These topics represent personal and social issues that frequently become problematic for elementary-age children, as identified by school and mental health counselors. In small groups, children master important affective and behavioral competencies associated with eight topic areas: (1) Peace Begins With Me: Peacemaking Skills (2) I'm Somebody Special: Building Self-Esteem (3) Friends: Getting Along With Others (4) KIDS: Kids in Divorce Stress (5) Grieving and Growing: Learning From Losses (6) I CAN Kids: Control Anger Now! (7) I'm Responsible and (8) Good Citizen's Club. Children need not have had previous counseling experience to benefit.
The sessions are presented sequentially within each agenda so that basic information and skills are presented before exposure to more advanced ideas. Although each topic stands alone, children can benefit from more than one topical group experience. The group agendas have been developed with children from grades 2-5 in mind. This book can help counselors in the school or mental health setting create meaningful group experiences for children who, for whatever reason, are behind in social and life skill development.
