Mental Health Education

12 Thanksgiving Gratitude Crafts for Kids (Classroom & Counseling Ideas)

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Why Gratitude Crafts Matter Around Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is more than just turkey and pumpkin pie — it’s a season built around gratitude. For kids, it’s a perfect time to practice noticing the good in their lives and expressing thankfulness in creative ways. In classrooms and counseling spaces, gratitude crafts combine creativity with social-emotional learning (SEL). […]

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15 Halloween SEL Activities for Classrooms & Counseling Spaces

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Turning Halloween Energy Into Learning Moments Halloween is one of the most exciting days of the school year — but it can also be one of the most chaotic. Costumes, candy, and spooky fun bring out extra energy in kids, which can sometimes overwhelm classrooms or counseling sessions. Instead of fighting the excitement, why not

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Autumn Emotion Regulation Games for Kids – Playful Paths to Calm & Coping

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September is what my school-psychologist friend calls “the great emotional reset.” New classroom, new routines, and big fall feelings swirl like leaves in the wind. That’s why I keep a box of emotion regulation games next to the art supplies every autumn. These playful activities help kids name, tame and reframe their feelings while soaking

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Autumn Classroom Activities for Kids – Fun, Engaging & Unforgettable Ideas for School Adventures

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The crunch of leaves under sneakers, the smell of sharpened pencils and cinnamon—autumn is storybook-perfect for learning. Last summer, our “camp activities” post went viral on Pinterest; this year we’re bringing that same magic into the schoolyard with fresh autumn classroom activities that fuse play, academics and seasonal wonder. From STEM leaf labs to kindness-pumpkin

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Calm Down Kit: How to Build a Portable Peace-Maker Students Will Actually Use

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I still remember the day Mateo melted down in the hallway. His art project had torn, and the calm-down corner was four doors away. My pockets were empty, my heart racing. That afternoon I vowed never to get caught without a calm down kit again. Since then I’ve carried a lunch-pail-sized box stuffed with simple

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Feelings Check In: A Gentle, Data-Smart Routine for Busy Counselors & Teachers

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Every morning I slip into Mrs. Cruz’s fourth-grade classroom and watch her students “park” tiny race-car magnets on a foam-board mood lot. A shy hand pulls into Nervous; another settles in Sleepy. The whole ritual takes three minutes, yet discipline referrals from that room dropped 40 percent in one semester (building data, 2025). Daily feelings

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Coping Skills Activities: A Friendly Guide for K-8 Counselors & Teachers

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Last Tuesday, I watched a second-grader named Lila melt down because her pencil broke. One snap, one tear, and suddenly the room buzzed with panic. The teacher caught my eye—a silent SOS we both know too well. I knelt beside Lila, guided her through “5-4-3-2-1,” and two minutes later she was steady enough to ask

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First-Week SEL Icebreakers That Double as Counselor Meet-&-Greets

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A quick hello from the counselor’s chair 🎙️ By 9 a.m. on Day 1 I’ve already speed-walked two hallways, high-fived 30 third-graders, and taped my lanyard back together (again). The new-year buzz is electric—but so are the student nerves. Over the years I’ve learned that the fastest way to lower the collective cortisol is to

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Back-to-School Calm Corners: 7 Budget Decor Hacks Counselors & Teachers Swear By

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Is it weird that my counselor toolkit contains both Kleenex for tears and sneakers for hallway sprints? Because during that whirlwind first week of school I’m ping-ponging between classrooms, greeting 400 new faces—and fielding 87 “Can I talk to you?” notes before lunch. By Day 3 even I, the resident Zen-master, crave a reset button.

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Summer Self-Care: 10 Gentle Ways for Women 55+ to Nurture Their Mind & Body

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Summer is a time of vibrant energy, warmth, and abundant daylight. However, for women aged 55-65, it can bring unique challenges such as increased heat sensitivity, disrupted routines, and heightened family or social responsibilities. Prioritizing intentional self-care is essential—not only for physical health but also for emotional and mental wellness. Here’s how you can gently nurture yourself this summer, backed by science and actionable advice.

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