behavior management
Teaching Kids to Get Better at Getting Along
Teaching kids to get along together You’ve got two kids who disagree and fight constantly… Yet they seem attracted to each other like magnets… You’ve talked to them You’ve threatened them You’ve separated them… repeatedly. What’s the answer? We’ve all been in this situation before as educators and parents; two kids who just can’t get…
Read More3 Mistakes Even the Best School Counselors Make
Being an elementary school counselor is one of the most rewarding—and demanding—roles in education. You’re the emotional anchor of the school, helping students navigate everything from academic struggles to family transitions. But even the most dedicated counselors can fall into common traps that drain their energy and limit their impact. How do I know? I…
Read MoreHow 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 MoreConnection with Kids
Connection with Kids In her book, The Good News about Bad Behavior, the author, Kathryn Lewis, identifies three steps that are taught in the Parent Encouragement Program. It will come as no surprise to counselors of all types that the first step is connection. Establishing rapport with a student is always the first necessary step…
Read MoreWhat to Do About a Student with Angry Outbursts
Angry Outbursts: Prevention and Coping Skills On a School Counselor Facebook page, a school counselor asks for help with a 5th grader who regularly has angry outbursts over such things as forgetting his work at home or his Chromebook is missing from the class. During sessions focused on helping him calm down, he’s still very…
Read MoreWhy you can’t motivate kids…
Why you can’t motivate kids… Do your school work! Where is your homework! Clean up your desk! Follow directions without reminders. How many of your referrals are for kids who are too stubborn, won’t cooperate and don’t do their work? How much of your time as a counselor is spent trying to motivate students? What…
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