Work Smarter, Not Harder: Teaching Students How to Learn Effectively
As elementary school counselors, part of our role is helping students build not just social-emotional skills but also strong learning habits. When students learn how to learn, they become more confident, engaged, and resilient in the classroom. Below are six key strategies counselors can teach—and practical ways to integrate them into small groups, classroom lessons,…
From Big Feelings to Healthy Choices: Guiding Students Through Emotions
Body Language and Feelings A standard lesson that I taught every year as an elementary school counselor was recognizing feelings. It was a fun lesson. I’d bring in large cut outs of children showing mad, sad, happy or scared feelings and ask kids to guess how the child was feeling. We’d talk about body language…
Unlocking Motivation: Helping Students Choose Success
In today’s educational environment, we are more aware than ever that student motivation and engagement is essential for lasting learning. I can’t tell you how many times as a school counselor, I had discussions with teachers, parents and kids about being motivated. However, I’m afraid we rarely discussed how important intrinsic motivation is vs. extrinsic…
Small Groups, Big Results: A Counselor’s Guide to Group Work
One of the most powerful tools elementary school counselors can use is the small counseling group. Small groups create an ideal setting to build trust, provide targeted support, and teach meaningful lessons—all while maximizing your time by reaching several students at once. Students benefit from shared experiences, peer support, and practical strategies they can take…
Friendship Troubles: Helping Students Navigate Tricky Friend Situations
Handling challenging situations. Knowing when to move on… What do you do when a friend wants to do something that is unkind, thoughtless, or involves breaking the rules? What do you do when a friend is bossy, self-centered and treats you unkindly? If a friend treats you badly, is it okay to treat them the…
“That’s Not Fair!” and Other Ploys: Turning Student Pushback Into Positive Growth
As elementary school counselors, we often encounter familiar phrases that students use as emotional shields, attempts to avoid accountability, or ways to test boundaries. These “ploys” may seem like resistance, but they’re actually great teaching moments. Here’s how to respond to five common student ploys with empathy, clarity, and growth-focused strategies. “It’s Not Fair.” What…
Fail Forward: Helping Kids Turn Setbacks into Stepping Stones
In a world of high expectations and pressure to perform, even young students can feel overwhelmed by the ideas of success and failure. As school counselors, we play a crucial role in guiding them to understand that failure isn’t the end of the story—it’s often the beginning. When framed correctly, setbacks can become powerful springboards…
Start Strong: 5 Ways Counselors Plan for a Fantastic School Year
As an elementary school counselor, the start of the school year is your chance to set the tone—not just for your students, but for yourself. Whether you’re new to the role or a seasoned professional, being intentional in how you begin can set you up for success. Below are five practical strategies to position yourself…
Calm in the Chaos: Strategies for Supporting an Upset Student
Whether it’s a playground conflict, academic frustration, or something happening at home, elementary students can get upset for many reasons—and those emotions often show up suddenly and intensely. As a school counselor, your approach in those fragile moments can make all the difference. With the right strategies, you can build trust, de-escalate big feelings, and…
What People Say About The Wyatt Books
kind words from educators, parents, and kids!
"Going to kindergarten is a milestone for everyone and the beginning of the year is usually filled with excitement and angst. Wyatt the Wonder Dog addresses the typical concerns that most children have in a sweet and relatable way. Kindergarten really is fun!"
"Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Teamwork is another great example of helping kids improve their social skills. It teaches kids the power of working together and how much better we are when we work as a community"
"[Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Mindset] This book is funny! It's dogs doing things that only people do! I learned to try new things."
Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Giving is a delightful book that teaches kids (and reminds adults, as well) that generosity is possible no matter how old, young, rich or poor we are. This is a powerful message and an engaging story that every child will love.
~Jen McDonough, author of Living Beyond Rich
Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Friendship teaches not only friendship and making connections, but also how to become successful at problem solving. Great for school counselors, teachers and families. Bravo!
Sharissa Shatten~ School Counselor
Feeling left out? Need help getting along with friends? Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Cooperation weaves important life skills into engaging story telling. Join Wyatt as he learns how to be the superhero in his group of friends by using cooperation and compromise.
~MaryFrances Gonzalez MACCCSLP
Have you ever had a friend that did some things that you disagreed with? Wyatt does and he doesn't know what to do about it. Join Wyatt as he learns that being honest with his friend is the best and only way to solve the problem. A great story!
~Lynn Hughes M.Ed. school counselor
If you've ever lost your lunch money or misplaced your favorite toy, you can relate to Wyatt the Wonder Dog. This adorable story offers simple, helpful ideas that kids and parents can use to make life less stressful and more fun!
~Erin K. Casey, author
