From ‘I Have to Get It Right’ to ‘I Can Try Again’: Tackling Perfectionism in Kids

girl-doing-homework-

Perfectionism in children is often misunderstood. At first glance, it can look like motivation, high standards, or academic excellence. But beneath the surface, perfectionism in elementary students is frequently rooted in anxiety, fear of failure, and low self-confidence. For elementary school counselors, recognizing and addressing perfectionism early is critical. Left unchecked, it can impact academic…

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The Power of Storytelling in Elementary Counseling: Helping Kids Learn Life Skills That Stick

little girl reading a book

Why Young Children Learn Best Through Stories Elementary school counselors are always looking for effective, developmentally appropriate ways to teach social-emotional skills. Research and classroom experience consistently show that young children learn best through stories. Storytelling captures attention, builds emotional connection, and helps students internalize social-emotional learning (SEL) skills in ways lectures and worksheets simply…

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Debunking the Biggest Myths About Self-Confidence (What Kids Really Need to Know)

kids in the school, classroom

Self-confidence is often talked about as if it’s something students either have or don’t have. In reality, self-confidence is a skill that can be taught, practiced, and strengthened over time. Unfortunately, many students (and adults) believe myths about confidence that actually undermine resilience, risk-taking, and growth. Elementary school counselors are uniquely positioned to help students…

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How to Help Students Set Goals They’ll Actually Want to Achieve

goal setting

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…

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