More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
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As a school counselor, there are many times where I have a student come into my office worried or scared about what is currently going on in their lives. That worry or fear stays with them throughout the day making it hard to focus on simple tasks within their classroom. I see my students' social and emotional well-being struggle and have learned that one way they are able to focus on the here and now, is through art and creation.
Through art therapy and creative actions, they are able to find control and comfort when life is out of control and uncomfortable for them. Through their use of creativity, students are able to work on ASCA's standards related to Personal and Social Development, in particular B1.4, C1.10 and C1.11. Older students have voiced an interest in is the creation of beaded bracelets. The creativity and repetitiveness needed to complete this task allow them to slow the negative thoughts and feel successful and emotionally in control when they finish a project. Additionally, the younger students find the use of kinetic sand and Lego building to be calming and helpful to appropriately express what is affecting their social and emotional well-being when they enter my office. Art and creativity give all the students who enter my office an ability to be in control of one small thing that they feel is for them.
The creative process allows them to focus on other things than worries and be open to discussion about what has been hindering them. As they create and talk with me, they are able to cope and be able to re-enter their classroom without the worry of the past or the future.
About my class
As a school counselor, there are many times where I have a student come into my office worried or scared about what is currently going on in their lives. That worry or fear stays with them throughout the day making it hard to focus on simple tasks within their classroom. I see my students' social and emotional well-being struggle and have learned that one way they are able to focus on the here and now, is through art and creation.
Through art therapy and creative actions, they are able to find control and comfort when life is out of control and uncomfortable for them. Through their use of creativity, students are able to work on ASCA's standards related to Personal and Social Development, in particular B1.4, C1.10 and C1.11. Older students have voiced an interest in is the creation of beaded bracelets. The creativity and repetitiveness needed to complete this task allow them to slow the negative thoughts and feel successful and emotionally in control when they finish a project. Additionally, the younger students find the use of kinetic sand and Lego building to be calming and helpful to appropriately express what is affecting their social and emotional well-being when they enter my office. Art and creativity give all the students who enter my office an ability to be in control of one small thing that they feel is for them.
The creative process allows them to focus on other things than worries and be open to discussion about what has been hindering them. As they create and talk with me, they are able to cope and be able to re-enter their classroom without the worry of the past or the future.