Social-Emotional

Social-emotional learning involves how children learn about self-awareness, self-control, how to have positive interactions and relationships worth others, understand and manage their emotions, how to feel and show empathy and make responsible decisions for themselves.

Social-emotional learning is a very important part of preschool, and we will have resources here for your family to utilize at home.

Social Stories to help talk with your child about Covid and Distance Learning

Learning at Home social story

A social story that talks about why we are home, feelings we may have and how to be ready for distance learning.

Audrey the Puppet Talking About Corona Virus

Defending the Early Years presents Dr. Susan Linn and Audrey Duck: Audrey Duck asks Susan about the coronavirus. Why can't I play with my friends? Why do you have to work sometimes? What can I do when you can't play with me? I miss my grandparents and cousins. What can I do when I'm feeling scared, mad, or sad?

Resources For Discussing Racism and Protests with Your Child

Something Happened In Our Town - A Child's Story About Racial Injustice

They're Not Too Young To Talk About Race

Talking Race with Young Children - NPR

NY Times Article: These Books Can Help You Explain Racism To Your Kids

Sesame Street's Elmo and His Dad, Louie Talk About Racism and Protesting - this is a link to a video on YouTube - please remember to disable Autoplay feature

Preschool Mental Health Consultant

Erin Savage, LMFT supervises our preschool mental health consultants. Before the school closures our consultants facilitated social and play groups for our students, play therapy and consultation with our teachers and families. During distance learning, Erin Savage is available to provide consultation to all of our families. Our consultants will also work with our preschool teachers to provide the necessary social emotional supports for our students.

If you have any questions or concerns about how your child is responding to the school closures, or would like to consult about strategies to support your child’s social-emotional learning at home, please feel free to contact Erin Savage at 415-533-9958 or erinsavage@berkeley.net.

Videos from 2019-2020 Distance Learning - Social-Emotional

Work-Play-Reset Video

This is a video exercise from Ian to help children practice re-setting their mind and body during transition times.

Squiggles and Circles Drawing Activity

A simple art activity designed to support expressing different rhythms and help activate and balance the left and right hemispheres of the brain. It allows children to move between more free-flow drawing to increased control and containment. Helpful for supporting the transition into more focused activities.

Turn Taking Art Activity - For Parents

This is an art activity facilitated by our mental health consultant, Ian Shaw-Zak, designed to support parent-child play and provides a context where the child can have an opportunity to take the lead. This activity can help your child with self-regulation and is a way to support "tuning in" to your child. Supplies needed: paper and crayons, pencils or markers.

When Can I Go Back To School Social Story

This is a social story for children that talks about when students can return to school and the feelings they are having about missing school. Written by Carrie-Rodrigues-Jackson, M.S., LEP, Linsey Sandrew, M.S., CCC-LEP and Finn Jackson.

Fort Building For Parents and Children

Fort building is a great activity for kids - both on their own but also as a shared activity that they will love doing with a parent or caregiver. All you need are some cushions, blankets or sheets, and whatever else seems like it will work. I used some scarves, a box, and some wooden blocks. This is a great activity to support a sense of containment and safety in these uncertain times, as well as personal space while we are perhaps spending more time at home together. It can be a great way to set up for story time or engage in imaginative play. Fort building isn't only for children or perhaps it is for the children in all of us - have fun!

Wiggle Freeze Dance For Children

This video is designed to support play, social-emotional learning and emotional regulation. You can watch with your child and join in or your child can watch and move along with the teacher. Doing some of these exercises with your child can be a support with transitions. You might discover that they are fun and stress-releasing for grownups, too!