Summer Street Counselor Corner

with Ms.Hunt

Happy April SSS!

April showers bring May flowers! It's hard to believe March is over and we have moved into April! In April and May, our third and fourth grade STARS will be taking MCAS. Your child may feel anxious about this test, and we want to assure you that this is normal! Validate your child's feelings, while reminding them that their teachers have been preparing them for this moment. Curious about more tips for test anxiety and all things SEL? Check out the information below!

Tips for Beating Test Anxiety

Tips for Beating Test Anxiety - Child Mind Institute

When athletes are called upon to perform in high-pressure situations many of them describe having peaked senses that they use to their advantage. They're able to quiet their minds, zone out the audience, and make the catch. Kids with test anxiety have the opposite reaction.

childmind.org

Everyone Belongs Read Aloud

Follow along as the two main characters get creative to make sure everyone feels included in the performance!

How Can We Help Kids with Self Regulation?

How Can We Help Kids With Self-Regulation? - Child Mind Institute

If you're a parent, chances are you've witnessed a tantrum or two in your day. We expect them in two-year-olds. But if your child reaches school age and meltdowns and outbursts are still frequent, it may be a sign that they have difficulty with emotional self-regulation.

childmind.org

How to Encourage Good Sleep Habits

Help your child learn and talk about their needs before the meltdown happens with this fun visual!

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Lynn Lyons Podcast on Raising Problem Solvers

Lynn Lyons is an international speaker and psychotherapist based in Concord, New Hampshire who helps children and families manage anxiety disorders. In this podcast, Lynn discusses how to raise your child to be a problem solver. Lynn highlights the importance of parents allowing kids to "practice creating solutions and not fixing things for them."

Podcast Link

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Sensory Tool DIY - Weighted Lap Belt

Pressure and weight can help kids calm their bodies when feeling overstimulated. Get out an old sock or find a fun patterned sock at the store. This is a fun and inexpensive way to make your very own weighted sensory tool at home!

Directions

Helping Kids Make Decisions

Helping Kids Make Decisions - Child Mind Institute

From a toddler choosing what toy to play with to a high school senior selecting a college, children of all ages must make decisions. While some decisions might seem easy to an adult, they could require skills a child may not have developed. And as kids get older, the decisions become more important, and more complicated.

childmind.org

Mindfulness Apps & Podcasts

Mind Yeti Podcast for Kids

Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame

Calm

Headspace

Insight Timer

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I'm on Twitter!

Ms.Hunt is on Twitter. Follow my page for SEL updates, articles, and other helpful tips throughout the school year! @MsHuntSSS

Parent Resources

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Adjustment Counselor Website

Looking for more resources? Check out the Adjustment Counselor website for SEL information, resources, and more!

Adjustment Counselor Website

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William James College Interface Referral Service

The Interface referral service is a mental health and wellness referral help line. Callers from Lynnfield are matched with licensed mental health providers from their database within an approximate two week period of time and are matched by location, insurance and specialty needs of the caller.

The number to reach is 888-244-6843 and they can be reached Monday-Friday from 9-5.

https://interface.williamjames.edu/

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A Healthy Lynnfield Mental Health Resource List

We are including this comprehensive list as it is a great resource for mental health resources in our area.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-xLJDUNz7g-oD6e-3Rmclvw75nmSWzQJ/view

Therapy Matcher

"Therapy Matcher provides free, personalized, and confidential referrals to licensed social workers across Massachusetts."

Hand Hold MA

"You might be noticing your child is struggling in new ways, or that old problems are getting worse. We’ve curated a collection of resources that you can try at home today and organizations that we know can help."