Counselor's Corner
Locke Hill Elementary - March Edition
CREST Award Winners
Positive Affirmations
Building Confidence in Kids
It can be really hard to watch your child question themselves. As a parent there are things you can do to help your child build up that confidence in themselves. Start by modeling confidence in yourself. Kids emulate their parents a lot and seeing you tackle new things with confidence sets a good example for your kiddos. Always appreciate their efforts and encourage them never to give up when they lose. Confidence is about continuing to try even when it gets hard. Allow them to fail and let them feel the feelings and learn from the mistakes. Lastly, encourage them to try new things and increase responsibilities that need to be met.
Resource: Mallory Striesfeld, LPC.
Coping Skills
Kids experience a vast array of feelings, just as adults do. They can feel bored, anxious, sad, disappointed, embarrassed, and scared—to name a few. While most of us experience any number of emotions from day to day, we are not necessarily taught how to deal with them or how to cope.
Kids need to learn skills to manage their emotions in a healthy way. It’s important to teach them coping skills that can help them face their fears, calm themselves down, and cheer themselves up.
Resource: https://www.verywellfamily.com/coping-skills-for-kids-4586871
5, 4, 3, 2, 1 GROUNDING TECHNIQUE
HOW TO DO IT:
This technique will take you through your five senses to help remind you of the present. This is a calming technique that can help you get through tough or stressful situations.
Take a deep belly breath to begin.
5 - LOOK: Look around for 5 things that you can see, and say them out loud. For example, you could say, I see the computer, I see the cup, I see the picture frame.
4 - FEEL: Pay attention to your body and think of 4 things that you can feel, and say them out loud. For example, you could say, I feel my feet warm in my socks, I feel the hair on the back of my neck, or I feel the pillow I am sitting on.
3 - LISTEN: Listen for 3 sounds. It could be the sound of traffic outside, the sound of typing or the sound of your tummy rumbling. Say the three things out loud.
2 - SMELL: Say two things you can smell. If you’re allowed to, it’s okay to move to another spot and sniff something. If you can’t smell anything at the moment or you can’t move, then name your 2 favorite smells.
1 - TASTE: Say one thing you can taste. It may be the toothpaste from brushing your teeth, or a mint from after lunch. If you can’t taste anything, then say your favorite thing to taste.
Take another deep belly breath to end.
SEL Book Recommendations
Nobody Hugs a Cactus by Carter Goodrich
Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
The Bad Seed by Jory John
Upcoming Events
Resources
Mrs. Lopez's Contact Information
Email: Lindsey.Lopez@nisd.net
Website: https://www.instagram.com/txcounselor_lopez/
Location: 5050 De Zavala Road, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: (210) 397-1625
Twitter: @lopez_counselor
Mrs. Solis' Contact Information
Email: Yvette.Solis@nisd.net
Location: 5050 De Zavala Road, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 210-397-1626
Twitter: @counselor_solis