Social-Emotional Teaching and Learning

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“Our staff works collaboratively across disciplines to best understand our students’ social-emotional needs. We know that students need to feel safe and cared for at school in order to learn.” —Jenna Stogsdill, Clinical Head

West End Day School, a private special education school in New York City for grades 1-8, was a pioneer in the practice of social-emotional teaching, and that approach still remains at the center of everything we do. We lead with understanding and compassion and take all aspects of a student into account, helping to create the kind of curriculum that will help them succeed. 

Social-Emotional Teaching isn’t solely about academics. Counseling plays a large role, as well, and West End Day has a variety of programs that support students.

Our counseling program is designed to help ease the anxiety of students and families through individual, group, and classroom counseling. Much like our academics, counseling interventions are customized to each student and family, based on their needs. Each child and family will work directly with a dedicated counselor for the duration of their time at WEDS.

What we provide:

  • A dedicated counselor who serves as the family’s point person
  • Weekly individual counseling sessions focused upon classroom dynamics, utilizing talk/play therapy
  • Small-group counseling to foster peer connections and decrease social anxiety
  • Regular meetings with parents and caregivers to better understand the student on a deeper level
  • In-the-moment counseling, should conflicts arise
  • Coordinated care with outside providers 
  • During middle school, counseling can focus solely on the adolescent, yet our program remains committed to supporting the entire family
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Best Social-Emotional Private Schools New York City | Top Private School for ADHD in NYC | Students Playing a Chess Game Outdoors in Small Group Counseling

COUNSELING GROUPS

Students need to feel a sense of belonging and creating meaningful connections with peers can make all the difference.This is where our individualized, social-emotional focused curriculum comes in. Our weekly Counseling Groups—both class-wide and in smaller groups—give us an opportunity to understand and address dynamics between students and how they affect the community as a whole. 

Classroom Counseling Groups are integrated into our regular weekly curriculum, which eliminates anxiety around transitions and reduces the possibility for particular students to feel “singled-out” from the rest. 

Our Counseling Groups may look like:

  • Friendship Groups
    • Tailored to our younger learners
    • Co-led by counselors and speech-language pathologists
    • Focused on building communication and problem-solving skills, and integrating how-to’s of fulfilling social interactions in their everyday lives
    • Utilizes interactive games, discussions, books, and role-playing, as well as tools such as the Mood Meter to promote awareness of feelings and self-regulation
       
  • Games Groups 
    • Geared towards our middle aged students
    • Led by counselors
    • Designed to build a stronger tolerance for win/lose situations, encourage  sportsmanship, and create a sense of fun during play
    • Incorporates board games, card games, and teamwork activities both outdoors and indoors, and continues the use of the Mood Meter
       
  • Advisory Groups
    • Involves our oldest students
    • Led by counselors
    • Allows a safe space for our maturing students to better understand themselves and each other in a supportive way
    • Helps prepare them for high school and beyond
    • Promotes open dialogue and tolerance for disagreements