Social Emotional Learning
Where Negative Thoughts Come From and How to Change Them
Negative thoughts… we’ve all got them. But where do they come from? Kids and adults alike probably think that negative thoughts just happen but in actuality there are four places that they may come from. We fail at something or make a mistake: Instead of seeing failure as a necessary part of success, instead we…
Read MoreFive Steps to Teach Kids to be Kind
We all want and expect others to be kind but exactly what is kindness, how is it developed, and why does it matter? There are 5 steps to teaching kindness: Define what kindness: Teach that kindness is being friendly, generous and considerate. Next teach that based on our environment, our family of origin, and our…
Read MoreEvery Child Needs a Champion
Don’t we all need a little encouragement like that from time to time? Someone to remind us of that all things are possible? Someone who accepts us just as we are without judgement, then helps us to be the better version of ourselves? Someone who isn’t just task focused (get the work done!) but…
Read MoreHelping Kids Develop Self-Compassion Through Self-Talk
Growing Self Compassion The term monkey brain refers to the mind’s constant chatter. According to some brain scientists, the mind creates 50,000 thoughts a day. That chatter keeps us not only unfocused but out of touch. Much of that chatter unfortunately is negative self-talk. We are all at its mercy and children are no exception, which is why…
Read MoreTeach Kids Not to Give Up
Do you have a student who gives up easily? Is her philosophy that if she can’t succeed right away, then there’s no point in trying? Does he always anticipate failure when faced with an obstacle? We all face challenges and difficulty from time to time. What makes the difference between someone who persists in the…
Read MoreCreate a Positive Back to School Mindset
foxtale1Tackling Those Back to School Blues…
It’s back to school and there is excitement in the air! As the school counselor in an elementary school, the beginning of school was always a mixed bag of smiles and tears. I frequently spent lots of time comforting crying children who missed mom, dad, brother, sister or their second cousin once removed. It was always interesting to me that I didn’t often have crying children on the first day but for the next week or so, I usually had several. What’s going on? Why cry on the second day but not the first?
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