1/27/26

Counselor’s Corner

What We’ve Been Working On

Over the past several weeks, students across grades K–5 have been building important social-emotional skills during our counseling lessons.

In grades K–3, our focus has been on the Second Step curriculum, where students are learning how to recognize feelings, calm their bodies, and solve problems. Primary students have been practicing a variety of calm-down tools and learning that when emotions run high, the brain’s “alarm system” (the amygdala!) takes over, making it hard to think clearly or solve problems. Because of this, we emphasize that the first step is always calming down. Many students can even sing our catchy reminder:
“Stop, name your feeling, take a belly breath… and you calm right down!” 🎶
Once calm, students practice simple, age-appropriate steps to problem-solve and ask for help when needed.

Problem-Solving Steps

1. Stop
   Calm your body and brain first. (Belly breaths, counting, calm-down tools.)
    

2. Say the Problem, without blame

 What is happening? What do you want or need?

1. Think of Solutions
   Come up with safe and respectful ideas.
    

2. Explore Consequences
   What might happen if you try each solution?
    

3. Pick the Best Solution
   Choose one that is safe, fair, and helps everyone.
    

In grades 4–5, we’ve been spending time exploring the Let Grow program, which focuses on building independence, confidence, and resilience. Students have had thoughtful conversations about comfort zones and stretch zones, and how feelings of anxiety often show up when we try new or challenging things. Students are currently planning their first Let Grow independence project, which they will complete and then reflect on before the February vacation. We’ve been especially focused on helping students notice what they learn about themselves when they try something just outside their comfort zone.

Looking ahead, we are excited for our annual Unity, Kindness, and Spirit Week, taking place the week of February 16th. This week is a special opportunity for our school community to celebrate connection, kindness, and belonging. Details around Unity Week are below. 

As always, it’s a joy to watch students practice these skills, use the language of emotions, and support one another. Thank you for partnering with us as we help students grow socially, emotionally, and independently.

Try This at Home 

• When your child is upset, try naming the feeling out loud before jumping to solutions: “It looks like you’re feeling frustrated.” This helps calm the brain so problem-solving can happen.
   

• Practice a belly breath together (hand on belly, slow breath in through the nose, slow breath out through the mouth).
   

• For older students, ask: “Was that in your comfort zone or your stretch zone?” and celebrate the effort, not just the outcome.
   

• Remember: independence grows best with small, safe opportunities to try, make mistakes, and try again.

Children’s book for emotion management: 

• The Boy with Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee

• Ahn’s Anger by Gail Silver

• When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang

One More Parenting Resource:

Podcast Recommendation: Flusterclux With Lynn Lyons: For Parents Who Worry – Recent Episode: "Giving Yourself Permission To Let Your Kids Feel Uncomfortable” (Jan 23, 2026)

This episode offers thoughtful guidance on helping children navigate big emotions, such as frustration and disappointment, in healthy ways. It’s a great listen for parents looking for practical strategies that support emotional resilience and readiness for learning.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out for support, or just to say hi!

All the best, 

Counselor Marisa