Cate's Counseling Corner

 All of our feels Each of us, even if we do not like to admit it, have big big feelings. No matter our size or age, we all have feelings. For our ELC kids, we are working on identifying those big big feelings. Developmentally, younger children act out, scream, tantrum, yell, have behavioral issues because they are trying to let us know that something in their world is not right. This is why it is so important to teach kids feelings, emotions, how those emotions pop up and ways to handle emotions.   One way you can do this is by making a feelings wheel! This is a simple thing where your child can turn the arrow until it is on the feeling face that they feel.  Mrs. Cates Feeling Wheel You can use this activity with your own little so they can start to share how they are feeling. This is the start of the conversation about feelings. You can use this on kids of all ages (even us big kids)!

 Technology and friendships I feel like this is a HOT topic. So many things are coming out in the media, in conversation, in the world about technology and the impacts that technology has on friendships (good and bad). I created this presentation for our Middle School Launch class to start the conversation regarding technology.  Technology and Friendships It was a resounding YES when I asked if technology was good for friendships but when we broke it down, there was a lot of conversations about the benefits of technology- like staying in touch with long distance friends- and the disadvantages- the negative impact of group chats.  It may also be good to have a social media check in. Here is my version of a social media check in- Social Media Check In Let's start the conversations, continue the conversations and lean into what our kids are wanting us to understand and know. 

 How to have tough conversations In the Middle School Launch class we have been talking about how to have tough conversations. This seams to be a frequent topic with friends, relationships, teachers, siblings, and parents. At Heritage, we want to equipt our students to be able to advocate for themselves but also help them learn how to have the tough conversations with respect and kindness. Check out the most recent presentation about how to have tough conversations.  How to have tough conversations