Early childhood social and emotional well-being is a child’s developing capacity to express and regulate emotions, form trusting relationships, explore, and learn- all in the cultural context of family and community.

The school counselor is an advocate for preschool children, collaborates with teachers, joins in free-play time, and presents formal lessons which are developmentally appropriate. Through these practices, the counselor can help to ensure preschool children are served in an age-appropriate manner. First and foremost, the school counselor advocates for developmentally appropriate programs. Second, the school counselor works together with preschool teachers. Teachers and the counselor can collaborate to provide a caring and emotion-friendly environment. The counselor can work with the teachers to establish themes such as feelings, friends, families, or problem-solving. Through this interaction, the counselor can use their skills to assist preschool children by providing feedback about social and relationship issues. Interacting with children during free-play time allows the counselor to observe children and provides an opportunity to teach in context.

It is quite possible that your child will be seen in my office at some time during the school year. These contacts with me are efforts to assist children to grow in various areas of development, especially in the social and emotional areas. Sometimes, the child only needs to talk or work on an issue in one or two meetings and occasionally, a child may need to come on a more regular basis. Since the counseling program is designed to be a positive approach of contact for your child, I may also contact you with ideas and strategies to assist with your child’s social and emotional growth. If a problem does exist that we feel warrants parent notification, you will be contacted directly.

I am the Anti-bullying specialist here at GTECC. My primary responsibility is educating your children on how to be a good friend, respect others’ differences, and assert themselves when faced with unkind treatment from others. If your child has an issue, please call or email me and describe the behavior so I can address it specifically. At this age, behaviors are either appropriate or inappropriate, but rarely fit the legal definition of bullying. If you have any concerns about inappropriate or unkind behavior, please free to call me and discuss the specific behavior that is causing the problem.

Parents should also feel free to contact me or the classroom teacher with any concerns that may affect your child’s adjustment to school (i.e., separation, divorce, death of a loved one-including pets). 

Appointments: Email