I’m a week late posting this entry from last week’s story time! I’m so sorry! I had a sonogram last week after story time where we got to find out the gender of the babies, and then over the weekend we celebrated my son’s birthday (he’s 3 now!), so the week just got away from me. Here’s what we talked about last week in story time:

Emotions and the Letter “G”

Books:

Today’s theme was all about emotions! We read the books: The Color Monster by Anna Llenas and My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss. We talked about how sometimes our emotions can seem like they take on different colors, and how those colors might be different for people. We talked about naming our emotions and being aware of them. All emotions are good to feel – but it’s important to know how to express them in ways that are not dangerous or harmful to self or others. A phrase that we use in our house is “I see that you are feeling mad. What can you do with your mad?” When your child is experiencing big emotions, acknowledge their emotion, name it, and ask what they can do with it. If they offer a solution that involves hurting, ask them to try again in a more positive manner. If they are struggling finding something to do, give them some suggestions. When my son is feeling angry, we ask if he would like to blow out his candles. He holds up one hand and blows on each finger slowly, putting the finger down as he goes. Doing breathing techniques like this while your child is upset can help them calm down in a fun manner.

Having a calm down corner where your child can go and process their feelings is another way to help them – this is different from time out. This is a safe place that your child can feel their feelings and have tools to help them calm down. Think about putting comfy pillows and blankets there, have sensory bottles for them to shake and observe, have a music player with calming music, have squishy toys to squeeze. All of these are great ways to help your child recognize how they are feeling as well as find positive and constructive ways to move beyond their emotion when they are ready.

Songs:

This is Me

This is me

From my head to my toes

I have two eyes and a little nose

I can clap my hands

And stomp my feet

From my head to my toes

I’m pretty neat

 

I Have Feelings

(To the tune of: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)

I have feelings (point to self)

So do you (point to others)

Let’s all sing about a few.

I am happy (make a big smile)

I am sad (frown)

I get scared (cross arms and make a scared face)

I get mad (make fists and stomp feet)

I am proud of being me (hands on hips, smile)

That’s a feeling too, you see.

 

Feelings If You’re Happy and You Know It

If you’re:

Happy and you know it – clap your hands

Sad – say “Boo Hoo”

Surprised – say “Oh My”

Scared – Shiver and Shake

Mad – Stomp your feet

Silly – make a silly face

Activities:

We talked about the letter “G” this week. We discussed what it looks like, how to draw it, what sound it makes, and words that start with it. Here are some activities to continue the learning about the letter G:

*set up a Golf course in your backyard

*Give a small gift to someone special

*make a Garden sensory bin

*make a guitar https://www.thriftyfun.com/making-a-cereal-box-guitar.html

*Grow beans https://www.pre-kpages.com/planting-and-growing-beans-in-preschool/

*learn about germs

Crafts:

Stop by the library to pick up a DIY emotions wheel. Your child is in control of which emotions they want to include on their wheel and what colors/facial expressions they think portray them best for themselves.

Link to the Dot Alphabet: https://www.themeasuredmom.com/dot-sticker-pages/

Hope you all have a wonderful week!