My puppets and I will spend time visiting your child’s classroom and will be sharing on a variety of topics. All of our lessons are presented in alignment with our Character Education program and/or along the guidelines of the Virginia Standards for School Counseling Programs.
Topics in First Round
- What Is a Feeling? - We will discuss what a feeling is and that all feelings
are okay. We will learn that people can feel differently about the same
things and that we must respect the feelings of others
- Angry Bodies - As a continuance of lesson #1, we will learn how anger
changes the way we feel and how to release anger in a healthy way, which
includes talking out our feelings
- Teamwork - Your child may tell you about Mrs. Van Sickler’s bunny factory…
We will look at what happens in the real world when “teammates” don’t
cooperate and do their job… and then view the story of “Swimmy” and see
how he uses the concept of teamwork to help solve friendship problems
- Listening Skills - We will learn why listening is an important part of everyday
learning as well as a vital part of conflict resolution- we will discuss ways to
improve our listening skills and review what to do if someone is distracting us
in the classroom while we are trying to learn
- Brainstorming - Is there more that one way to solve a problem? You bet! We
will define the word “brainstorming” and review how to use alternatives to
help find a solution to all kinds of problems. We will read the story “Christina Katerina and the Box”, which illustrates to us how a young girl
solves a bully problem by using her brainstorming.
Topics in Second Round
- Bad Days - We will discuss what to do when you’re having a “bad day”-
everyone has one now and then! We will read “Alexander and the
Terrible, Horrible No Good Very Bad Day” and brainstorm ways to solve
problems when things go wrong… we will do a mock “bad morning
preparing for school” and look at how many things could go wrong for all
of us.
- Responsibility - You will hear about a visit from Barney the sheepdog
(one of our largest puppets). We will be talking about the meaning of
the word “responsibility” and how it applies to taking care of pets and
helping around the house. Your child will make you a “job pocket” so that
they may begin to demonstrate to you the meaning of the word
responsibility.
- Growing Up - Our discussion will address how children “bloom” at all
different rates, and that we should be patient with our skills as we all
grow and develop. Emphasis is on “being yourself” and not comparing
yourself to others. We will watch a video entitled “Fish is Fish” by Leo
Lioni and see what happens as one friend becomes jealous of what
another is able to do.
- Emergency Situations - In this lesson we will discuss what to do when
you find yourself home alone, lost, or approached by a stranger. We will
offer the children an opportunity to use a “phone” to dial 911, and talk
about this very important number. We will also discuss what to do if
approached by someone who touches them in a way that makes them
feel uncomfortable. Please review with your children your own house
“emergency rules” and let them know how you would like them to
respond to emergency situations.
If you would like more information on any of the above topics, please don’t hesitate to contact me.