Social Emotional Learning

5/28/2021

Suggested activities can be repeated and you can choose what to enjoy at any time during the week.

I hope you enjoy them!

Tools!

Make the "How Are You Feeling" chart like a "Zones" chart. What color would the rain be? Or the tornado? Discuss with your child how this tool could be helpful at home? How Are You Feeling Chart

Make an "I Message" Using this Worksheet In some Social Groups, we have been practicing making "I messages" again. In the thick of it, I do recommend helping your child with sentence starters (e.g., "I feel....when...because...I want...") In addition, we have been reviewing the Problem Solving Wheel . Both tools are helpful when figuring out how to solve a problem. They provide a visual and makes it easier for your child to access language when they are upset (or when they have "flipped their lid.")

Book Club

Here is one of my all time favorite books about a very shy character who becomes brave when the town is faced with a big problem. It is a story about kindness and the importance of caring for others. Miss Twigley's Tree, Dorothea Warren Fox also provides food for thought about the differences between people and learning to accept those differences because one never knows when what seems like a weakness is actually a strength!

What to Do When You Worry Too Much by Dawn Huebner, Ph.D. is a favorite interactive workbook to help students understand their worries and strategies to help overcome them. There are several chapters and we will be doing some of the worksheets during Social Group in most of our classes. I recommend watching one or two chapters at a time to get the most out of this title.

A Froggy Fable, by John Lechner is a favorite story about a character who does not like change, until....read on and find out how he learns! (Feel free to dialog with your child about ALL of the changes they handled this past year and changes that they can look forward to...even if a little nervous!)

Min Jee’s Lunch | A Read-aloud Video for Young Learners In our first grade groups, we have been discussing what it means to be an "includer." And, what does it mean to be kind. Next week, we will talk about what to do when someone is unkind. Here is a story about the importance of friends helping one another when someone says something or does something that is unkind or hurtful. This is also a story about cultural differences and the importance of respecting others.

Recreational SEL

Yoga Animal Poses

This little booklet offers a fun and easy way to stretch and encourages mindfulness. Yoga with Animals Take a break from your "job" and do an animal pose.

Here are some Farm Animal Movement Cards to get your kids moving in a fun and creative way. These cards promote mindfulness, motor planning and coordination as well as imagination. Have fun!

How Often Do Eclipse' Happen? Here's a Mystery Science episode to help us understand what is happening during the super moon 5/26/21! And, here's more information about the only Super Flower Blood Moon Total Lunar Eclipse for this year! We may not be able to see the eclipse in the sky but we may see the "Super Moon."

Icecream Counting Mats Who doesn't love ice cream? And counting! ;-)

Zen Den

Zen Den, What is Mindfulness and How Do You Do It? Our hostess of Zen Den, Jamie, walks us through the concept of mindfulness and explains one way to practice. Watch with your child and ask them when and how they might use mindfulness during the day?

Mindfulness

Mindfulness exercises can be done at any time! I generally guide the students in the beginning and sometimes at the end of each lesson. These brain based exercises can help bodies and brains remain calm and focused. This year's series of mindfulness exercises largely came from a collection titled "Little Renegades."

In May, our mindfulness exercise is Pig Belly Breaths or mindful breathing. Place both hands on your belly. Sit still and tall and inhale through your nose. Then exhale through your mouth. What happens to your hands as you breath in and out? See if you can let thoughts rise and fall with the breath. Repeat three times.

Intentional breathing gives us the ability to anchor the mind in the present moment and deal with life's challenges in a focus, calm, assertive way. This helps us understand that our breath can be the doorway into a more positive mindset that allows us to be fully present and accept feelings as they come and go. From Little Renegades, LLC

Parent's Corner

Guide to Sibling Rivalry Here is a quick and easy guide to helping your children navigate conflicts. (Maybe some of the above tools will help!)

Seven Activities to Help Your Child Develop a Positive Attitude offers some ideas to foster positivity and a "Growth Mindset." Enjoy!