Suggested activities can be repeated and you can choose what to enjoy at any time during the week. These are suggestions and I hope you enjoy them!

Social Emotional Learning During School Closure 4.20.2020

Kindergarten

Watch or read the book "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse" by Kevin Henkes https://safeYouTube.net/w/EtM5

Feel free to ask your child about the main idea of this book. Help them make connections with The Biscotti Kid (e.g., "Eyes watch; ears listen; voice quiet; body calm") from last week's choice board. Help your child (children) recall a time when they did not listen to an adult, what happened, how did the adult feel and what did they do to fix the problem?

Mindfulness Exercise Practice the Compassion Hug. Sit in a comfortable position with both feet on the floor; stretch your arms out to the side and take a deep breath in; when blowing out the breath, wrap your arms around yourself and give yourself a hug; pat yourself on the back and repeat two more times.

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Practice your “I messages” when situations arise.

“I feel….

When....

Because…

I want….”

For example, if a sibling borrows a toy without asking, say, “I feel frustrated when you take my toys without asking because it is special to me. I want you to ask first because most of the time I will share my toys with you.”

Watch "A Froggy Fable" https://safeYouTube.net/w/MBM5

Feel free to talk with your child about the story and the story elements. For example, you can start by telling your child this is a story about how characters may feel when something changes. You may ask, *What is your favorite part?; Who is the main character?; How did the main character change? What did the main character learn?; What can we learn from this story? Make connections with the changes from school closing, acknowledge any feelings but also think about the positive things that have happened as a result. (For example, more time with family; a slower pace; more time playing outside.)

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First Grade

Mindfulness Exercise: Take a mindful walk with an adult. Use your 5 senses to explore your surroundings. Take a deep breath in and notice your surroundings.

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Watch or read “The Recess Queen” https://safeYouTube.net/w/uZT5 Feel free to talk with your child about the story and the story elements. Ask your child whether they made any connections with the characters in the story. Feel free to tell your child, “This is a story about what happens when we are kind to others.” Ask, “What is your favorite part? Who is the main character? What can we learn from this story?”

Visit ZenDen https://www.cosmickids.com/tag/zen-den/

Practice your “I messages” when situations arise.

“I feel….

When....

Because…

I want….”

For example, if a sibling borrows a toy without asking, say, “I feel frustrated when you take my toys without asking because it is special to me. I want you to ask first because most of the time I will share my toys with you.”

Watch or read "It's OK to be Different" https://safeYouTube.net/w/kYT5

Help your child reflect: “What makes me unique and special? What am I good at; What do I enjoy doing in my spare time?” Have them think of a time when differences between friends became clear. Think about your family, what makes your family special? How are each family member different? What holidays do you enjoy together? Talk with your children about any number of ways the family and even the individuals in the family are unique.

Second Grade

Watch or read the book "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse" by Kevin Henkes https://safeYouTube.net/w/EtM5

Feel free to ask your child about the main idea of this book. Help them make connections with The Biscotti Kid (e.g., "Eyes watch; ears listen; voice quiet; body calm") from last week's choice board. Help your child (children) recall a time when they did not listen to an adult, what happened, how did the adult feel and what did they do to fix the problem?

Visit GoNoodle https://www.gonoodle.com/

Talk to your child (children) about the "Listening Recipe" Talk with your child about recipes and how each has ingredients that when put together make that item or food. Listening has a recipe too! (Feel free to add to the ingredients or explain further as necessary.) When we talk with others, we STOP what we are doing, we Turn our bodies to face the speaker, we LOOK at the person speaking and we THINK about what the person is saying. When we reply, we STAY ON TOPIC or talk about the same subject as the speaker (even if it is not a favorite topic.)

You can also watch "The Biscotti Kid" together another way to break down the skill of listening into small and important parts. The children generally love this clip and it might be a nice tool for parents to use. Watch together if you can. The gestures "Eyes watch, ears listen, voice quiet, body calm" are a nice way to remind children to use their whole body to listen.

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and /or practice using your imaginary breathing ball. Put your hands together and then pull them apart as you breathe in and then put your hands back together as you breathe out. Practice this at least three times.

Mindfulness Exercise: Compassion Hug Sit in a comfortable position with both feet on the floor; stretch your arms out to the side and take a deep breath in; when blowing out the breath, wrap your arms around yourself and give yourself a hug; pat yourself on the back; make a kind wish for yourself or give yourself a compliment and repeat two more times.