Counselor’s Corner: Responsibility

by Shanna Kraai, Lower School counselor

The theme this month is responsibility. We practice responsibility by remaining attuned to our own actions and words, knowing the expectations for the environment we are in and taking care of the space and the materials that are within it.  
We started off the month talking about responsibility in our Lower School Assembly with an emphasis on responsibility in three areas: for ourselves (behavior, words, kindness, personal space), for our resources (recycling paper, taking care of recess equipment, classroom materials), and for our spaces (classroom, fields, buildings, Sperling Cafeteria). In Assembly, children were asked to stand up or sit down based on the truth of the statements. All students stood up (truth) when the two phrases were read: I am responsible for the words that I speak. I am responsible for my actions.  

Children love to be responsible. At an early age, toddlers begin to use the phrases: “I can do it,”  “My turn,”  or “I do it myself.” They are seeking autonomy within their world and place value upon completing tasks independently. When children are able to complete a challenge without the support of adults, it builds their confidence and sense of self as a unique and capable individual. Mastering a task reinforces a positive message to children that “I can do this,” “I am capable,” and “My actions have value to the community and people around me.”  

Responsibility is an integral part of a community. Children are given responsibilities daily with their school materials, classroom jobs, etc. These responsibilities allow them not only to develop important life skills but also to recognize the value their actions place within the school classroom community. During Social Emotional Learning time, we are continuing our discussion about the responsibility we have for our emotions:
  1. Breathing Tool: Touch thumbs and index fingers together in front of you as if holding a tape measure. Slowly pull hands apart while taking a breath. On exhale, bring hands slowly back together. Repeat three times.
  2. Quiet Safe Place Tool: Place your hands over your ears while bending head slightly forward, or go to the safe place, quiet corner, or chill out zone in the classroom. Close your eyes and go to a quiet place in your head.
  3. Listening Tool: I listen with my ears, eyes, and heart. I practice listening to my body to understand what I’m feeling. I practice listening to the teacher as a community member.
Please consider picking up one of these books with the theme of responsibility from the Hassenfeld Library to continue the conversation about responsibility.    

Another way that we build this skill at home is by giving our children household responsibilities. The home is another environment where you live in community on a daily basis. A community feels best when all people contribute to its care. Why not teach your child responsibilities through the use of age-appropriate chores?
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