Posts by Lynne Watts
Kids and the Healing Power of Nature
What if a walk in a green environment could rewire brains, calm anxiety, and stave off mental health problems? I don’t have to tell you that mental health concerns among children is at an all time high. From academic stress to social pressures and familial issues, the weight of these challenges can be overwhelming. Additionally,…
Read MoreHow to help children cope with stress
Moving to a new neighborhood. Making new friends. Starting a new class or moving to the next grade level. Starting back to school after a pandemic. A new brother or sister is born, parents separate and divorce, an older sibling goes away to college. Children, like adults thrive on the security of routine and the…
Read MoreReflecting on the School Year… A Vital Lesson
As the school year draws to a close, elementary school counselors have a golden opportunity to teach a crucial lesson on the importance of reflection. Reflecting on the past school year allows students to celebrate their successes, learn from their failures, and prepare for the journey ahead. Why Reflection Matters Reflection is a powerful tool…
Read MoreSummer Reading List: What I’m Reading Now
Summer Reading List: What I’m Reading Now As you might imagine, I spend a lot of time reading books, listening to podcasts and watching videos, all in an effort to keep up with current thinking and new strategies for helping young children succeed in our challenging world. Summertime is often a great time to catch up…
Read MoreHow to Raise Responsible, Self-Reliant Children
Helping Kids Develop a Can Do Attitude I often hear teachers and parents alike lament that the students today have little intrinsic motivation and initiative. Certainly as a school counselor, I often presented lessons on being responsible. When asked what it means to be responsible, children usually have a good idea. They would identify tasks like…
Read MoreBe the hero in your story
How to be the hero in your own life In a school where I was doing some training, I found this quote on a classroom wall: “Be the hero in your own story.” I love the concept. In recent years the story arc has been incorporated into business and many other mediums where we might…
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