April 20th - April 24th
THEME OF THE WEEK: EMOTIONS
Our bodies are like car engines and our emotions affect its performance. Some emotions rev us up while others cause us to run a bit sluggish. There are emotions that run our bodies at optimal performance, but the question is how do we turn our revved up or sluggish emotions into those of optimal performance? As a society, we have never experienced anything like this before, so it is natural for us to feel a wide range of emotions. It may be difficult at times to identify exactly how we are feeling, especially for students. The activities listed below will help your children build their emotion vocabularies, identify which emotions are their current driving force and offer ideas on how to run their emotion engines at optimal performance.
INTEGRATING THE THEME INTO THE HOME:
Emotional Vocabulary
Use the chart below to help build your child’s emotional vocabulary.
Ask your child to identify how they are feeling at the moment.
Something to keep in mind is that our emotions can change in an instant, especially during times of stress. The emotion we are currently feeling may change though the situation has not. It is common for emotions to be all over the place. This idea is where the term “emotional roller coaster” came from. If you or your child are experiencing the “emotional roller coaster” right now know that you are not alone.
Emotional Engine - What is your current driving force?
Emotions can be a bit tricky to identify. For younger children it may be easier (ex. My sister took my toy and I’m mad), but as we get older and the situations get more complex it might not be as easy. You may have to first start with identifying how your engine is running then think through the emotions involved in the situation.
Are You?
Sluggish
Sleeping too much
Unmotivated
Unable To Complete Work Assigned
More Time Spent Online For Non-School Related Activities
Compared to last week
Avoiding Others
Eating too much or skipping meals
Revved Up
Angry
Yelling
Short tempered
Crying
Can’t sit still
Too much energy
Bothering others
Running At Optimal Performance
Calm
Happy
Peaceful
On track with school work
Confident
Social -Introverts & extroverts will have different definitions of Social
Running At Optimal Performance
Activities to Add Gas to Your Engine
Stick to your regular schedule
OR if you feel like you are a little stuck in your schedule mix things up.
Ex: afternoon activities in the morning and morning activities in the afternoon
Go for a walk
Go on a bike ride
Exercise
Do something creative
Call a friend
Listen to energizing music
Make a list of the things you are grateful for
Activities to Calm Your Engine
Yoga
Mindfulness
Go for a walk
Exercise
Deep breathing
Take a break
Listen to calming music
Emotional Connection
The more aware we are of our emotions in different situations the more we can connect them to current things happening. Below is a great game to play with kids of all ages to build emotional connections.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
(5th - 12th) Yoga for Teens - Online video for teen yoga
(5th - 12th) https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/emotionally-healthy-teens/201909/how-react-adolescent-emotions
(7th - 12th) Low Impact FULL BODY HIIT Workout (No Equipment + No Jumping)
(7th - 12th) Awaken The Artist Within | Yoga With Adriene
(7th - 12th) 20 min Full Body STRETCH/YOGA for STRESS & ANXIETY Relief
(7th - 12th) Calming Music
(8th - 12th) https://www.ong.ohio.gov/frg/FRGresources/emotional_intellegence_13-18.pdf