Ashley Hall News & Blog
Grounded, Confident, and Kind: Wellness in the Lower School October 20, 2026
Educating the whole child at Ashley Hall means giving girls the tools to understand themselves and connect with the world around them. Through our Lower School wellness program, students learn to navigate conflicts, practice empathy, and approach life's challenges with a growth mindset. Below, Lower School Counselor Kristin Doggett offers a look at how these foundational lessons unfold in the classroom, helping our students grow into confident, capable leaders.
One of the things that drew me to Ashley Hall as both a parent and a school counselor was the intentional way social-emotional learning is woven into the fabric of the School. I was drawn to a community that recognizes the importance of helping girls believe in themselves, trust their own voices, and develop the skills to navigate the world with confidence, compassion, and creativity. In the Lower School, this work comes to life through our wellness program, where students develop the self-awareness, resilience, and interpersonal skills that empower them to navigate challenges, build meaningful relationships, and make thoughtful choices.
At Ashley Hall, educating the whole child means nurturing skills that extend beyond the classroom. Through wellness lessons, students learn to become their best selves by recognizing and managing emotions, resolving conflicts, showing empathy, embracing a growth mindset, and navigating disappointment with flexibility and resilience. They explore strategies to increase body awareness, calm their bodies, and establish healthy boundaries. They also strengthen executive functioning skills, including organization, planning, and breaking tasks into manageable steps such as organizing, planning, and breaking tasks into manageable steps. Together, these lessons provide students with practical tools to navigate the everyday challenges of growing up, while laying the groundwork for a strong sense of self.
At the heart of this work is helping students understand themselves and their place within a community. Wellness lessons are thoughtfully tailored to students’ developmental levels, allowing them to build social-emotional skills in ways that are meaningful and relevant to their experiences.
This past year, third and fourth grade students explored themes central to their social-emotional growth: protecting their peace, building meaningful connections, and communicating with authenticity and empathy. Through discussions, role-playing, and reflection, students explored healthy boundaries, the qualities of supportive friendships, and the importance of clear, respectful communication. They role-played a variety of conflicts, practiced asking for help or space, and brainstormed ways to communicate clearly while remaining kind.
These activities encouraged students to consider how their choices affect others, advocate for their own needs while remaining mindful of those around them, and navigate disagreements with empathy and respect. Through this work, students build the confidence to express themselves authentically, appreciate others’ perspectives, and reflect on the values they want to carry into their relationships and communities.
The significance of this work extends far beyond a single wellness lesson. By giving students the language, strategies, and opportunities to practice these skills, our wellness program helps them develop a stronger sense of agency and confidence in their abilities. Students learn that their voices matter, that challenges can be opportunities for growth, and that authenticity and empathy can go hand in hand. These lessons shape how girls understand themselves, build relationships, and navigate the world around them.
At Ashley Hall, this work reflects our commitment to inspiring confident, compassionate, and creative leaders—students who trust themselves, recognize the value in others, and feel empowered to make a positive difference in their communities.
