Elementary SEL
Week 3
How Can We Help Kids With Self-Regulation?
Some kids need help learning to control their emotions.
"Just Breathe" by Julie Bayer Salzman & Josh Salzman (Wavecrest Films)
Watch Just Breathe with your child(ren).
Ask your child(ren) how they calm down when they’re worried, angry, or upset?
Discuss with your child(ren) that learning slow, deep breaths increase the supply of oxygen to their brains and help them think more clearly. Reiterate while it can be hard to remember to take a deep breath in the heat of the moment, if they practice deep breathing regularly, taking calm breaths can become automatic.
18 Mindfulness Activities
Here are 18 5-10 Minute effective mindfulness activities for kids.
Learn to Belly Breathe with Rosita
Help your child(ren) practice belly breathing with Rosita as she teaches how to help calm yourself down, and teaches some new words to describe how you're feeling.
Zen Den
These videos, for kids age 5-8, are great for introducing mindfulness and calm.
Books that are great to use with elementary kids:
When introducing the concept of mindfulness, it can be helpful to use books.
Some to try are
- The Lemonade Hurricane by Licia Morelli
- Take The Time: Mindfulness For Kids,
- King Calm: Mindful Gorilla in the City by Susan D. Sweet PhD, Brenda S. Miles PhD, et al.
- I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness by Susan Verde
- Mindful Monkey, Happy Panda by Lauren Alderfer and Kerry Lee MacLean