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As a school counsellor, you’re always willing to save time and reach out to your learners. When you are unable to be with them, you can take the help of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) support tools to share.
 

It is understandable that school counsellors want to be there for their students all the time, but it is not always possible given the duties and responsibilities. So, how can you offer support, especially if you can’t be with your students 1:1?
 

When you’re short on time, physical SEL tools turn out to be your best friends.
 

The Best Kind of SEL Support Tool
 

To save time, school counsellors adept at student counselling techniques, find benefits in employing physical tools to assist their learners; and one of the finest ways to implement SEL tools is to provide reading materials that are readily available.
 

Brochures are a one-stop solution to the time-management/ time-scarcity nightmare faced by all school counsellors. It’s easy to read, appropriate development-wise, and are engaging with various mindful colouring elements and activities. Above all, using brochures in your counselling office will tie up the loose moments when you’re unable to help a student (maybe because you’re teaching in a classroom).
 

On-the-go brochures are also perfect for schoolchildren who are not much comfortable working directly with a school counsellor, and as a bonus, you may educate (and warm-up) the student/s who are less likely to look for help in a face-to-face setting.  
 

Expert Tip: If using handmade brochures, try bright colours that are attractive and place those in a high traffic area in the school.
 

Ways to Support Learners When You’re Away
 

As we gradually move ahead with our lives through the pandemic, we find ourselves in newer terrains. Even when you DO have access to your learners, you somewhat struggle to aid each of them due to time restrictions. As a school counsellor, it was unimaginable to encounter yet another barrier when it comes to supporting students.
 

Fortunately, tools like SEL brochures are quite enough to get learners through the unprecedented times the world is currently experiencing. So, even during your absence, a brochure full of activities and helpful information might just be enough to assist students in moving forward. Even in situations when a pandemic isn’t causing disruptions and preventing you from seeing your students, there are and always will be a time, wherein learners are sure to benefit from a little extra support, e.g., Christmas break, summer vacation, and any other unplanned breaks.
 

SEL brochures are simple for learners to carry with them, refer back to, and even count on when the professional support of a school counsellor is unavailable.
 

It’s Perfect for Parents Too
 

Social and Emotional Learning brochures are perfect for parents as well. First of all, it will help get the word out about the significance of SEL, and secondly, it provides reference material for parents when they need it (topics like bullying and mindfulness). It also helps families see the value in your services as a school counsellor and to get back to you whenever required.

Working with families can be difficult, but then again, making parents informed and giving away a world of information in a parent’s hand is a way to boost SEL at home and school.
 

Spread the Word About Your SEL Tool

In the meantime, SEL tools like brochures, are intended to be near where learners are, so they’re easily found. As mentioned, the brochures must be displayed in areas of high traffic such as the entrance to your office, and even near the door to your office, so that it helps learners at times when you are unavailable for them.

You should also consider showing those off during the parent-teacher meet and making ‘kits’ to hand out to parents, so they can refer back to them with their kids later on. Moreover, SEL brochures can also be used as schoolwork or assignments from group lessons or as a take-home for further discussion with their families. Whenever required, brochures are actually an extension of counselling services, and while you want and try your best to be available to help each and every learner, you need to know that you can’t be everywhere at once.

But the thing you CAN DO is offer helpful SEL tools to your beloved students and their families to help them get through tough times when you are unavailable for them, and until you can.