The Heart of Friendship: Nurturing Empathy in Young Hearts
In an elementary school, friendships play a pivotal role in shaping a child’s social and emotional development. As elementary school counselors, our mission is not only to address academic concerns but also to nurture the emotional intelligence of tomorrow’s leaders. One crucial aspect of this emotional intelligence is empathy—the ability to understand and share the…
Read MoreFive Ways to Build a Culture of Compassion and Positivity
Elementary school counselors play a crucial role in shaping the social and emotional landscape of schools. Fostering a culture of compassion, inclusivity, and positivity is essential for creating a nurturing environment where students can thrive academically and emotionally. What are specific strategies that can be incorporated into classroom lessons and school-wide initiatives, supported by relevant…
Read More3 Ways to Help Kids Make Friends
Not having a friend can be hard… What if it’s the first day of school and you are the new kid in the class? What if you return to school after a summer off, only to find that your best friend has made a whole new set of friends and you aren’t in the circle…
Read MoreGoal-Getter Kids: Cultivating a Growth Mindset in Elementary Students
How can we best nurture tomorrow’s leaders to have big dreams and an unyielding belief in their ability to succeed? One of the best ways is to share the power of a growth mindset and guide our young learners in setting and achieving their goals for the year ahead. Understanding the Growth Mindset: A growth…
Read MoreGetting Kids to Take Initiative
Kids and Initiative I often hear teachers 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. When asked what responsibilities they have, I would get a variety of…
Read MoreBurned out?
Four Ways to Overcome Burnout At my age, I talk to a lot of retired teachers as well as many educators who are counting the years until they can retire. While I do know teachers who absolutely love their work, there are a large number who are dissatisfied. In fact, about 50% of new teachers…
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