When we look at children’s emotional literacy we are considering: How we acknowledge our feelings Our ability to label our feelings Our skills to be able to regulate ourselves As adults, we are also considering how: 4. We co-regulate, by calming ourselves to respond to children’s needs Learning strategies, and supporting children to practice these […]
Children’s Activity: Regulation Cards Read More »
When we experience stress, we can have two different reactions: Hyperarousal – where we feel overwhelmed by the stress Hypoarousal – where we feel numbed by the stress Any of us can become hyper or hypo aroused, however we frequently see these actions in children who are neurodiverse, such as those with autism spectrum disorder,
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What is a master masker? For those who have attended any of my training or the Level 4 Diploma in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Coaching, I often talk about children who are ‘Master Maskers’. There is often a misconception, that children SHOW us their emotions, and this can cause a conflict between home and
Master Masking – why children hide their feelings Read More »
What am I feeling? Children develop their emotional skills through play, interactions and exploration. So, what better way to explore feelings than through a game? Download here What to do? Download the activity sheet here In small groups, take it in turns to move counters round the grid and talk about what each situation makes
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When we become overwhelmed, our brain can quickly signal to our body that ‘something is wrong’ or that we are ‘not safe’, which quickly triggers: Increased heart rate Increased blood pressure Sweating Trembling Short of breath Hot flashes Catastrophising Repetitive worries Fear of being out of control or unable to cope Sense of danger Sometimes,
5 techniques to help calm down panic or worries Read More »
How am I feeling? A step of emotional literacy development is being able to recognise what our emotions are. In order to do this, we first need to consider their names and what they feel like. For children, exploring characters in stories is a first step to understanding how people feel and why they might
Children’s Activities: How am I feeling? Read More »
Feelings Pairs Some days, we need simple but fun ways to start talking about feelings. This week, in our activity share, we are sharing our Feelings Pairs Card Game. Download here What to do: Download the feelings cards sheet (find it here) Print onto card Cut the cards along the squares Shuffle the pictures Lay
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Rainbow Breathing When we are relaxed, our minds are clearer. This means that we can make decisions easier, feel more in control and manage situations more effectively. Teaching children breathing exercises helps them to learn to breathe deeply, as well as feel more relaxed and calm. Rainbow breathing is a fun and simple activity, which
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Learning breathing techniques as part of our day is a perfect way to: calm the central nervous system reduce stress lower your heart rate regulate emotional responses increases energy improves digestion Bubble Breathing Bubble breathing is a great activity to teach children to help them reduce their own stress. Bubble breathing is a simple and
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Sometimes, we know that things are bothering us, but it can feel hard to put it into words. So, when someone asks ‘what is bothering you?’ the question feels impossible. Using activities that help children to talk, and explore their emotions in safe spaces helps children to develop their self-awareness and emotional literacy. Download
Children’s Activity: Children’s Feelings House Read More »
