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 MUST-HAVE Books that Teach Self-Control for School Counselors
Counseling Activities & Lessons that Teach Kindness
In the lively atmosphere of elementary schools, kindness is key! Kindness is a fundamental piece of social emotional learning that shapes every part of our world. As an elementary school counselor, you have the privilege to instill kindness in the lives of your students. Use activities and lessons that teach kindness to ensure that students understand why kindness matters and how to easily demonstrate it to those around them. There are so many great ways to teach kindness - let's dive right into ... 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 & Strategies for Teaching Conflict Resolution
As a school counselor, one of the most important aspects of your job is helping students navigate the complexities of relationships and conflict resolution. Teaching children how to effectively manage conflicts is crucial for creating a positive and inclusive school environment!Read on for reviews of my 7 must-have books and explanations of 5 of my favorite strategies for teaching conflict resolution to elementary learners. 7 Must-Have Story Books for Teaching Conflict ResolutionDon’t ... VIEW POST
Grief & Loss PART 4: Activities to Help Students Cope with Grief & Loss
All of us experience grief and loss at some point in our lives, with many of us navigating our first loss as children. Coping with grief while balancing academic and social responsibilities (and just being a kid!) is challenging! As the school counselor, you have a unique opportunity to provide support and teach students practical skills for managing grief that will last a lifetime. Having engaging and interactive activities on hand to support students is crucial in providing this much-needed ... VIEW POST
Grief & Loss PART 3: Resources to Help Students Cope with Grief & Loss
Grief is a complex emotion that follows a great loss in a person’s life. For elementary students, these losses can include the death of a loved one, a major life change like moving schools, or a severed friendship. As a school counselor, having high-quality resources on hand to support your students through grief is critical!Introduction to Grief in Students and How School Counselors Can HelpGrief is such a big emotion for students to deal with. It is defined as deep sorrow.Grief can manifest ... VIEW POST