Posts by Lynne Watts
Teach Girls Bravery not Perfection
Reshma Saujani is a woman with a mission. She is on a campaign to change the way that we socialize young girls. Her premise is this: girls are taught to be perfect, while boys are taught to be brave. How does this happen? In her effort to challenge more young women to tackle careers…
Read MoreResilience: Helping Students Thrive Through Challenges
What does a student do when faced with a challenging situation? Give Up Find an adult to fix the problem Attempt to solve the problem Resilience is the ability to bounce back from challenges, adapt to difficult situations, and keep going in the face of adversity. For elementary-aged students, resilience might look like staying calm…
Read MoreBuilding Self Esteem the Growth Mindset Way
Back in the day when I was a kid, (which I admit was long, long ago), no one worried about kids developing self-esteem. I’m not even sure the concept of self-esteem existed. What did parents worry about? Well, other normal stuff; kids behaving, kids being successful in school, kids getting along with each other. Then…
Read MoreGrowing Self-Esteem in Schools: Simple Ways Counselors Can Make a Difference
What is Positive Self-Esteem? Positive self-esteem is a child’s belief in their own worth, abilities, and potential. It’s the confidence to take on challenges, the resilience to bounce back from setbacks, and the self-acceptance that fosters happiness and motivation. When students feel valued and capable, they are more likely to take risks, try new things,…
Read MoreWhen Good Isn’t Good Enough: Supporting the Perfectionistic Child
Do you know a child who is a perfectionist? Do they put more pressure on themselves to succeed than you do? Does he become hysterical when he misses one question on a test or doesn’t make the highest grade? Does she collapse into tears when she strikes out at bat or misses a catch? Does…
Read MoreWords Matter: What Not to Say to an Anxious Child
Before Covid-19, anxiety was on the rise, however, the pandemic has made for a significant increase. Currently, one in four children suffer from anxiety disorder. Of course, fear and worry have always been a normal part of childhood. It is a rare child that doesn’t at some point have a fear of monsters or the…
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