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 build their emotional well-being and strengthen their connections with others. It provides students with a way to recognize the positive aspects of their lives and ... VIEW POST
7 Activities that Teach Gratitude: A Guide for School Counselors
11 Ways to Keep Kids Cyber Safe: A Guide for School Counselors
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! But, as we all know, technology also brings with it major challenges and scary risks to our vulnerable kiddos. To protect our kids, we ... VIEW POST
6 Must-Have Books about Mindfulness for Elementary School Counselors
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, mindfulness has emerged as a powerful tool to help us manage stress, improve focus, and foster emotional resilience. For elementary school counselors, introducing mindfulness practices to young children can be a transformative way to support their overall well-being.Understanding MindfulnessSo, what is mindfulness, anyway? Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the “here and now”. It includes paying special attention to our breathing, thoughts, ... VIEW POST
6 MUST-HAVE Books that Teach Self-Control for School Counselors
As elementary school counselors, our job is to equip students with essential social-emotional skills that serve them in school and beyond. The growth of self-control is a cornerstone of early childhood development, and storybooks are my favorite way to introduce it! Check out these 6 must-have books that teach self-control:Before we dive into story book reviews and a couple of lessons to go along with them, let's review the basics of teaching self-control.Understanding Self-ControlSelf-control ... VIEW POST
6 BEST Books about Kindness for Elementary School Counselors
Instilling kindness among students is so important! Kindness is more than just a virtue– it’s a fundamental part of creating a supportive and inclusive school community. Story books are a great way to work towards this goal. Books not only engage students in learning, but also serve as invaluable resources for teaching social-emotional learning (SEL) topics like kindness. Read on to learn about the 6 BEST books about kindness you can use as an elementary school counselor this year!Why Teaching ... VIEW POST
4 Easy Steps to Teach Students How to Apologize
Learning to apologize is a crucial tool that helps students grow their social skills, conflict resolution skills, and friendships! But, most of our kids don’t know how to do it! That’s where we step in – school counselors play a crucial role in teaching students to apologize effectively and take ownership of their actions! 4 Steps to Teaching Students How to ApologizeChildren always learn best when the information presented to them is easy to understand and manageable. This 4 step ... VIEW POST
