This month as I visit classes we will be discussing our feelings and how to handle different emotions. I will be introducing myself and the role of the school counselor to many classes while also talking about our emotions. Teaching the whole child during Social Emotional Learning lessons teaches awareness of personal feelings as well as others' feelings.
Check out these books about all kinds of feelings!
The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
Today I feel Silly by Jamie Lee Curtis
When Sophie Gets Angry by Molly Bang
Try some of these activities to build emotional awareness and expression!!
- Write feeling words on strips of paper, put them in a paper bag and play feeling charades!
- Take pictures of your child making feeling faces and create your own feelings poster!
- Ask your child how they feel about their day!
HOW TO MAKE A HAND-BRAIN MODEL
DESCRIPTION/ACTIONImagine your hand’s a brain/ Hold hand up, palm facing away from you Thumb is the feeling part of the brain/ Fold thumb in on top of your palm Fingers are thinking part of the brain/ Fold fingers over your thumb When feelings are strong, it’s like you flip your lid/ Flip up your fingers The feeling part of the brain takes over/ Wiggle your thumb.
PRACTICE PLAYING “DON’T FLIP YOUR LID
” • Read “How to Make a Hand-Brain” section, and practice several times.
• Pick a feeling, and think of a time that you’ve felt it strongly, (worried, disappointed, angry, embarrassed, excited).
Make a hand-brain that has flipped its lid.
• Think about where you feel the feeling in your body. • Fold fingers over your thumb getting your control back
• Try more feelings.