Small-Group School Counseling Activities
Small-group activities are an economical solution for schools that face budget issues. They are also useful to counselors exploring the benefits of group dynamics in a school setting. School counselor Kimberly Ministeri says gaining new skills in a small-group setting prevents future problems, builds self-self awareness and provides a forum for students to learn how to help each other. Basing counseling activities on common therapeutic goals enhance the structure of small counseling groups.
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Anger Management
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Activities addressing angry feelings help students learn how to manage and express them appropriately. So placing a small group's focus on gaining self-control and reducing frustration can prevent future behavioral problems. Your students will gain peer support on anger-invoking topics.
Tardiness Reduction
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Small groups of students demonstrating trouble with tardiness can share concentration, motivation and prioritizing activities. Joining students together for the sake of overcoming tardiness can inspire arriving to school on-time. Group-oriented encouragement may rival the effectiveness of addressing these matters on a one-to-one basis, depending on your activity design.
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Family Change
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In the context of a small group, students learn they are "not the only kid" with separated or divorced parents. Ministeri says family change activities stimulate discussions that can help students cope and become comfortable with the subject of divorce. Activity design based on common experiences can also console students as they grow more comfortable within their group.
Friendship Groups
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One of the most exciting benefits of small-group school counseling activities is their ability to inspire new friendships. Small-group settings are ideal for social-skill expanding exercises. Role-modeling activities in small groups can teach students how to initiate new friendships, too.
School Success
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Small-group sessions can helps students build strong academic foundations. Ministeri bases her activities on the specific needs of a school success group. For example, activities that cultivate time efficiency, study skills, organization, good attitudes, focus and listening skills supply students with school performance-enhancing skills. Leading school success activities in small groups gives students an opportunity to refine their academic skills in a time-effective way.
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References
- Photo Credit Kinderhände image by Fenvarien from Fotolia.com
