Why It Is Important To Include Games In A Counselling Session?

The role of a school counsellor is quite challenging. The responsibilities of a school counsellor may vary according to the level at which they work. Counsellors are trained professionals with main focus on mental health and development. It equips them with the skills that are necessary to face the challenges of their work environment. If you want to pursue a career in counselling, you must go for counselling training for teachers to acquire the skills that are required in counselling students or anyone who requires it.

Creating genuine relationships with students is a crucial part of a school counsellor’s job. And incorporating games in your counselling office within the school premises can help build trust. They can also help to build their social and emotional learning skills while providing students a fun break from the daily busy academic schedule.

As a school counsellor, the question might strike your mind that how games can be useful in the development of students?

Let me tell you that when it comes to social-emotional skills, there’s a lot of scope for your students to learn.

Now, let us take a look at the five important reasons why you should use games in your school counselling office.

The Proof is In the Pudding

A study done in 2013 tells, “Games with simulation components provide a 23% gain over traditional learning, demonstrating that games can increase learning outcomes by two grade levels.”

While this study was conducted surrounding simulation, it reveals that there is quality in the problem-solving and critical thinking features based on which many games can be practiced in your school counsellor office.

■ Games Teach Students to Follow and Respect Rules

Playing games is a wonderful way to teach children patience and how to follow rules. Following rules is something that must be taught to every child and followed through their entire life. Educating students on following rules at a young age will teach them to understand why rules are imposed and the ways they must be followed. Games not only teach them to follow rules but also give an idea of the choices and the consequences that may follow.

■ Emotional Regulation with Games in Your School Counselling Office

While thoughts of teaching students a reasonable way to disagree come in your mind, you must know that games also aid students to regulate emotions. For example, while playing games, if a student becomes upset, there is scope for the child to learn to soothe their feelings. It is the ideal time to teach a mindfulness activity. Being mindful at a young age will help students to learn how to practice emotional regulation and use it in their entire life.

■ Games Teach Problem-Solving Skills

Games that are used in a counselling session teach problem-solving skills to children so that that they can develop a healthy mindset about the choices they make. Handling obstacles, reaching goals, and creating strategies can teach students that they do have control over the results. In other words, they will learn to make decisions that will directly have an impact on the outcomes. It teaches them to own their mistakes.

■ Games in Your School Counselling Office Teach Social Skills

The games used in a school counsellor’s office are immersed with social skills. For instance, having sportsmanship spirit and being polite are skills that are developed while playing games in the office of a school counsellor. Games often create real-world scenarios and give students the chance to practice their social skills. It teaches them to handle bigger issues they might face in their adult lives.

Therefore, the above points must have given you an idea of the reasons it is important to keep games in a school counsellor’s office. If you are a teacher who is looking to enter into the field of counselling and acquire skills that are required in counselling school children, you can pursue the Online diploma in counselling for teachers and prepare yourself to build a career in counselling.