Inside: Important messages and practical strategies for parents and educators helping children dealing with sadness learn to cope and share their feelings. As a child, I carried a huge burden as a significant part of my life revolved around dealing with sadness. My childhood was complicated, and it left me with heavy unresolved emotions that…
Inside: Research shows why happiness is important and how powerful it is for helping students to thrive both socially and emotionally. Scroll down for fantastic activities and tips around creating a happy classroom. The past few years have been quite a rollercoaster for me, especially dealing with my mum’s illness and her passing. It took…
Have you tried guided meditation for students in your classroom? If not, your kids are missing out! Imagine taking some time away from the chaos and noise of the school day when students are struggling to focus. A guided meditation leads them on a magical journey to relax and de-stress. These calming moments are amazing for…
Teachers are unsung heroes in our society. Their tireless dedication to nurturing the minds of our children is incredibly noble. But it comes at a price. Teacher self-care is often neglected and a hot topic in the media. Educators know they should care for themselves but the demands of their profession leaves them little time to…
Aside from parents, educators are often the most influential people in a child’s life. They play a critical role in shaping hearts and minds while laying the foundations for social, emotional, and academic success. Yet the profession is often perceived as an easy job making many teachers feel undervalued and unimportant. It seems that as a…
A brain break for kids is one of the best ways to engage your students and ensure they’re doing their best learning. Honestly, they’re a must in just about any classroom.Students spend almost a third of their day in class. During this time, they’re expected to sit still and pay attention for long periods while…
Has COVID taken a toll on your student’s wellbeing? Show them that you understand and support them by giving them an easy way to share their worries, concerns, and needs.Julia Brown is a middle school teacher in Texas who had a simple but clever idea to help her students communicate their needs or wants in…
Inside: Learn what a community circle in an elementary classroom is, why they’re important and how to use them effectively for a warm and inclusive community. Updated: November 26th, 2024 Starting the day with a community circle or morning meeting is a powerful way to create a positive classroom environment. These gatherings help students ease…
Inside: Learn why affirmations are important, the benefits, and how to develop confidence and self-belief through positive affirmations for kids. Download free coloring pages to reinforce positive messages. You may not think that daily mantras can make much of a difference but using positive affirmations for kids can be life-changing!Messages that develop a growth mindset…
Inside: 6 easy ideas for using movement to improve the social emotional health and wellbeing of kids at school or home. Humans are naturally social creatures, meant to thrive in communities and build connections with others. When the pandemic forced us to isolate to protect our physical health, it took a toll on so many…
During this worrying time of COVID-19 with isolation and distance learning, some children are feeling scared and may even experience some anxiety. Being in Melbourne, with a very strict lockdown, kids have been learning from home for many months. This has caused a lot of worry and confusion for one fifth grader I know. He…
The wrinkled heart activity or crumpled paper bullying lesson is a powerful way to teach children about the lasting effects of bullying.This simple activity is a valuable friendship lesson that shows students how difficult it is to undo the damage from unkind words and actions!Who could imagine that a single sheet of scrunched up paper…