From the Counselling Suite

Story, Heroes and Belonging

Story is so important for children; it provides parents with the opportunity to promote heroes to their children, but heroes who exemplify the values which parents consider important. Story also enables children to feel as if they ‘belong’ and are connected, not only to their family, but also to the much wider human family. 

Many parents and grandparents will remember being told stories of saints such as Dominic and Francis of Assisi, and other courageous men and women who rallied against wrong and ignorance and achieved amazing things in their lifetimes; these people were their heroes – they were the ideals of love, sacrifice and bravery that they wanted to imitate. Sadly, children of today are bombarded with stories of football players, business tycoons, reality-television stars and other celebrities who too often promote life goals such as money, power, notoriety, and sometimes bad behaviour.

Most stories that are familiar to children today are those stories received via the print media, television, social media. Often these stories are exaggerated, unrealistic, sensational, and do not promote the sorts of values we want for our children. For example, the stories relayed on social media frequently promote getting a laugh at the expense of another’s dignity, or a sense of envy at the so-called wonderful life that others have. If we want our children to grow emotionally with good mental health and to live by worthwhile values then we need to ensure that they are exposed to other stories which will encourage them to develop sound moral values and good mental health.

Families are a great source of story – most of us will recall fondly and vividly stories about our own family members, both living and dead. Such stories often improve with the telling, but they provide both entertainment and education – educating us to know and to understand what is right and providing us with valuable life skills. Ensuring that our own children are told these stories, and encouraging our children to tell their own stories is one of the most important gifts that we can give.   Keeping family stories alive will ensure that you determine who your child’s heroes will be, not Facebook or YouTube!

Family stories provide children with a sense of belonging, no matter whether it is a small family or whether it is a much larger extended family. When a child feels as if they ‘belong’ and ‘connected’ to the family, they feel safe and sense that there are people who will care for them and about them. Children who experience a sense of belonging are more likely to be happier and more relaxed and to have fewer behavioural problems than those who do not have that same experience.

Parents turn off the television and ban mobile phones from the dinner table – encourage your children to tell you their stories, and you, in turn, tell them yours.  

The Counselling Team is available to advise and support all students and families and can be contacted by email on counselling@bps.sa.edu.au

Parents may also refer their son to the Counselling Team by using the Referral found on the Parent Portal. 

Ms Cathie Oswald

SCHOOL COUNSELLOR (Monday, Thursday and Friday)

Mrs Karen Davies

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST  (Tuesday and Thursday)