When I am sad I want to cry. When I am proud I want to fly. When I am curious I want to know. When I am impatient I want to go. When I am bored I want to play. When I am happy I smile all day. When I am shy I want to hide. When I am depressed I stay inside. When I am puzzled I want to shrug. When I am loving I kiss and hug.
Pocket of Preschool is an amazing site with a lot of ideas! Here are monster feelings cards to play memory or create a feelings poster with your family.
Click the picture to get the cards!
List of feelings books! Many of the books have YouTube read alouds! Happy Reading!
Cosmic Kids Yoga Youtube channel (click picture for link) and CosmicKids.com https://www.cosmickids.com/ demonstrate a variety of yoga videos for all ages to assist with energy, mindfulness, and so much more!
Miss Ashley's Favorite Feelings Books
I LOVE THIS BOOK! The illustrations are bright, facial expressions are accurate, emotions go beyond happy and sad and the examples are perfect for little learners!
Todd Parr books are meaningful and always a little bit silly! They teach us lessons about love, acceptance, confidence, and so much more in a way all little learners can relate.
This book is simple yet powerful. It allows kids to identify feelings, colors, animals, and get out some gross motor movement. I've linked it to a page from Book Nook that provides a variety of activities. You can also google or pinterest activities!
Parent Suggestion: One of my families suggested this book for identifying and discussing feelings with their child. There are also activities for parents to do with their children!
Gratitude
It is never too early to teach children about being grateful/thankful! Recognizing the things in our lives that we can be grateful for can have a positive effect on how we see the world and how we tackle challenges that come our way. Below are 2 links I absolutely love! One is for the grateful game that my classes play throughout the year and a grateful journal that can be filled out and worked on with the whole family!
I play this game with my prek-3 and prek-4 students all year every year! We use a large die, cover it in different colored pieces of paper and label them. You can use colorful dice, pick up sticks, legos, etc. to play. You would be amazed at what children have to say. Play consistently, play as a family and follow up with "why". "I am grateful for the playground because it helps me get my energy out" "I am grateful for Aunt Liz because she always makes me laugh" "I am grateful for chicken nuggets because they make my belly full and taste yummy"
I am grateful for this journal! I bought it for my niece and we fill it out all the time. I fill out mine and she fills out hers and we share. It includes opportunities to draw pictures, circle how you are feeling etc. Students that can not write can work together with families to record their answers. Such a great way to teach gratefulness!
Routine Creating a routine and clear expectations for your child can ease anxiety, promote independence and responsibility, and provide structure for your child and your family.
Assist with transition from one activity to another.
Assist in completing non-preferred tasks by reinforcing with a preferred activity.
Break a large schedule or sequence of events into smaller steps.
Can be broken down into two-step activities. For example, “FIRST clean up, THEN go outside.”
Can be broken down into a sequence of steps followed by a reinforcer or the next transition. For example, “FIRST colorcut-glue, THEN computer.”
Daily Picture Schedules:
I highly recommend using this link to receive tons of pictures already labeled and sized for your schedule. You DO need to sign up for the newsletter (you can unsubscribe anytime) but once you do you'll have access to tons of pictures. Pictures include morning and bedtime routine, daily home routine, school routine, potty training routine and more. The page also explains how to set it up, links to materials, and ways to use it. There is a video too!
If you do not want to sign up you can use pictures you take of your actual activities or home items or use clip art.
Schedules can have all different looks! Unclip each activity and put it in a basket when it is complete!
Try a binder!
Schedule on the Refrigerator!
Try a pocket chart!
Worry Books: Many of these Books have YouTube Read Alouds if you can not gain access to the book! Wemberly Worried By Kevin Henkes Don’t Worry Book By Todd Parr Don’t Feed the Worry Bug By Andi Green Wilma Jean Worry MachineBy Julia Cook What Does It Mean To Be PresentBy Rana DiOrio I Can Handle It By Laurie Wright Worry Says What?By Alison Edward
I am feeling..... sad,angry,nervous,
confused...... now what do I do?
Belly Breaths are a great way to calm our bodies when we are feeling sad, angry, nervous, even overly excited! Check out this video to practice belly breathing!
Calm Down Jars are great for kids when they are in a time out, need to reset their emotions, are feeling bored and fidgety (in the car, at a ceremony, etc.), feeling anxious, or dealing with sensory overload. This site has SO many variations including learning jars as well. Check them out!
Calm down corners are safe spaces for children to go in their home or school when they are feeling strong emotions or need a break. All calm down corners look different but many can and should include: a comfy seat, squishy balls to squeeze, glitter jars, calming books, crayons/paper etc. This is NOT a time out space but rather a place for kids to "get back to neutral" and THEN engage with their grownup about how they were feeling and how they can all work together to help with this feeling in the future.
Feelings thermometers can be created for children to assist in identifying their feelings (anxious, sad, angry etc). This can be during a tantrum when emotions run high, if a child has speech challenges, or if the feelings are too complex for a child to express. If needed, using this tool can lead to a behavior plan on how to handle the emotion once the child has identified it.
This site breaks down how to make one, what to do with it, and the most effective way to implement it at home. Email me with specific questions or concerns.
Using a emotions chart with realistic faces not only helps children identify the emotions but starts them on the road to empathy. Use the poster to ask your child "How is she/he feeling?" "Why do you think they feel this way?" "How would that make you feel?" "What makes you feel....?"
Products
This is great for a calm down corner or just to brighten up a bedroom!
Oriental trading has so many options! This is great for a calm down corner or just to brighten up a bedroom!
Pop tubes are super fun! They can be used to pull and push together for gross motor strengthening, used in a calm down corner to release anger or stress, can be used with blocks to make tunnels or sensory bins to pour things through! So many options!
Stretchy and squishy these are great for calm down corners or as fidget toys when feeling antsy, stressed, or anxious.
Cute and filled with water beads! Great for relaxation and fidgety fun!
Relaxing and soothing to look at when feeling overwhelmed, anxious, scared, or overly excited!