School Counselor's Welcome: Separation Anxiety and Helpful Tips

1. WELCOME Rowan Elementary School Kindergarten Visitation Day May 23, 2014

2. Introduction Who am I? My name is Lauren Smith, Rowan School Counselor I am getting married this summer and my new last name will be O’Donnell We are…Penn State and Let’s Go Dukes! First year with Seneca Valley Fun fact: I can be convinced by my family to do things out of my comfort zone. Within the past two years, I have been sky-diving, parasailing, and zip lining.

3. School Counselor Toolbox • Educational support groups • Classroom lessons • Individual check-in and connect • Crisis intervention • Mediating peer conflict • School-wide program implementation • Liaison among other educators, families, and community agencies

4. Separation Anxiety • Separation anxiety is normal. • Healthy attachment • Result of an irrational fear • Temporary • Provides opportunity for child’s growth and learning • “Parents create the environments and experiences in which learning happens, which makes them the first teachers their children will ever have.” ~ Dr. Rebecca Palacios, a Founding Director of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) • You are a “mirror” for emotions and reactions

5. Helpful Tips • Importance of routine and consistency • Visual schedule of morning routine • Rewards system • Therapeutic coping strategies • The “magic penny”

6. More Helpful Tips • Goodbyes • Short • Positive • Calm • Firm • Reassuring • Catch phrases- phrases you can use with your child upon drop-off • “I’m so proud of you!” “Off you go, love ya!” • Talk to the school staff about your concerns- teacher, counselor, secretaries, principals

7. “A smile from a child is packaged sunshine and rainbows.” ~Unknown