We learned about and practiced the decision making process.A decision is when we make up our mind about something, or when we make a choice. Some decisions are easier than others, and some decisions need to be carefully considered. We can use a simple, three-step decision-making process to help us make smart decisions. The first step is to stop and define the problem or choice to be made. Next, think about the choices you could make and the outcome each choice might bring. Last, go and do the choice that is best for you. This process helps us think creatively about our options as well as consider the consequences beforehand.
We learned what self-esteem is, how it affects us, and ways we can improve it.Self-esteem refers to the way we feel about ourselves or how we view ourselves. If we feel good about ourselves, that is known as having high-self esteem. If we feel bad about ourselves, that is known as having low self-esteem. There are many things that affect our level of self-esteem, including how other people treat us. Low-self esteem can result in lack of motivation and social isolation, as well as substance use. Developing a high self-esteem (a positive view of ourselves) helps us succeed academically, emotionally, and socially. Some ways we can promote high self-esteem are considering our strengths and abilities, making connections with other people, and making short-and long-term goals.
Our school was very fortunate to receive the Botvin Life Skills Training curriculum for our 3rd-6th grades. This is an excellent prevention program that has shown to be effective at reducing substance use in young people. It is made up of 8 lessons targeting issues that impact substance use. They are:
1. Self-Esteem 2. Decision Making 3. Smoking Information 4. Advertising 5. Dealing with Stress 6. Communication 7. Social Skills and 8. Assertiveness. There is one lesson on each topic for each grade level. The lessons build on each other as students move from one grade to the next. Each lesson includes activities that promote critical thinking and application of the skills and information. More posts on the individual lesson topics will follow. We learned how to be safe, kind, and responsible at school.At Enterprise Elementary, we are working hard to to make our school a place where we can feel comfortable, enjoy learning, and make friends. There are many things we can do to make that happen, including being safe, kind, and responsible. First, we are safe. To be safe at school, we need to follow the rules. Most school rules, including playground rules, are put in place to prevent accidents. Second, we are kind. Being kind at school is important because it helps people feel good and make friends. Kindness at school includes things like using kind words, keeping our hands and feet to ourselves, respecting others' personal space, and including those who need a friend. Third, we are responsible. Being responsible at school means we do our work, take care of our things, clean up after ourselves, respect school supplies and property, and show expected behaviors. Our school uses "Wolf Pride" cards to recognize students for showing exceptional safe, kind, and responsible behaviors.
We learned about healthy hygiene habits. Personal hygiene is important for our physical and social health. If we keep ourselves neat and clean, we usually feel better about ourselves and it is easier to make friends. Good hygiene also helps prevent the spread of germs. Some important habits we can practice are: bathing or showering regularly, brushing our teeth, washing our hands, and using deodorant (for the older students).
We talked about how our interests can help us explore future career options.We each have unique interests and qualities. It is helpful to think about what those interests and qualities are, especially when we think about our futures. Many people find that choosing a career that is related to their interest and personal strengths helps them enjoy their work. The more we know about ourselves, the easier it will be for us to make smart career choices in the future.
We learned about positive and negative self talk.Our "Inner Critic" represents our negative thoughts (examples: "I will never learn to read," or "Nobody likes me.") This negative self talk can often make us feel down on ourselves. When we notice we are having negative thoughts, we can change them into positive thoughts (examples: "Reading is hard, but if I keep practicing, I will get it," or "It may take some time, but I will make new friends.") We call this using our "Inner Coach." Positive self talk helps us to feel better about ourselves, feel more motivated to work toward our goals, and have more confidence in social relationships. Just because we have a thought come into our mind doesn't mean it is true. We can challenge and change our negative thoughts into positive ones. The more we practice, the easier it becomes.
We learned about flexible and stuck thinking and some ways to be more flexible.Rock brain thinking means we are stuck in our own point of view, are not considering others, think we are always right, have to have things our way, are impatient, and are not willing to compromise or try new things. Superflex thinking means we are flexible, patient, considerate of others, creative problem solvers, willing to compromise, and willing try new things. We can learn to notice when we have stuck thinking and try one of the following strategies to be more flexible:
Say, "Oh well, maybe next time." Ask for help. Ask to take a break. Listen to other people's ideas. Brainstorm solutions to the problem. Think about the consequences before doing something. Think about how our actions may affect others. Be a good sport. By being Superflex thinkers, we can more easily deal with challenges and disappointments. |
AuthorSchool Counselor Intern Archives
May 2021
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