Elementary School Counseling
A Foundation for Lifelong Growth
As children move through the elementary school years, they are experiencing significant growth and development. They are developing friendship skills, emotional regulation, and academic success strategies.
At Minnehaha, our dedicated division counselor walks closely with families and teachers to help each child build key skills that will set a strong foundation for Middle School and beyond. Through classroom lessons, small groups, and individual support, children learn to navigate friendships, recognize and respond appropriately to emotions, and grow in resilience and belonging.
Minnehaha students learn through:
- Classroom social-emotional learning (SEL): In the Lower School, our classroom SEL is guided by PurposeFull People, part of the school-wide Character Strong curriculum.
- Small group sessions (typically 4-6 weeks)
- Individual support when students benefit from additional guidance
- Collaborative care with teachers and specialists: Strengths and needs are are reviewed with with teachers and specialists for optimal continuity of care and support
Building Strong Skills
The skills your child will learn are skills that will serve them through school and life. By the time they are ready to move on to Middle School, our goal is that each child is better able to:
- Regulate big emotions
- Navigate friendships and conflict
- Keep themselves and their schoolwork organized
- Be advocates for themselves and others
- Have trusted adults
- Feel that they belong
Developmentally-Appropriate Approach
Your child will build skills that last a lifetime at a pace that is tuned into where they are developmentally.
Kindergarten-Grade 2 Support
- Transitions and separation
- Whole body listening
- Developing strong routines
- Growing emotional vocabulary
- Helping parents understand developmentally appropriate behavior
Grade 3-5 Support
- Navigating friendship dynamics
- Managing unstructured time
- Growing independence
- Developing resilience and strategies
- Growing in emotional maturity
Parent Partnership
Parents are our partners in helping their child flourish at school. When a concern arises, the school counselor listens, collaborates with teachers, and develops practical supports for school and home. Our counselor welcomes calls or emails regarding any social or emotional concerns you may have with your child. She strives to provide responsive and timely follow-up.
We are here to help you:
- Explore ways to help your child experience success in the classroom
- Understand developmental changes in childhood
- Share practical tools for home on a variety of academic or mental health subjects
- Provide referrals to trusted community resources, including educational or psychological evaluations
Proactive & Thoughtful Support
Support at Minnehaha is proactive. Our counselor partners closely with teachers to keep a thoughtful pulse on how each child is experiencing school. Using a developmentally-appropriate strengths and needs screener and classroom observations, we are able to notice patterns early and provide support when helpful. These observations help us better understand what a child may be experiencing throughout the day.
Additionally, teachers meet with our Lower School counselor regularly to discuss student growth and well-being. Our goal is simple - to notice when a child may need extra help and respond thoughtfully in collaboration with families.
Faith & Counseling
As a faith-filled community, we believe that each child is made in the image of God, and is worthy of care and respect. Our school counselor strives to model forgiveness, reconciliation, and belonging in all of her interactions.
We invite children to let their light shine and grow in confidence and learn about their unique gifting. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - these are the fruits of the spirit - and we look to grow this type of action among each student and in our community.
Our approach to counseling and the way we relate to one another is guided by our foundation of Christian faith.
Over the years, students often return to check in, share good news, or simply say hello - this shows me that Minnehaha children feel known, comfortable, and supported." -Kat McGraw, Lower School Counselor
Growing in Identity and Character
Students have additional opportunities to practice empathy, responsibility, and healthy relationships in everyday school life. In the Core Specialist class, students build habits that strengthen community—serving others, caring for their classroom, and working together.
In fifth grade, students participate in the Minnehaha Leadership Institute, where they explore how empathy, collaboration, and character shape the way they lead and care for others.
