February 2020 - School Counseling Resources

Did you know February 3-7 is National School Counseling Week? This is a great time to recognize the work of school counselors throughout West Virginia and across the country. School counselors help our students in so many ways, so please join us in recognizing the important work they do each day.

Take a look at a few of the resources our Disability Resource Library has to offer and, as always, please feel free to reach out to Roger May, the Media Resource Specialist for the Center for Excellence in Disabilities, via email at roger.may@hsc.wvu.edu or by phone at 304-205-6434.

I Am NOT Going to School Today

By Robie H. Harris, Illustrated by Jan Ormerod

When a child gets ready for the first day of school, it feels very exciting. But doing something new for the first time can also feel somewhat scary. With great affection and humor, Robie H. Harris and Jan Ormerod, creators of the award-winning picture book Goodbye Mousie, tell the captivating story of a child who decides that skipping the very first day of school is a very good idea. But with help from his favorite stuffed animal, Hank, and his parents, he discovers that going to the very first day of school can be fun and exciting -- and once you have done something new, it's not quite so new and scary anymore.

Borrow I Am NOT Going to School Today from our library.

Disability Awareness Puppets

Everyone wants to play, learn, and have friends. The Disability Awareness Puppets help children understand that people with disabilities are much like they are. Life-size, endearing puppets deliver important messages of tolerance and inclusion. Each library location has a cast of six multicultural puppets that portray children with disabilities. Help dispel fears, myths, and misconceptions about persons with disabilities through the Disability Awareness Puppets and accompanying scripts. Available for loan as individual puppets or as a set. For information on scheduling a performance for your school or group, contact Roger May via email at roger.may@hsc.wvu.edu or by phone at 304-205-6434.

We're All Wonders

By R.J. Palacio

Auggie knows he's not an ordinary kid. Growing up as an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face in't easy, but Auggie is a wonder. Auggie and his sidekick, Daisy, use their imaginations to soar through their days together. They know it's not just Auggie who's different. Everyone is different and everyone is a wonder - if they could only see it. The author taps into every child's longing to be seen for who they truly are.

Borrow We're All Wonders from our library.

Parenting with Positive Behavior Support

By Meme Hieneman, Karen Childs, and Jane Sergay

Positive Behavior Support (PBS)--its already been highly effective in schools and community programs across the country, and it can transform family life, too. This is the practical guide parents need to bring PBS into the home. Developed by parents and professionals with extensive experience in PBS, this work introduces this creative problem-solving approach to behavior and translates the research behind PBS into concrete strategies every parent can understand and use. Parents will get easy-to-follow guidelines for identifying behaviors of concern, understanding the reasons behind the behaviors, and effectively intervening through three basic methods: preventing problems, replacing behavior, and managing consequences. A must-have resource for families and the professionals who support them.

Borrow Parenting with Positive Behavior Support from our library.

Children's Stress and Coping: A Family Perspective

By Elaine Shaw Sorensen

In spite of the increase in stress-coping research, little is known about how stress is actually perceived by children in the family setting. This is due in part to the real difficulties involved in collecting data on children's subjective experiences. In addition, what we currently know about children's stress and coping has traditionally derived from adult reporters, rather than from the children themselves.

The book's well-documented chapters discuss traditional approaches to stress and coping, implications for current child and family study, specific needs related to the study of children within the family, and implications for theory and methods. Taxonomies of children's stressors, coping responses, and coping resources are drawn from the data and examined in detail. The book concludes with suggestions for future research and clinical practice.

Borrow Children's Stress and Coping from our library.

Skillstreaming the Adolescent

By Arnold P. Goldstein and Ellen McGinnis

This book is for use with middle and high school students. It shows how to teach 50 prosocial skills such as expressing feelings, apologizing, setting a goal, starting a conversation, and responding to failure. Skills are divided into six areas: Beginning Social Skills, Advanced Social Skills, Dealing with Feelings, Alternatives to Aggression, Dealing with Stress, and Planning Skills.

Borrow Skillstreaming the Adolescent from our library.

A Child's Champion

This month's Child's Champion is the West Virginia School Counselor Association. WVSCA members are certified, licensed educators who improve student success for all of West Virginia's students by implementing comprehensive school counseling programs. Their work includes helping students apply academic achievement strategies, helping students manage their emotions and apply interpersonal skills, and plan for postsecondary options including higher education, military service, or the work force. Learn more about the West Virginia School Counselor Association here.

Do you know someone you'd like to nominate to be featured as a Child's Champion in our monthly newsletter? Please let us know! Contact Roger May, the Media Resource Specialist for the Center for Excellence in Disabilities, via email at roger.may@hsc.wvu.edu or by phone at 304-205-6434.