Teaching Integrity: A Key to Building Resilience and Strong Character
Integrity is more than telling the truth. Integrity is doing the right thing—especially when no one is watching—because it aligns with who you are and what you value. It includes honesty, responsibility, fairness, and consistency in actions and words. How Integrity Builds Resilience Integrity strengthens resilience by: Offering students a stable inner compass when facing…
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…
Self-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…
How 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…
Boosting 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…
How to Help Students Set Goals They’ll Actually Want to Achieve
Helping kids learn to set goals can be a skill that serves them well in every area of life. However, it can also be a frustrating and discouraging experience for them! Even adults have great difficulty setting and following through on goals. Goal setting is a cornerstone of student success, but not all goals are…
Vision 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,…
Plan 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…
Beyond Gifts: Building Character in Students During the Holidays
The holiday season offers a natural opportunity for school counselors to guide students in developing character traits that go far beyond decorations and presents. By emphasizing generosity, kindness, inclusivity, and forgiveness, counselors can help students focus on meaningful connections, relationships, and personal growth. Creating a Positive, Relationship-Focused Environment Counselors play a key role in shifting…
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
