Posts by Lynne Watts
Box Breathing for Kids: A Stress-Relief Strategy Every Elementary School Counselor Should Use
Box breathing—also known as square breathing—is a simple, structured deep breathing technique designed to calm the nervous system and improve emotional regulation. It involves four equal steps: Inhale for 4 counts → Hold for 4 counts → Exhale for 4 counts → Hold for 4 counts Repeat this pattern for 4–6 cycles to help the…
Read MoreSelf-Control & Resilience: Strategies Every Elementary School Counselor Should Use
Self-control is the ability to manage thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in order to make choices that align with goals rather than impulses. For elementary school students, self-control looks like waiting a turn, managing frustration, staying focused when distracted, pausing before reacting, and practicing patience even when things feel hard. How Self-Control Supports Resilience Resilience is…
Read MoreHow Empathy Builds Resilience: Practical Strategies for Elementary School Counselors
Empathy is the ability to understand, connect with, and respond to the feelings of others. It goes beyond sympathy or “feeling sorry for someone”—it’s the skill of recognizing someone else’s emotional experience and responding with compassion, support, or thoughtful action. In the context of elementary school counseling and social-emotional learning, empathy is foundational. It strengthens…
Read MoreBoosting Self-Confidence in Children: School Counselor Strategies That Strengthen Resilience
Self-confidence is a cornerstone of emotional well-being, academic success, and lifelong resilience. For elementary school counselors, intentionally teaching and reinforcing self-confidence is not just beneficial—it’s essential. Students who feel capable, valued, and able to take on challenges are more prepared to bounce back from setbacks, persevere through frustration, and believe in their potential. What Is…
Read MoreVision Boards for Kids: A Powerful Goal-Setting Tool for Elementary School Counselors
Teaching students how to set and achieve goals is one of the most impactful life skills an elementary school counselor can provide. While goal setting can sometimes feel abstract for young learners, vision boards offer a developmentally appropriate, hands-on way to make goals concrete, visual, and motivating. This creative strategy supports academic success, social-emotional learning,…
Read MorePlan Ahead, Shine Ahead: Teaching Elementary Students the Power of Being Prepared
For elementary school counselors, teaching students to be prepared is about more than just having supplies or finishing homework—it’s about helping children build habits of responsibility, planning, and self-management that will support them throughout their academic journey and beyond. Being prepared helps students feel confident, reduces anxiety, and allows them to take ownership of their…
Read More