McCarthy Memo - SEL focus
Social Emotional Learning to Support Families and Students
Greetings!!!
We miss all of you and hope that you and your families are well. As we adapt to this extended time away from school we wanted to continue to be in touch (albeit virtually), and share a few resources with you, specifically around social and emotional learning.
In this issue we are sharing some video links for calming strategies and family fitness activities. Taking care of ourselves, both physically and emotionally is so important, especially now when we are out of our regular routines. We are also sharing some information about the Zones of Regulation, one component of the SEL curriculum that Framingham is using. I have also included the character trait of the month (another aspect of the SEL curriculum), with links to video read alouds of the books on Confidence.
As we adapt to our current reality we wanted to share some resources for parents on dealing with this unprecedented situation. There is an article about supporting children during school closures, and another article about how to talk to children about COVID-19.
We also want to nurture creativity, and have included some coloring sheets (for use online or to print out), and a video lesson on drawing by a professional cartoonist!
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Be well!
Jean
Videos with calming strategies and exercise ideas for families
Bubble Breath from Go Noodle
Family Health and Fitness
A Daily Yoga Lesson with Lisa Flynn
The Zones of Regulation
What Zone are you in?
THE FOUR ZONES: Our feelings & states determine our zones
The Red Zone is used to describe extremely heightened states of alertness and intense emotions. A person may be elated or experiencing anger, rage, devastation, or terror when in the Red Zone.
The Yellow Zone is also used to describe a heightened state of alertness and elevated emotions, however one has more control when they are in the Yellow Zone. A person may be experiencing stress, frustration, anxiety, excitement, silliness, the wiggles, or nervousness when in the Yellow Zone.
The Green Zone is used to describe a calm state of alertness. A person may be described as happy, focused, content, or ready to learn when in the Green Zone. This is the zone where optimal learning occurs.
The Blue Zone is used to describe low states of alertness and down feelings such as when one feels sad, tired, sick, or bored.
The Zones can be compared to traffic signs. When given a green light or in the Green Zone, one is “good to go”. A yellow sign means be aware or take caution, which applies to the Yellow Zone. A red light or stop sign means stop, and when one is the Red Zone this often is the case. The Blue Zone can be compared to the rest area signs where one goes to rest or re-energize. All of the zones are natural to experience, but the framework focuses on teaching students how to recognize and manage their Zone based on the environment and its demands and the people around them.
Character Trait of the Month for March - CONFIDENCE
Links to read alouds of the books on Confidence
Ish by Peter Reynolds
Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
After the Fall (how Humpty Dumpty got Back up Again) by Dan Santat
The Dot (El Punto) by Peter Reynolds (en espanol)
I'm Gonna Like Me (Me Gusto) by Jamie Lee Curtis (en espanol)
Resources to support Children's Social Emotional and Mental Health
The article below has some ideas for families on how to support their children and set up for success while everyone is home together during this time.
The National Association of School Psychologists has put together a resource for parents about talking to your children about COVID-19.