Vital link
MARIA HENRIETTA
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The role of the school counsellor is all important as he or she is the link between the home and the school environment.
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N. Sridharan
School and family are two major social institutions, which play a vital role in the overall personality development of the children. The encouragement and support they get in school motivate them for many important responsibilities and tasks. Likewise the discouragement arising out of school-life experiences leads to a variety of problems. Children need support and help to cope with their problems. They need constant guidance and advice to realise their abilities.
Step in time
In school, teachers are the first and best persons to identify the child's problems, which are unique and complex. They need a professional to listen and respond to their queries; above all to understand the work at his/her level. The teacher who identifies the problem should seek help to take remedial action.
This is where a trained counsellor steps in. The professionals who work with children should be involved and totally committed to the overall development of children. The counsellor's behaviour and attitude will go a long way in the formation of the children's personality and in the development of his values.
The common problems, children face may be classified into academic, emotional and other major problems. The emotional problems usually are parental pressures, high expectations of parents, low self esteem, poor personality development, inability to cope with studies and adolescent problems. These problems lead to emotional disturbance in the child and affect his academic performance. The child lacks interest in academics due to pressure and stress resulting in a lack of concentration.
Cognitive disabilities
When the child develops cognitive disabilities, he/she may not be able to cope with studies. This may lead to confusion, anger and emotional disturbances. The teachers and professional counsellors should work together with the child. The counsellor along with the team makes a proper diagnosis of the problem and a treatment plan is prepared. Usually four or five sessions are planned and counselling is given. The case is followed up till the child attains the state of self-management.
Schools should have a counsellor, as it is the counsellor that forms the bridge between the school and the home environment. There is a misconception the psychiatrists and psychologists work only with "abnormal" children. In some cases even a normal child needs help to cope with his/her problems, which are most often swept under the carpet.
The counsellor who has an overall view of the situation is able to put things in perspective and create an awareness of the child's need.
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