It is important that students can identify and name their feelings and emotions so that they are able to express what they are thinking and how their body reacts. For example, when someone is anxious they might get butterflies in their tummy or clench their fist when they're angry. These activities are aimed at getting students to think about their emotions and could be used as a way for you to check in daily and see how your child is going.
Listen to the Smiling Minds guided meditation by click in the video - Sea creatures and noticing emotions.
Imagine yourself swimming in the ocean, watching the ocean creatures swim around you. The jellyfish, colourful fish, turtles and sea horses are just like your emotions. Learn to notice your emotions, what they feel like and where you feel them in your body. By developing the skill of noticing your emotions, you can better handle stress, anxiety, fear and sadness. We can also become more aware of our more positive emotions.
Find some rocks, pebbles or make some cards about the size of your fist. When you have these draw some faces on them to show any feelings/emotions you have. It is probably best to use texta or paint if you have some at home. Refer to the feelings chart if you get stuck to give you some ideas on how you could draw different facial expressions. Decorate your rocks when you have finished. Keep these in a safe place. You can use these special rocks to talk about your feelings.
Watch The Feelings Song. After watching this video maybe have a go at making your own feelings song or video. Record a short video clip.
Go Noodle - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2YBT7HYqCbbvzu3kKZ3wnw
Brain Pop - https://www.brainpop.com/
ABC Kids - https://www.abc.net.au/abckids/early-education/
Audible Stories (Fairy Tales) - https://stories.audible.com/discovery/enterprise-discovery-21122352011?ref=adbl_ent_anon_ds_ds_dccs_sbtp-0-7
Smiling Mind guided meditation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NB3ihqPQGw
Guided drawing Art for Kids Hub - https://www.youtube.com/user/ArtforKidsHub
Cosmic Yoga for Kids - https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga
The Foundation Team
Balance activities:
· Jumping with two feet together over a skipping rope (laid out straight along the ground) and then walking heel to toe back to the start.
· Walking along a skipping rope on the ground with a beanbag on head and balance the beanbag.
· Walking backwards along the skipping rope.
· Using beanbags (or a ball) work in pairs and balance on one foot while throwing and catching the beanbag/ball with a partner.
Red light green light
Ask your kids to stand along the fence in the backyard. Stand across the yard from them. When you call "Green Light!" they can advance toward you and when you call "Red Light!" they stop. Change up the type of movement they use, from jumping to tiptoeing, and make sure to switch roles so they get a chance to lead too.
Obstacle course
Enlist your child's help in setting up an obstacle course in the backyard. Get creative with what you have available to make it fun and challenging. Use garden stones or an old 2x4 piece of wood to create a balance beam, mark a pathway for them to run or ride their bike on, set up a big bucket for them to throw a ball in.
If you don't have an outdoor space, you can still turn a playroom, garage or even your kid's bedroom into an obstacle course. Set up different stations like pillows for them to jump over, a row of chairs for them to crawl under, or a line made from painter's tape on the floor for them to walk or run on while balancing a beanbag on their head.
Hopscotch
Hopscotch is excellent for helping kids improve balance and coordination because of all of the rapid changes in movement required. Get out the sidewalk chalk and set up hopscotch on your patio or driveway and hop along with each other.
Twister
Twister is fun, encourages flexibility and balance, and is perfect for a rainy day or if you don't have an outdoor space available right now.