Counselor’s Corner

     This week in guidance class in the lower elementary grades we learned about feelings. This is part of the Empathy Unit. All the time, we look at people and try to figure out how they feel. We see clues on their faces and bodies that let us know how they feel.  Knowing how other people are feeling helps us get along with others better.

Counselor’s Corner

        In Guidance classes this week, I used the STRESS-FREE KID’s CURRICULUM. This month, the students learned about and experienced affirmations. Affirmations are compliments you give yourself, like “I like myself”, or “I learn easily”, or “I can do this”.

        During class, students were allowed to sit or lay down on the floor with their eyes open or closed and listen to a book on tape. The lights in the classroom are dimmed. In the story, the characters face a problem, and use simple affirmations to feel better. After the story finishes, quiet, beautiful music plays for 10 minutes. Students were given the choice to stay relaxing or color at their tables.

        We do this about once a month in all classes, and it is another way students learn strategies to calm themselves, increase their self-esteem, better focus in class, and feel good.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Ann O’Hearn

Counselor’s Corner

         Ah! Television, Ipods, Ipads, phones, video games…fun and entertaining. It’s great to relax and enjoy these devices. But too much “screen-time” is not good for kids, I think most parents would agree. So what do we do? Set limits on it.

        Kids usually will not set limits, so it’s good parenting to be aware of how long your child has been on a screen, and tell them to “get off.” If they resist, take the device from them for a period of time. Tell them, “it’s not good to be on it too much” (they know this too), and then make suggestions for other things they could do. And taking a device away for a day is a great, safe consequence you can give for misbehavior.

        Help your child have experiences other than “screen-time.” Invite friends over, go to a swimming pool or other favorite place to recreate, set up and play a board game with them, or go outside and take them with you. Keep trying to help them have some time in their days that is not on screen. I think this is the way it is for many of us parents today, limiting screen time is now a common parental responsibility. Just say “stop” and make sure that our children put down their devices for a part of their days/week.

Counselor’s Corner

“Friendship Groups”

At school I lead weekly friendship groups. Sometime these groups run year-long, and sometimes they are shorter – for example, six weeks. Usually the groups happen during lunchtime, quiet-time, or a special subject. The groups are an addition to the academic curriculum, and they provide opportunities for safe, positive interaction with peers and the enhancement of friendships. Sometimes a teacher suggests a friendship group for a student, sometimes the students themselves ask me if they can join a friendship group, and sometimes parents contact me to ask if their child can join a group. In the group, children play together. The play can be structured play such as a board game and/or sometimes the group members choose more open-ended, imaginative play. All members of the group are included, and participate at a level they are comfortable. Children are also free to decide not to come that day if they do not feel like attending. We have a lot of fun in friendship groups!