Making School Year 2024-2025 the Best Year Ever

back-to-school

Create an Intentional year What can we do to get off to a great start and create the conditions necessary for a new beginning?  There’s a lot! Five Strategies for a Magical and Intentional Year Set an intention–-Not to get all woo-woo on you here but this is a useful technique for whatever you are doing that…

Read More

Emotional Regulation and Nurturing the Good Inside

angry-child

Every child brings a unique set of challenges and triumphs. For elementary school counselors, dealing with behavioral issues, emotional hurdles, and social struggles, it can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. However, there’s a powerful concept that can transform how we approach these difficulties: “good inside.” Clinical psychologist, Becky Kennedy’s insightful book, Good Inside, introduces…

Read More

Kids and the Healing Power of Nature

Three silly, playing kids

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 More

How to help children cope with stress

Pensive child

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 More

Reflecting on the School Year… A Vital Lesson

Male Student Working At Desk In Chinese School Classroom

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 More

Summer Reading List: What I’m Reading Now

little girl reading a book

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 More