Guidance Counseling and Parental Involvement :: essays papers

Guidance Counseling and Parental Involvement The mere(a) give lessons counseling and counsel program is part of the total school program and complements learning in the classroom. It is child-centered, preventive, and developmental. The program encourages students social, emotional, and personal growth at each stage of their development. The purpose of counseling with students, rises, and teachers is to help students maximize their potential. The principal(a) school direction also conducts guidance lessons consults with parents, teachers, and other professionals and coordinates student go in the school (Gartner, Larson, & Allen, 1995). Counseling and guidance programs provides elementary students with assistance in determineing self and developing a positive self-image, showing obedience for the feelings of others, understanding the decision-making process, developing effective study skills, being prepared to addle the transition to the intermediate school, and gaining an u nderstanding of the world of work (Finney & Maloney, 1985 McCullough, 1995 Paloma & Pendelton, 1991). Counseling is conducted with students and parents separately and in small groups when requested and determined appropriate. It is short-term, voluntary, and confidential. Parental permission is obtained prior(prenominal) to any extended individual or group counseling. Students are seen by the counselor-at-law when parents request and indicate a need and desire that the counselor meet with their children, students request counseling, and teachers, administrators, or other school staff attend the student. Parents are informed of counseling groups for children and adults. Group counseling sessions for children focus on building self-esteem, learning how to make or keep friends, developing candid study habits, improving communication skills, preparing for the intermediate school, and coping with changing family situations. Topics for parent groups include child-rearing concerns, ch ild development, and methods parents may use to help children experience powerful development and success in school (Aldridge, 1991 Friedman & Benson, 1997). The elementary school guidance counselor works with parents through individual consultation, joint consultation with the childrens teachers, and parents discussion groups. In these ways the counselor assist parents to understand their childrens progress in school, select strategies to motivate their children, develop realistic goals with their children, rick actively involved in their childrens school life, and understand the educational program K-12 (Byrd, 1988, p. 29). The counselor may lead parent education and discussion groups and serves as a resource when parents study or discuss child-related issues. The counselor consults with parents to identify students with special abilities and/or needs. In this capacity the counselor helps parents understand the services available from other school staff such as the school psych ologists, social worker, and resource teachers.