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 about Mindfulness for Elementary School Counselors
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 process for ... VIEW POST
Teaching Peaceful Problem-Solving Skills Part 3: 6 Favorite Story Book Reviews
As a school counselor, one essential skill you’ll find yourself championing is problem-solving. The ability to navigate challenges– both big and small– is crucial for students' social emotional well-being and development! If you haven't already, please check out Part 1 and Part 2 of my problem-solving skills series.The Importance of Problem-Solving SkillsProblem-solving is a life skill that extends far beyond the classroom and elementary school!By fostering problem-solving abilities in students, ... VIEW POST
Story Books that Teach Growth Mindset
Our “mindset,” or the way we think about ourselves, MATTERS! It controls how we feel, how we act, and the choices we make. Dr. Carol Dweck’s ground-breaking research on growth mindset has taken the education and mental health fields by storm (deservingly so)!So, What is Growth Mindset? Growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, effort, and continuous learning. It contrasts with a fixed mindset, which assumes that skills and traits are innate ... VIEW POST