Highland Elementary
Counseling Services
School-Wide Programs
The Kelso's Choice program teaches students about conflict resolution. Students learn how to choose from 9 different strategies to solve "small" or "minor" problems. Students also learn about "big" or "serious" problems. These kinds of problems always require the assistance of an adult the student trusts, as they involve a concern for someone's safety. Likewise, if a student has tried two of the strategies on Kelso's "wheel", and the problem is still not solved, students are encouraged to ask an adult for help. Kelso's Choice prepares students to become competent, independent problem solvers.
The Zones of Regulation
​
The Zones of Regulation is a curriculum geared toward helping students gain skills in consciously regulating their actions, which in turn leads to increased control and problem solving abilities. Using a cognitive behavior approach, the curriculum’s learning activities are designed to
help students recognize when they are in
different states called “zones,” with each of four zones represented by a different color. In the activities, students also learn how to use strategies or tools to stay in a zone or move from one to another. Students explore calming techniques, cognitive strategies, and sensory supports so they will have a toolbox of methods to use to move between zones. (explanation from socialthinking.com) All classes at Highland have been introduced to The Zones of Regulation.
Lessons
We’ve all said it, “Pay attention!” Or, “It’s okay, calm down.” But, I wonder, if we’ve taught our children how to do that? Are there steps a student can take to pay attention? How easy is it to calm down and can kids do it on their own? The practice of mindfulness teaches students how to be successful at those very behaviors we are expecting. Through the understanding of mindfulness, students also learn about neuroscience (how the brain works) and how those functions correlate with their thoughts, feelings and reactions.
Mindfulness means paying attention to the present moment, without judgment. It involves paying attention to one’s breath, body, thoughts and feelings. This is really powerful, because when kids are able to observe their own thoughts and feelings, they can make better choices about what to say and how to act. These kinds of mindful choices improve their decision-making skills, emotional regulation (anger management) and increase positive relationships with others.
Grades K-5 receive two Toolbox Lessons each month. These lessons are based on trauma research and meant to teach students coping strategies in response to past trauma and in preparation for future trauma. These coping tools include mindfulness education, resiliency skills, how to ask for help, empathy training, identifying locus of control and emotional regulation.