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 my favorites! Why Kindness Matters Kindness is the cornerstone of healthy relationships, empathy ..read more

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 Kindness Matters Before diving head first into these great books about kindness, let’s chat a littl ..read more

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 Apologize Children always learn best when the information presented to them is easy to understand and manageable. This 4 step process for learning how to apologize is just that! 1. Take Ownership The first step in the apology ..read more

School counselors, does the thought of facilitating small groups make you feel weak in the knees? Do you feel lost on where to start, how to select students, how many sessions to plan, which curriculum to use, how to evaluate data, and the list goes on? I got you, boo! Let’s dive into 9 tips to run smooth and effective counseling small groups with elementary students, and get you started as soon as this week!  Why Small Groups? Let’s take a minute to remember why small group counseling is so beneficial: Efficiency Peer Learning and Support Social Skill Development Efficiency First and ..read more

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 Skills Problem-solving is a life skill that extends far beyond the classroom and elementary school! By fostering problem-solving abilities in students, you empower them to approach challenges with resilience, creativity, and a growth mindset. Thes ..read more

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 Resolution Don’t underestimate the power of incorporating books into your school counseling curriculum – try these 7 books a ..read more

You’re a new elementary school counselor and are feeling overwhelmed. There are so many new faces. New and varied responsibilities. You’re needed in so many ways and by so many people. You just don’t know where to start. Friend, I’ve been there! From a seasoned counselor to you, here are 7 ways you can build a strong foundation as a new elementary school counselor this year!  1) Create (and stick to) a consistent classroom lesson schedule Before students start school, establish a consistent schedule for classroom lessons. At teacher inservice, ask each grade level for their preferred l ..read more

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 support.  Understanding Grief in Kids Kids process grief differently than adults. They may have ..read more

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 Help Grief is such a big emotion for students to deal with. It is defined as deep sorrow. Grief can manifest itself in children in a variety of ways and impact a child negatively while at school. If left un ..read more

As school counselors, we never know what students will bring to us each day, and sometimes their needs are so great, so profound, that it can be overwhelming even for us as trained professionals. Storybooks are a great tool to help students cope with grief and loss! What Does Grief Look Like in Students?  Grief is defined as deep sorrow.  Students who do not process big emotions, like grief and loss, are at-risk for several physical, social, emotional, and academic hardships: Loss of sleep Lowered appetite Compromised immune system Difficulty concentrating Withdrawal A drop in grad ..read more