Self control is a skill that kids develop over time that contributes to academic, relationship, and life success! Whether it’s managing impulses, staying focused, or regulating emotions, nurturing self control sets the stage for lifelong well being. In this post, we’ll explore nine strategies to help children cultivate self-control effectively. Counselors and caregivers alike can teach kids self control with these strategies: Teach Kids Self Control 1 – Establish Routines Consistent routines provide structure and predictability, which can help children feel secure and in control. Predictable r ..read more

I’m always on the hunt for hands-on tools for my students to help them manage feelings! In first grade, we’ve been talking a lot about managing frustration or annoyance. We’ve covered recognizing feelings, simple problem solving, calming strategies and so much more! For some of my more physically responsive students, I wanted to help them create a tool they could rely on when they need to safely exert tension from feelings. These easy DIY stress balls were the perfect take-home tool for them! DIY Stress Balls Lesson These stress balls are perfect for any classroom guidance lesson or small grou ..read more

School counselors across the country are seeing more anxiety in their students. In this post, we’ll delve into evidence-based interventions designed to address anxiety effectively in elementary-aged students. From cognitive-behavioral therapy to mindfulness techniques, discover practical strategies tailored to support the emotional well-being of young learners. Join us as we explore evidence-based interventions for anxiety in kids to help them navigate these feelings and thrive in their academic and social environments. Evidence-Based Interventions for Anxiety in Kids 1 – Cognitive Behavioral ..read more

Friendship skills are a hallmark of elementary school counseling programs! Whether you’re teaching these skills at tier 1 in your classroom counseling lessons or in tier 2 in friendship groups, it can be tough to pinpoint the right curriculum and activities! I’ve heard from so many of you that in light of the changes in the last few years, it is sometimes hard to figure out what curriculum is a good fit for your particular students, and I totally get it. If you’re wondering what is the best friendship group counseling curriculum for you, here’s a breakdown so you can choose what fits best for ..read more

We all want our kids and students to see how amazing they are, but the truth is, they all come from different places with different outside influences that can impact how they feel. Questions like, “How are you feeling about yourself?” can feel daunting and abstract to kids and sometimes result in door-closing answers like, “Good,” or “Fine.” To really get kids to open us, try these 3 strategies to talk about self esteem with kids: Talk About Self Esteem with Kids 1 – Make It Fun Talking about self esteem topics can feel a little strange to kids, especially if they’re dealing with low self est ..read more

We all want our students to grow in so many areas – from academics to social skills and beyond – and confidence is a key piece to all of those areas. Giving kids opportunities to feel successful while also creating an environment that presents safety for risk-taking is key to building confidence. Keep reading to find some easy tips to help kids build confidence at school and some fun activities to practice! Help Kids Build Confidence at School 1 – Create a safe, warm environment If kids don’t feel safe to speak up, to try new things, or to express feelings, confidence is stifled. A school and ..read more

In the elementary setting (and let’s be honest…. middle and high school as well), social filtering is an important skill that school counselors and teachers are constantly teaching and reinforcing. Helping students understand that not all thoughts need to be shared aloud and that words have the power to harm or heal is critical for friendship, conflict resolution, and so much more. Check out these favorite social filter books from my school counseling shelf that help kids build this important skill! Social Filter Books for Kids I Can’t Believe You Said That! I Can’t Believe You Said That! by J ..read more

Part of our friendship unit in first grade covers self control as an important social skill. We talk about things like using the appropriate voice volume when talking to peers, asking before touching someone, among other things. To introduce the concept, I use Clark the Shark and a fun craft with my students. Keep reading to find my first grade self control activity! First Grade Self Control Activity Hook: Ocean Self Control To start the lesson, I pose the question, “What ocean creature do you think has the best self control?” Students love this because they love explaining their thinking and ..read more

In first grade, we start the year by reviewing the feelings and coping skills that we learned about in kindergarten. Then, we begin talking about the connections between thoughts, feelings, and actions. In November, we talk about how gratitude can change our feelings, thoughts, and actions. Keep reading to find out fun first grade gratitude activity! First Grade Gratitude Activity Hook: Superpower To start the lesson, I ask students to share what superpower they would choose if they could have any superpower in the world! I get lots of responses like invisibility, mind reading, etc. Then, I te ..read more

Leadership Readalouds for School Counseling Kids are never. too young to learn about leadership! In a K-6 elementary school, I teach about leadership at all levels. In this post, I’m sharing 4 of my favorite leadership readalouds that I use in 1st-3rd grade! Leadership Readalouds 1 – Sophia Valdez, Future Prez This is such an amazing book that highlights the importance of stepping up. Sophia Valdez wants to make change in her community, and even when it’s scary and even when she faces roadblocks, she keeps going because it’s the right thing to do. I use this book in 3rd grade for our leadershi ..read more