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help familiarize them new learning methods. Some educational psychologists specialize in academic learning, while others focus on how to make a learning environment a welcoming, safe space for children and teachers alike. Education psychologists also monitor programs and learning methods they have developed, adjusting them as needed to ensure that they are as effective as possible. Developmental psychologists study the physical, mental, and emotional development of children and teenagers. They assess children to ensure that they are meeting developmental milestones on time, and design programs for children who need professional intervention. Head Start, which has served more than 37 million children from low-income families as of 2019, is an example of the sort of program that would be designed and evaluated by developmental psychologists. Counseling psychologists provide counseling to people who need professional help to transition from one life stage to another. In an educational setting, they work at high schools, colleges, and universities to help young people identify their strengths and weaknesses in order to choose the best possible career path. Nonetheless, school psychology is a profession in its own right and should not be confused with other psychological specialties. While educational psychologists focus primarily on research, school psychologists work directly with children, regularly interacting with them by providing testing, consultations, and intervention as needed. Furthermore, school psychologists differ from counseling psychologists in that they provide holistic assistance to students to help them improve mentally and emotionally. School psychologists may talk with students about decisions related to choosing a career, college, or university, but their help goes further in helping students mature

Chapter 1: Becoming a School Psychologist

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