Counselor’s Corner

How to Defeat Worry Wall!

This week students took on “Worry Wall” as we read and discussed the story; Wilma Jean the Worry Machine written by Julia Cook and illustrated by Anita DuFalla.  Students learned to identify what they could and could not control within their lives.  For those situations students could control, they came up with a plan to deal with the issue.  For example, one cannot control the weather, but students can listen to the weather report and dress appropriately for the day.  For those things we could not control, we placed them in our “Worry Hat” and focused on issues we could solve.

Here are some excellent sites to help your child control his/her own “Worry Wall.”

http://lemonlimeadventures.com/what-to-say-to-calm-an-anxious-child/

http://www.parents.com/health/mental/anxiety-disorders-in-children/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniel-b-peters-phd/6-healthy-habits-to-teach-kids-who-worry-too-much_b_4531475.html

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/the_kids/2016/03/how_to_help_a_child_who_worries_too_much.html

https://www.empoweringparents.com/article/how-to-stop-worrying-and-avoid-helicopter-parenting-dont-do-these-6-things/

Sara Le Blanc, Elementary School Counselor, MPCSD