With these funds I will purchase 6 board games to use in my small group and individual counseling with PK-5th grade students. I currently hold groups throughout the year for grief, divorce, anger management, social skills, worries/fear and self-esteem. These topics are readily addressed at our school and I find that many children struggle with openly discussing these struggles with their peers. I am currently using a wonderful workbook and counseling websites/blogs to accumulate ideas for small group activities. I love these hands on activities, but there are only so many I can provide my students. I feel that they need more! Pictured above is a great hands on activity from our \"Grief and Lose" group last year. The students really enjoyed this because they were able to discuss their loved ones in greater detail. I hope to provide this kind of opportunity for dialogue through these board games. The board games listed below encourage an open line of communication through a fun and interactive game. I cannot think of a better way for a young child to discuss tough topics such as grief, divorce or worries with peers of similar circumstance.

1. "Doggone Grief is a children's grief game. The board game is designed to help kids share their feelings about a special person who died. Communication is the first step toward healing." ($41.95) 
http://www.childtherapytoys.com/store/product7281.html#7281 

2. "Help children communicate their feelings and develop insight into dealing with their parents' divorce. The 99 cards in this game can be played by themselves or used with the original board game, Talking, Feeling, and Doing. For grades preK-9."($23.95)
http://www.childtherapytoys.com/store/product3686.html#3686

3. "It is difficult to teach children anger management skills, but it can be done with patience and practice. Escape form Anger Island™ is designed with the busy counselor in mind, and it can be played in just 15 minutes. There are six skills in total, and one skill is the focus of each 15 minute session. Kids can play multiple times to learn all six skills."($48.95)
http://www.childtherapytoys.com/store/product204.html#204

4. "A cooperative board game that teaches day-to-day social skills and social awareness. Designed to help children become socially aware of the world they live in, as they build the social skills they need in everyday life: helping, sharing, being polite, cooperating, understanding different points of views, listening, following rules, acting assertively, and being a friend. Players work as a team, there are no individual winners."($54.95)
http://www.childtherapytoys.com/store/product8481.html#8481

5. "It includes 101 cards to hep kids and teens change their irrational automatic thoughts to thoughts that are realistic and helpful. The Wheel of Relaxation is used to help players practice relaxation and self-calming techniques so that they can more easily face their fears."($17.95)
http://www.childtherapytoys.com/store/product9488.html#9488

6. "Totika is a wood stacking game like no other! While trying to keep the stack from falling over, players draw cards and answer questions to promote conversation, relationship building, personal growth, and self-esteem."($61.95)
http://www.childtherapytoys.com/store/product4175.html#4175 

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