Guidance in

Elementary Level

Although the client is a carefree, happy, child in school, guidance activities constitute his major interests.

Guidance in the elementary level is based on the continuing development of fundamental knowledge, attitudes and skills of a person as a child matures into an adolescent.

The emphasis of guidance is on the prevention and positive approach with emphasis on mental hygiene and correct values.

A well-planned educational set-up of the program has to be prepared where learning is enhanced; for instance, utilizing the teachers to know the needs of the child. Interests must be clearly understood.

Contents of Elementary Guidance Program

I. Vision and MissionII. General ObjectivesIII.Services and Programs

A. Individual Pupil Inventory contains personal, family and academic dataB. Information services pertain to social information like on-going orientation programs involving teachers, parents and pupilsC. Counseling service includes individual, group, or classroom counseling sessions and referrals

D. Testing means schedule, testing time including standardized testsE. Evaluation pertains to gathered feedback forms to find out the strong and weak points of the program

IV. Yearly Calendar containing activities, programs, and their corresponding dates of schedule

Nature and Growth Pattern of the Child Learner

A child is a human being who has needs. A wise, creative, and concerned mentor must have a way to understand the following basic individual growth patterns to assist the child in his social and emotional maturity.

1. Children are similar in some aspects but they too differ in certain phases. Some mature in all areas rapidly, still a few lag behind.

2. Environment plays a vital role in the child’s proper development.

a. Food, warmth, air, and safety support physical growth.

b. Having a sense of security and worth or self-respect do much for the child’s emotional security, giving him an increased ability to cope fairly with life.

Having a family, a dad or a mom to identify himself with, is also important to the development of the child’s basic values and attitudes.

The child’s basic needs are belongingness, achievement, economic security, love, freedom from fear and guilt, and understanding.

Functions of Guidance

The functions of elementary guidance:-to Meet the development tasks required by education in assisting students to grow up as a capable and contributing members of society

-to Help understand and sustain social relationship

-to Discover individual aptitudes/skills

-to Develop critical thinking, appreciation of worthwhile activities, sound and desirable mental abilities as well as a sense of responsibility and service among students.