SEL

Check-ins can be completed virtually or in person. Many teachers are familiar with "Roses and Thorns" or even a thumbs up or down. This article discusses how to take these practices a bit further to really help students identify and monitor their own wellbeing.

Mindfulness is a state of being aware of something that can be achieved by focusing your awareness on the present moment, while also acknowledging and accepting your feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations and remaining calm. Mindfulness is known to facilitate emotional regulation and reduce stress, including its impact on the brain. There are many mindfulness strategies that can be accessed on the internet or through apps, with two samples linked here.

This is a great idea for quick communication with members of the household. We never know what children are carrying in their "emotional backpack". A note left for them may make all the difference in the world as to how they start their day.