Distinguished Alumna Carol Stock Kranowitz '63 DPH

Hopkins was honored to welcome Carol Stock Kranowitz ’63 DPH back to campus on Monday, January 29. Kranowitz was named the 2018 Hopkins Distinguished Alumna for her work as an educator and author, who has worked to spread awareness and understanding of Sensory Processing Disorder in young children. The Hopkins Distinguished Alumni/ae Award is given annually to the person who, among his or her peers, is making outstanding contributions in their profession or field of endeavor, and the one who best exemplifies all the possibilities his/her Hopkins experience offered.

At an all school assembly, Kranowitz explained that as a preschool movement teacher she observed some children in her class were out of sync in group activities and certain situations. Seeking advice from the school’s psychologist, they determined that the likely cause of the child’s discomfort was Sensory Processing Disorder. However, she could find no further research or publications to help guide her own understanding or to share with the child’s parents. Seeing a clear deficit in this area of child development, she made it her life’s mission to understand this disorder and consequently wrote several books on the topic, which have since sold over one million copies.

Kranowitz engaged the gathered community with several movement exercises and explained that a little empathy can go a long way when encountering a child or person who is having a tough time in public. She said, “When someone’s behavior is unusual, look at that person and realize it is not the person’s fault.  The person is not trying to get attention, that person is just trying to survive.”

Kranowitz stressed four points, which she urged the community to apply to their own lives. Be Aware: use your senses to observe the world and it's intricate, infinite patterns. Care: pursue your passions with your entire body, mind and spirit. Dare: dare to take intellectual risks, take a mental leap and try new ideas. And Share: share your knowledge and talents with the world.

Following assembly, Kranowitz met with students, faculty and alumni/ae at a breakfast in Heath Commons, and spent the rest of the day attending classes and a Jazz Band rehearsal. Students enjoyed the opportunity to ask questions throughout the day, both about her research and her years at the Day Prospect Hill School.

Kranowitz will celebrate her 55th Reunion at this year’s Alumni/ae Weekend on June 1-2, during which she will give a presentation to her fellow alumni/ae, followed by a reception in her honor.

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Please watch the full assembly address in the video below:

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