Resilience: Helping Students Thrive Through Challenges

tug of war

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…

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The Kid President and Resilience

Wonder Where the Kid President is Now? In 2013,  Robby Novak, otherwise known as the Kid President, took the world by storm. Over a  three million views on just his first video. Why?  What made him so engaging? Well, he was funny, energetic, loved to dance AND had a good message. He encouraged teachers to look…

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Common Symptoms of Trauma and What to Do About It

sad boy at window

Recognizing the symptoms of PTSD in children is crucial for early intervention. Symptoms may vary depending on the child’s age and the nature of the trauma, but some common signs include: Re-experiencing the Trauma: The child may have nightmares, flashbacks, or intrusive thoughts related to the traumatic event. Avoidance: The child may avoid places, people,…

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Kids and the Healing Power of Nature

Three silly, playing kids

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,…

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How to Raise Responsible, Self-Reliant Children

Family at kitchen

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…

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Empowering Kids to Be the Hero in Their Life Journey

superhero boy and girl

What if instead of thinking of our lives as a random series of events, we thought of our lives as a story with each of us as the hero faced with challenges, triumphs and opportunities for growth? What if we not only shared this concept with students, but taught them the power of seeing themselves…

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