The Upper Primary Counseling Program focuses on developing student wellbeing and promoting proactive approaches to challenges. Counselors facilitate Social Emotional Learning (SEL) classes with all students on a regular basis. The SEL curriculum involves lessons affecting students’ academic, career, social and emotional development. This classroom work enables the counselor to know all of the children in the UP and helps students identify them as adults to whom they can go if they have challenges. Some of the topics of focus in class include:
- Self talk
- Multiple intelligences
- Self control
- Conflict resolution
- Assertiveness
- Transitions
- Acceptance of self and others
- Personal and social responsibility
- Communication skills
- Stress management
- Empathy and compassion
- Child Protection
- Cooperation
- Problem solving
- Dealing with anger
- Resilience
Counseling interventions may include short term individual and small group counseling which offer support and strategies for a variety of issues. These can include topics such as social skills, maintaining friendships, conflict resolution, and emotional management. In a transient international school like HKIS, transitional support is provided for students who are new and those who are departing. Counselors also facilitate parent education classes and presentations on relevant topics and are available for consultation.
Parents are encouraged to contact the counselors as family needs arise, so that they can work together to support the positive growth of their children.