Posts by Lynne Watts
How 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…
Read More3 Ways to Help Children Develop Resilience
3 Ways to Help Children Develop Resilience What does a child do when faced with a challenging situation? Give Up Find an adult to fix the problem Attempt to solve the problem What is resilience? It is the ability to recover from difficulties. What are the key factors in developing resilience? Here’s what we know…
Read MoreEmpowering Kids to Be the Hero in Their Life Journey
What if instead of thinking of our lives as a random series of events, we thought of our lives as a story with each of us as the hero faced with challenges, triumphs and opportunities for growth? What if we not only shared this concept with students, but taught them the power of seeing themselves…
Read MoreThe Challenge of the Unmotivated Student (and 5 Things to Do About It)
It is a rare school counselor who hasn’t received at least one referral ( and probably lots more!) for an unmotivated student. Usually by the time you get the referral, the teacher is at his or her wits end and has tried everything they can think of to engage the student. Now it’s your turn……
Read MoreNurturing the Nurturers: Self Care Tips Amidst Stressful Times
In the whirlwind of supporting students, managing crises, and navigating the ever-changing landscape of education, it’s easy for us as counselors to neglect our own well-being. However, prioritizing self-care is not just beneficial—it’s essential. What Has Changed? Increasing Demands: The days of wondering why there even needs to be a counselor in the schools is…
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