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Guidance and Counseling

Notes 19.9 Counseling at Secondary School

The Secondary school years for children are co-terminous with their early adolescence and post-
puberty years. The need for helping young boys and girls deal with problems of growing up is
great. They tend to become emotionally highly strung, develop fads and fetishes, and if not suitably
helped to outlive them, may become emotionally crippled. It is during this stage that there is a
tremendous all-round development in them. Unfortunately the only obvious aspect, namely, physical
development, is given much attention. The adolescents have their individualistic ideas, interests
and emotions and are keen to express them and look forward to proper recognition and
encouragement. The counselor’s role with the high school pupils lies in showing warmth,
understanding and friendliness by which he can win the confidence and trust of the pupils and with
the help of these, desirable attitudes, interests and goals can be inculcated. The counselor can help
the pupil gain insight into his problems and help resolve some of the problems which could assume
tremendous proportions if neglected at this stage. Another important aspect is to help the pupil
develop vocational consciousness, occupational interests and related goals. Most societies hold
academic achievement to be an important goal for adolescents.
At this level pupils have to be given vocational guidance to enable them to prepare themselves to
choose an appropriate occupation and to progress in it. All educational guidance implies vocational
guidance also.
Self Assessment
2. State whether the following statements are ‘true’ or false’.
(i) The adolescence period is between 13 to 19 years in which transition from childhood to
adult hood takes place.
(ii) 70% of students leave the school after high school.
(iii) Emotional disturbances may occur only in adolescent stage.
(iv) The purpose of counseling is to help young people acquire the knowledge develop the
habits and skills and attain the attitudes that essential for adjustment to modern life.

19.10 Summary

• All growth follows a pattern, and each child has his own built-in growth pattern and ‘timetable’.
Some mature very rapidly in all areas, and others lag behind their age group in one or more
of the four areas of development — physical, mental, social, or emotional.
• Middle childhood usually covers the years between six and ten. In this period the child is
growing in all parts of his body but less rapidly than in early childhood. Muscular growth and
coordination are uneven and incomplete, but manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination
have developed sufficiently to allow the child to use his hands and fingers for writing, drawing,
sewing, and playing musical instruments.
• Children in grades 4 to 6 have received only limited attention in research and in the study of
human growth and development.
• These children are active and want to be on the move. Physical growth is slow, and health is
good. Some, particularly the girls, may be maturing more quickly and may advance into the
more rapid growth phase of prepubescence.
• It is a common observation that children are happy and often ignorant about the problems of
adjustment. They are usually enthusiastic and can become interested in things easily but their
interests do not last long. Besides the home, the school engages them for most part of their
waking lives. If the school experiences are unpleasant, it could be most unfortunate for the
child. Counseling elementary school children involves helping them with their learning
problems and making their experiences at school enjoyable and engaging.

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