Best Practices: 3 Steps to Creating Engaging Lessons
Crafting engaging and interactive lessons for young elementary age students is both an art and a science. As counselors, we have the unique opportunity to captivate young minds, instill valuable lessons, and foster a love for learning. What are the best practices for creating dynamic lessons that balance listening time with movement, incorporate storytelling techniques,…
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,…
How to help children cope with stress
Positive ways to handle 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…
Reflecting 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…
Harnessing the Healing Power of Mandalas: Calming Elementary School Minds
Finding moments of calm and serenity amidst the hustle and bustle of daily school life is essential both for students and educators. One powerful tool that has gained recognition for its ability to promote relaxation and alleviate stress is the simple act of coloring mandalas. The Therapeutic Benefits of Mandalas: Mandalas, derived from the Sanskrit…
Summer 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…
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…
Be 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…
3 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…
What People Say About The Wyatt Books
kind words from educators, parents, and kids!
"Going to kindergarten is a milestone for everyone and the beginning of the year is usually filled with excitement and angst. Wyatt the Wonder Dog addresses the typical concerns that most children have in a sweet and relatable way. Kindergarten really is fun!"
"Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Teamwork is another great example of helping kids improve their social skills. It teaches kids the power of working together and how much better we are when we work as a community"
"[Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Mindset] This book is funny! It's dogs doing things that only people do! I learned to try new things."
Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Giving is a delightful book that teaches kids (and reminds adults, as well) that generosity is possible no matter how old, young, rich or poor we are. This is a powerful message and an engaging story that every child will love.
~Jen McDonough, author of Living Beyond Rich
Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Friendship teaches not only friendship and making connections, but also how to become successful at problem solving. Great for school counselors, teachers and families. Bravo!
Sharissa Shatten~ School Counselor
Feeling left out? Need help getting along with friends? Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Cooperation weaves important life skills into engaging story telling. Join Wyatt as he learns how to be the superhero in his group of friends by using cooperation and compromise.
~MaryFrances Gonzalez MACCCSLP
Have you ever had a friend that did some things that you disagreed with? Wyatt does and he doesn't know what to do about it. Join Wyatt as he learns that being honest with his friend is the best and only way to solve the problem. A great story!
~Lynn Hughes M.Ed. school counselor
If you've ever lost your lunch money or misplaced your favorite toy, you can relate to Wyatt the Wonder Dog. This adorable story offers simple, helpful ideas that kids and parents can use to make life less stressful and more fun!
~Erin K. Casey, author
