This page shows two different projects I have done in tier 3 sessions.
Happy Thought Pot: Growing Joy Through Reflection
Individual Counseling Intervention for Anxiety, Self-Esteem, and Emotional Resilience
- Happy Thought Pot is a personalized intervention designed for a first-grade student experiencing anxiety and difficulty with verbal expression.
- The project provided a tangible, visual space where the student could collect and reflect on positive thoughts, including things she loves, accomplishments she’s proud of, and moments that bring her joy.
- These reflections were written or drawn on slips of paper, forming the soil and foundation of hand-crafted flowers made from pipe cleaners, symbolizing how positive thoughts help her grow.
- Through guided prompts, the student explored her strengths, calming strategies, and favorite experiences, promoting self-awareness and emotional insight.
- The project supported self-esteem and resilience by offering a creative, strength-based way to affirm her identity and revisit helpful thoughts in times of stress.
- As the pot was filled over time, the Happy Thought Pot became a grounding and coping tool, helping her manage anxiety and build a more joyful, empowered self-concept.
Sea of Feelings: A Mermaid Companion for Coping and Connection
Kindergarten Coping Skills Intervention
- A mermaid companion for big feelings is an individualized project created to support emotional awareness, self-expression, and coping skills for a kindergarten student.
- The student designed and created an Emotion Buddy, a mermaid doll with a coping skills bag, through a guided process that incorporated emotional literacy, fine motor skill development, and pattern recognition.
- The student participated in all stages of the project, including choosing patterns, cutting fabric, sewing pieces, and assembling the doll, integrating her personal coping strategies into the design.
- This project promoted self-awareness by helping the student name emotions, recognize physical cues, and reflect on her feelings.
- It encouraged self-actualization by building confidence and pride through the completion of a creative and meaningful task.
- The student personalized the doll’s design by embedding coping strategies such as deep breathing and counting, creating a tangible emotional regulation tool.
- The project also strengthened fine motor and executive functioning skills through planning, organizing, and hands-on crafting.
- The final product, the Emotion Buddy, became a comforting and empowering tool the student uses daily to manage her emotions and self-regulate.