Counselor Corner
Ms. Cameron's Newsletter Quarter 2
Hello Chatfield Families!
As students have adjusted and feel more comfortable with being back at school, I've noticed they still walk through the door in the mornings with a smile and seem genuinely excited. Please remember that I am here to support all kids, whether it's during times of crisis, significant life changes, or everyday stress. Contact me in whatever way is easiest for you - info included below.
Ms. Cameron: Mindfulness
Students learned about mindfulness, what it is, how it benefits our health, and how to practice it.
https://www.loom.com/share/0cc1a90bde6b47c498d197d6d7cca086
What is Mindfulness Anyway?
Lesson 3 (K-1st Grade):
Students watched a video about mindfulness and how it helps kids focus more in school and have better connections with their relationships.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqoBX_mN6JA&list=PLiaUKiwbiHMQDQLCXoPaMMYotldKlUQCw&index=3Cosmic Kids Zen Den
Lesson 3 (2nd - 5th Grade):
Kids watched a video and practiced mindfulness right in their classrooms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rp5bpFIUpgPracticing Mindfulness
- Pay attention better
- Be less distracted
- Learn more
- Stay calm under stress
- Avoid getting too upset about things
- Slow down instead of rush
- Listen better to others
- Be more patient
- Get along better
- Feel happier and enjoy things more
How Do I Get Started?
Anyone can practice mindfulness. It's easy to do, and it just takes a few minutes a day.
Here are the basic steps:
- Sit in a relaxed, comfortable position. Pick something to focus your attention on, like a word you repeat in your head or your breathing.
- Let's say you decided to focus on your breathing. Breathe normally while you simply pay attention to your breath. If you want, you can close your eyes. As you breathe in and out, just notice each breath. Pay attention in an easy way — on purpose, but not forced.
- Notice when your mind wanders away from paying attention to your breath. Maybe you start thinking about what's for lunch, or whether you remembered to bring your soccer gear, or that funny joke someone told at recess. That's your mind wandering and getting distracted. It's natural, minds do that all the time!
- Whenever you notice your attention has wandered, gently remind yourself to pay attention to breathing again. That's how you train your attention.
- Keep breathing, keep relaxing, keep paying easy attention to your breathing. Can you feel the place where the air tickles your nostrils? Do you notice how the breath gently moves your body? Can you pay attention to your belly or your chest moving as you breathe? Keep bringing your attention back to the breathing every time your mind wanders. Try to do this for 5 minutes.
*Resource taken from https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/mindfulness.html
Did You Know?
Donations for Chatfield Families
Counseling Lessons
*Reminder: all lesson videos are uploaded on the school counseling website.
Completed:
Lesson 1: Intro to the School Counselor (What Does a School Counselor Do Anyway?)
Lesson 2: Big Feelings and Positive Coping Skills
Lesson 3: Mindfulness
Lesson 4: The Brain
Coming Up Soon:
Lesson 5: Not Yet is OK! (Growth Mindset)
Lesson 6: Determination and Grit
Lesson 7: Self-Talk
Lesson 8: Celebrate Diversity
Lessons 9-18: TBD (Personal Safety, Conflict Resolution, Problem-Solving Skills, Career-Readiness, Middle School Prep [5th grade])
Contact Me
Renee Cameron
Chatfield School Counselor
Email: renee.cameron@d51schools.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/d51schools.org/chatfieldelementary/home
Location: 3188 D 1/2 Road, Grand Junction, CO, USA
Phone: (970) 254-4930
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chatfieldelementaryschool