Laura is a former school psychologist passionately trying to bring social-emotional learning to every student at every tier. Click here for hands-on resources for the classroom and counseling.
By Laura Driscoll | Behavior , Social Emotional Skills
Calming exercises for kids are best when they are simple and engaging. While we can fill up baskets with calming tools or teach students yoga poses, it’s even better to start with the easiest strategy: breathing. Let’s start with simple belly breathing and then move on to some fun variations.Why Deep Breathing?Deep breathing tells the brain […]
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By Laura Driscoll | Social Emotional Skills
SMART Goals are an incredible tool to teach students when they are setting goals. Well, that is if they do anything with them. Sometimes, we set goals with students and then let them collect dust on the shelf. We all know that with our own goals, we have to track them and keep our focus […]
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By Laura Driscoll | Behavior , Social Emotional Skills
Self-regulation helps students know how they feel and know how to handle those feelings so they can manage them. During a school day, self regulation activities for kids can make all the difference between a hectic hot mess and a couple bumps in the road. Picture being able to handle a student on the verge […]
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By Laura Driscoll | Group Counseling , Individual Counseling , Social Emotional Skills
When times get tough, we all really make sure to prioritize self care and reinvest in healthy habits. HAHAHAHA. Just kidding, we keep pouring from an empty cup, eat ice cream for dinner and ignore self care til our eyes start twitching. I know it’s not just me. And kids are no different. When the stress […]
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By Laura Driscoll | Social Emotional Skills
Setting goals with elementary students is a perfect way to motivate students and build this key skill from a young age. I have found that books are a great medium to begin to explore goals and what it takes to achieve them. I choose six of my favorites that span K-5. There are affiliate links included […]
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By Laura Driscoll | Behavior , Social Emotional Skills
Brain breaks are short, simple activities that teachers can do during transitions, when their class is not 100% present, and as a regular part of the schedule. Throughout a school day, there are a lot of demands on students to stay in control of their behavior, complete their work, focus on instruction, and participate. That’s […]
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By Laura Driscoll | Group Counseling , Social Emotional Skills
When I asked school counselors and psychologists about what they include in their counseling sessions, a feelings check in was by far the most popular answer. This past year, a special education teacher posted a Mental Health Check In she did with her students and it went viral. We all know how important it is […]
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By Laura Driscoll | Social Emotional Skills
A great way to incorporate social emotional learning into your classroom is through children’s books. Read alouds are a regular routine in your classroom and so many books highlight social-emotional themes. One SEL standard focuses on a student recognizing their own personal qualities. The following seven children’s books on being yourself are the perfect way […]
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By Laura Driscoll | Behavior , Social Emotional Skills
To me, a calm classroom doesn’t have to mean a quiet one. It means a classroom where students are taught and practice being in charge of their feelings and behaviors. This can be through calm corners, guided breaks to reset, steps to resolve peer conflicts, flexible seating, or lessons to help students find their preferred […]
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By Laura Driscoll | Group Counseling , Individual Counseling
Individual counseling with kindergarteners is anything but simple. They may not be able to understand some concepts, have limited vocabulary and experiences, and are still developing self-regulation skills. Plus, if they are coming to counseling, they are most likely missing some key skills that their peers have. Oh, and you are probably doing this at […]
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