School Counseling at CCE

When I was a child, my parents had a simple but clever way of teaching me gratitude. Every

evening before dinner, my mother would place three small stones in front of me and say, “Tell

me three things these stones could remind you to be thankful for today.” Some days I’d grumble

and say, “Nothing!” But she’d wait patiently until I thought of a friend who shared their crayons,

the warm sun after rain, or even my favorite cartoon after homework. Over time, those little

stones became tiny anchors for noticing joy, even on the hardest of days.

Looking back, I realize my parents weren’t trying to make me polite; they helped me build

perspective. Gratitude didn’t erase problems, but it helped me see that goodness and kindness

were always there, even if they were quiet, if I took the time to notice. That small ritual shaped

how I see the world today, especially when life feels fast or overwhelming.

As parents, we can give our children the same gift in our own ways, by slowing down and

helping them name what went right, what felt good, or who showed up for them. It doesn’t have

to be elaborate; gratitude grows in the smallest moments, a laugh at the dinner table, a hug before

school, a shared inside joke.

When kids learn to find something to appreciate each day, they begin to see life not just through

what’s missing but through what’s already good. Gratitude becomes a quiet strength, helping

them face challenges with hope and connect more deeply with the world around them.

Supporting Your Child’s Emotion Regulation and Executive Function Skills for Academic Success. Hosted by the CCE Mental Health Team

🕐

When: January 14, 2026. 5:00-6:00pm

Where: CCE Library
Who: K–6 parents

🎯 Purpose

To help parents understand how emotion regulation and executive functioning skills impact learning and to provide practical strategies for supporting their child’s focus, motivation, and persistence with schoolwork.

When I talk with students about their lives, one topic almost always comes up: social media. For

many of them, it’s not just an app on their phone; it’s a part of who they are and how they

connect with others. I often think back to my own teenage years when friendship meant passing

notes or calling from the family landline. Today’s teens are growing up in a world where

friendships, feedback, and even self-worth can be shaped by what happens online. As a school

counselor, I’ve seen both the creativity and connection social media can offer, and the challenges

it can bring when those digital spaces become overwhelming.

Research shows that social media use among adolescents is deeply intertwined with their

emotional well-being. Studies from the Pew Research Center (2022) indicate that while many

teens feel social media helps them express themselves and stay connected, a significant number

also report feeling pressure to appear perfect or gain approval through likes and comments.

Similarly, research from the American Psychological Association (APA, 2023) highlights that

frequent social media use, especially without balance, can increase symptoms of anxiety,

loneliness, and disrupted sleep. These effects are not about “bad kids using bad technology,” but

rather about developing brains trying to manage constant input and comparison in an always-on

world.

At school, I notice how easily online stress spills into the classroom, students worrying about

group chats, posts, or being left out of digital conversations. The good news is that small, steady

conversations at home can make a big difference. Encourage your child to reflect on how certain

online spaces make them feel, energized or drained, connected or excluded. Model your own

digital balance by taking breaks from screens or creating tech-free family time. These small steps

show that technology should serve us, not consume us.

As parents and educators, we share the same goal: helping our kids develop a healthy sense of

self, both online and offline. Social media isn’t going away, but with our guidance, children can

learn to use it mindfully and confidently. The key is not to remove them from the digital world

but to help them navigate it with awareness, empathy, and balance.

References

American Psychological Association. (2023). Social media and youth mental health: The U.S.

Surgeon General’s advisory.

Pew Research Center. (2022). Teens, Social Media, and Technology 2022.

Collective action works — and it’s happening fast:

• States are adopting phone-free school policies.
• Parents are banding together to delay smartphones and social media.
• Kids are playing outside again and rediscovering real friendships.
• Teachers are reporting calmer classrooms, deeper attention, and actual conversations at the lunch table.
• And Gen Z is taking charge — speaking openly about what’s broken and how to fix it.

This is the start of “the amazing generation.”

Author of "The Anxious Generation", Jonathan Haidt has written a book just for students: The Amazing Generation Perfect for kids and tweens — whether or not they already have smartphones or social media. It's packed with surprising facts, a graphic novel, interactive challenges, secrets that tech leaders don’t want kids to know, and real-life stories from young adults.

You can preorder now and download a free 27-page preview that includes family discussion prompts you can use in your homes today!

Adaptability is about being wiling to try again when you make a mistake or finding new ways to solve a problem. This is the next Wayfinder core skill that students will be exploring. Building this growth mindset muscle is an important part of academic and life success.

Parents can build adaptability in children at home by fostering independence through problem-solving, creating flexible routines, and encouraging creativity. Other strategies include introducing new experiences, modeling flexibility, and using games and creative outlets to help children cope with change. Here's what this could look like:

• Encourage independence: Let children try to solve problems on their own before intervening and praise their effort when they show initiative.
• Create a flexible routine: While routines are helpful, build in wiggle room for when plans change. Let them know the preview of the day and give countdowns for transitions.
• Practice minor changes: Introduce small, consistent changes to build tolerance, like switching who sits where at dinner or taking a different route to school.
• Model adaptability: Show your child how you react to changes in plans. Talk through the situation and brainstorm new solutions instead of having a meltdown.
• Introduce new experiences: Expose your child to new environments, activities, and perspectives to strengthen their adaptability muscle.

• Play games with changing rules: Modify games like tag or board games so children have to adjust as they go.
• Encourage creative outlets: Provide opportunities for drawing, storytelling, or music to help children process emotions related to change and stress.
• Role-play scenarios: Simulate unexpected changes through role-playing to allow children to practice adapting in a fun, low-stakes environment.

• Teaching relational and critical thinking skills

• Weekly lessons led by classroom teachers

• Monthly, building-wide themes and activities

• Connect classroom learning to the future-ready skills needed to succeed in the real world

Debbie Edwards, School Counselor (K-3) dedwards2@dcsdk12.org

Sophie Atwood, School Counselor (4-6) satwood1@dcsdk12.org