participants will learn the latest research, as well as strategies, that promote grit, self-control, and mindset change. To view the video go to and hit the picture. https://www.scarsdalepublictv.com/video/increasing-perseverance-self-control-and-a-growth-mindset-in-ourselves-and-our-children/

11 02, 2016

February Blog: Fill A Bucket for Your Valentine

By Caren Baruch-Feldman|2016-02-11T22:37:47-05:00February 11, 2016|Children/Adolescents, Resilience|

This month I had the opportunity to participate in one of my favorite activities as a school psychologist: working with my fifth grade student leaders to turn-key important school wide messages to our younger students. Specifically, fifth grade students partnered with me to teach “ways to achieve happiness” to fourth grade students. The three elements we focused on were 1) bucket filling, 2) developing a positive and growth mindset, and 3) engaging in activities that make us happy. 1. Bucket Filling – First, we discussed bucket filling, a concept originated by Carol McCloud. We discussed the importance of being a [...]

17 01, 2016

BLOG (January) May the Force of “Social Support” Be with You

By Caren Baruch-Feldman|2016-01-17T10:40:25-05:00January 17, 2016|Anxiety, Children/Adolescents, Parenting, Resilience, Wellness & Weight Loss|

I recently saw the movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. If you are in the 1 percent of people who haven’t seen the movie, I highly recommend you see it, and DON’T READ FURTHER because serious spoilers will be revealed in this blog. However, for those of you who have seen it, I was wondering if you gave any thought to R2D2’s miraculous awakening? R2D2 is seen in a coma-like state midway throughout the movie, presumably because he misses his master, Luke Skywalker. So the question is, why did R2D2 wake up and, more importantly, how was he able to [...]