Small groups are a great way for multiple students with similar needs to help one another learn skills such as coping with everyday problems, listening in the classroom, or calming down in anxiety-provoking situations. I am able to reach more students at one time and the students can practice social skills and relationship building while simultaneously working on other useful skills. Groups can also be a way for students to bond over similar life experiences such as divorce/changing families or loss.

Most of my groups will take place over the lunch period, but may occur during other times of the day based on student need and classroom schedules.

Here is a list of potential groups that I will be running this year. Please note that the groups are scheduled based on the demand of each group. If not enough students are signed up, the group may not occur until the next school year.

If you would like your child to participate in any of these groups, please contact me and we can further discuss your concerns and your child's needs!

 Group Topics:

• Stress-Busters: For students who have heightened levels of anxiety about coming to school, new experiences, tests, the weather, etc.
• Super Self: For students who would benefit from social skills practice or an increase in self-esteem.
• Changing Families: For students who have had a recent change in guardianship (Parent separation/divorce, incarceration)
• Grief: For students who have lost someone close to them and are having a hard time coping with it or would like to talk about it.
• Coping Skills: For students who have a difficult time controlling their emotions when they become upset or frustrated.
• Military Families: For students who have a parent or close family member in the military with frequent or extended deployments.

Information from Groups

Stressbusters

Week 1- Define a worry, draw a picture and discuss at least one worry

Week 2- Compare worries to plants. Worries grow when we give them our attention. Students give examples of positive thoughts.

Week 3- Discuss adults we can talk to and activities we can do to take our mind off of worries.

Week 4- Relaxation techniques: Lemon squeeze, belly breathing, balloon breathing, birthday candle breathing

Week 5- Review skills

*** Lemon sqeeze: Pretend you are making lemonade using fists. Squeeze for 10 second, relax, repeat. You can do this for any body part. Balloon breathing: Pretend you are blowing up a balloon and breathe out as slowly as possible. Birthday Candle Breathing: Put up all 5 fingers. Blow them out like candles.

Coping Skills

Week 1- Define anger. Draw a picture of the physical signs of anger.

Week 2- Read first half of Soda Pop Head by Julia Cook or watch a video. We discuss what makes us angry and who controls our anger (We Do!!)

Week 3- Read second half of Soda Pop Head or play coping skill game. Discuss the strategies used in the book and other strategies. 

Week 4- Practice relaxation techniques: Lemon squeeze, belly breathing, balloon breathing, birthday candle breathing

Week 5- Review skills

*** Lemon sqeeze: Pretend you are making lemonade using fists. Squeeze for 10 second, relax, repeat. You can do this for any body part. Balloon breathing: Pretend you are blowing up a balloon and breathe out as slowly as possible. Birthday Candle Breathing: Put up all 5 fingers. Blow them out like candles. Other coping skills: Walk away, talk to an adult, go to a quiet place, talk to a friend, drink water, read a book, do a fun activity, think positive thoughts.

Super Self

Week 1- Define who we are as a group through positive characteristics and a group name.

Week 2- Elaborate on what makes each of us special.

Week 3- Read a book and talk about what makes a good friend. Book: Dneirf by Mike Resh

Week 4- Discuss conflict and conflict resolution.

Week 5- Wrap it up with a self-esteem and relationship-building board game.

Military Family

Unlike other groups, this group will not meet consecutive weeks. It will meet once a month for the duration of the school year.