Moulton Elementary Counselor's Corner
by Tara Downs
November 02, 2009
Moulton Elementary
Counselor's Corner
Welcome to the Moulton Elementary Counselor’s Corner! I was an elementary teacher before I became a counselor, and I understand the importance of setting a good foundation in the early years. I am excited to work with the elementary teachers, you, and your child to help him/her grow socially, emotionally, and academically.
Raising Healthy, Independent Children
- Be willing to allow your child to become less dependent on parents and others. It's often hard to not do it for him/her!
- Do not over-protect. Allow your child to suffer natural consequences of his/her behavior unless it is dangerous to someone or something.
- Teach problem solving skills and allow your child (when possible) to make decisions and problem solve on his/her own. Let him/her know you have faith that the right choice will be made.
- Play games and teach your child to follow rules and to be a good loser as well as a winner.
- Provide opportunities for your child to play with others. Organized, supervised activities are often helpful.
- Help your child to expect the best of his/her environment and people, teaching him/her kindness, empathy, and understanding.
- Stress effort and not perfection for finished products. Encourage internalizing of positive self-esteem by saying, "Aren't you proud of yourself?" instead of "I'm proud of you!"
- Provide an environment that is as free as possible of extreme expectations, harsh criticism, anger, fussing, and fighting.
- Have set rules and expectations for your child and enforce them consistently, following through with consequences.
- Most importantly, ALWAYS let your child know you love him/her and are there any time he/she really needs you!
Parents are a child’s first and most important teachers...
Getting involved in your child’s education from early on is very important! I have provided links below on how you can get involved in your child’s education. You can also talk to your child’s teacher about ways to help him/her be successful in school.
Parent Involvement= Student Success
Learning Links for Kids
McGruff's Milstein Child Safety Center
To Contact Me:
Tara Downs
PO Drawer C
500 N. Pecan
Moulton, TX 77975
Phone: 361-596-4099
E-mail: tdowns@moultonisd.net
