Counseling Connection

April 2025

I hope you all are enjoying this warmer weather as we gear up for the last couple months of the year! I feel like Spring is such a busy, but refreshing time. Getting outside can be such a mood booster for yourself and your children!

We are jumping right into our last unit in Guidance- problem solving. In all grades we will discuss common problem catalysts, problem solving choices, the steps to work through them, and how to continue on with our friendships/family relationships after a conflict.

We often refer to this poster below, as our problem solving STEPS:

Recently, in 5th grade we made "Anxiety Superheros" to help us think about the coping skills we would use if we were feeling anxious! Their "superpower" had to be a coping skill and their catchphrase had to be something positive student's could say to themselves.

2nd grade got crafty by creating "deep breathing wands" to help us take calming belly breaths when we are overwhelmed by a strong emotion!

• Pick a wildflower bouquet for your table- once the flowers bloom you can make some beautiful arrangements!
• Take it outside!- coloring, reading, board game, outdoor dinner. All can be done outside on a pretty day for added fun!
• Make homemade Super Bubbles and see who can blow the biggest one!
• Be creative and take turns writing a story together. Have one family member start the story with a couple of paragraphs and then another family member continues it and so on. It could turn out pretty funny!
• Do some spring cleaning together! This can help the family feel more organized and less stressed!

Through CASA, children who are victims of abuse or neglect get partnered up with a special advocate to assist them in finding a permanent placement home. These voluntary advocates are trained in working with the system to find a safe and caring environment and act as a voice for the child in need.

How special are those who take time out of their busy lives to make sure these sweet children have someone in their corner and a voice in their situation!

To learn more about CASA, donate to the organization, or sign up to be an advocate click the link below:

https://www.casawise.org/

This year at Young we are focusing being great humans by improving our manners and building our character traits!

In April, we are highlighting having patience, being empathic and humble, as well as finding resiliency.

Additionally, some manners we are encouraging are picking up after yourself, clearing your plate from the table, using your inside voice when indoors, and refraining from screaming outside-unless it is an emergency.

I OFTEN encourage reading with your child to parents because it has so many benefits! Not only does reading together improve your child's language development and vocabulary, but many children's books have an underlying social-emotional theme that can lead to fantastic discussions!

Below are some books that highlight some of the character traits and manners for April (many can be found at our local library!)

Patience:

• Croc Needs to Wait: A Book About Patience by Sue Graves
• Just Wait!: Children's Book about Patience, Emotions, and Big Feelings for Kids by Emily Hartmann
• A Little Spot of Patience: A Story About How to Enjoy Waiting by Diane Alber
• The Berenstain Bears: Patience, Please by Mike Berenstain

Empathy:

• You, Me, and Empathy by Jayneen Sanders
• The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
• The Buddy Bench by Patty Brozo
• Stand in my Shoes by Bob Sornson

Humble:

• King Hugo's Huge Ego by Chris Va Du
• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
• Humble Pie by Jennifer Donnelly

Resilient:

• Resilience by Jayneen Sanders
• I Can Do Hard Things by Gabi Garcia
• Tilda Tries Again by Tom Percival
• The Resilient Sloth by Charlotte Dane

Inside/Outside Voice:

• I Am Using My Inside Voice by Make Believe Ideas Ltd.
• Indoor Voice Outdoor Voice by Antonio Lynch
• Little Tiger is LOUD by Susan Hood

Courtney Cordova M.A

Counselor

Young Elementary

Email: courtney.cordova@decaturisd.us
Website: https://www.decaturisd.us/domain/551
Location: 379 Buchanan Road, Decatur, TX, USA
Phone: (940)-393-7446