If you were to ask your students: “What is mental health?” or “How do you take care of your brain?” How many of them could give a good answer? The answer was VERY few at my school! So, I got to work. Although May is the official Mental Health Awareness Month, as school counselors, we […]
Goal-setting is an essential life skill, and what better time to start than in elementary school? Teaching kids how to set and achieve goals not only helps them accomplish things they’re excited about, but also builds their confidence, perseverance, and problem-solving skills. In this post, we’ll explore fun and creative ways to introduce goal-setting to […]
Teaching diversity and acceptance to little learners is essential for building a safe, inclusive, and compassionate school community. When children learn to celebrate differences, embrace what makes them unique, and treat others with respect, they build stronger friendships and create a more welcoming world. Not to mention, they set the foundation for a lifetime of […]
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday to weave in social-emotional learning. Gratitude is a valuable quality to nurture year-round, but the holiday season is the perfect time to teach it. So, what is gratitude, anyway? Here’s the definition that I use: Why Teach Gratitude? Helping kids develop a sense of gratitude is a powerful way to […]
From online gaming to social media to YouTube, kids are hooked on technology more than ever before. Don’t get me wrong, technology has its benefits! There are countless meaningful and impactful educational tools that can boost kids’ math, reading, problem-solving skills, and more. And the chance to connect virtually with long-distance loved ones is priceless! […]
Teaching social-emotional learning (SEL) to PreK students is, arguably, even more important than academics! But, doing so can be intimidating for elementary school counselors with our little friends’ short attention spans, fidgety and squirrely nature, and lack of foundational skills. These little learners are just beginning to understand their feelings, build relationships, and interact with […]
