COMMUNICATION
The importance of teaching children how to express themselves and communicate effectively becomes more apparent as they age. When they are younger, communication comes primarily through their facial expressions, now is a good age to increase the importance of using words to express what they are feeling. Body language is also a very important aspect of communication that is usually not taught. Communication is important in ensuring a child can get across their wants and needs to others and be sure not to fall into depression, social withdrawal, or low self-esteem.
EXPRESS YOURSELF!
This can come in many forms. Try them all out!
FUN ACTIVITIES!
Telephone
Players must all stand in a circle or line. The first person in line or in the circle will whisper a phrase into the ear of the person to the right. Players will continue whispering to the person next to them until it reaches the last player. At this time, the last player will say the phrase out load so everyone can hear how much it changed.
Show & Tell
This activity involves children to pick an item from home or their bedroom to show to an audience. This audience can be peers at school or family members at home. The child can share a favorite item, a pet, a magic trick, a recipe, or an outfit. The goal is to have them explain why they chose what they did and a little bit about the item or skill.
Storytime
This activity will encourage children to explore creativity and make their own stories. Print out 10-15 different pictures with no context, then ask your child to make a story based off what they see in the pictures. To make it more fun, have multiple children make stories off the same set of pictures to explore different stories that could be made from the same set of pictures.
Dance Party
Time to get up and move! Have your child create a dance routine to one of their favorite songs, then have them perform their dance in front of friends or family members. To add to the fun, you could encourage them to teach you the dance they created.
FEELINGS
In a developing brain, knowing and understanding feelings is very important for encouraging positive mental health. Children who know how to express and cope with their feelings are more likely to be more empathetic and supportive, have more positive relationships, display less behavior issues, and have a positive sense of one’s self. Naming feelings is the first step in teaching kids how to identify feelings. It is not only important to recognize feelings in themselves, but also in others. You can help with this by helping your child talk about and identify different feelings shown in picture books or on a favorite show or movie.
FEELING WHEEL
FEELING WORDS
Look for these different feelings in the next movie you watch!
Fill out this wheel based on what things in your life make you feel that way!
BE UNIQUE
One of the most important lessons to teach a child is to be yourself. Celebrating differences should be a common occurrence with children, teaching them that being unique is a good thing. It is important to explain to your child that everyone has different backgrounds and experiences and that’s what makes them so great. In being unique, it is important to touch on inclusion and letting your child know that acceptance is important and if not given it will not be received. Everyone’s uniqueness should be celebrated no matter what.
WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE?
create YOUR OWN
UNIQUE SNOWFLAKE
No two snowflakes are the same-- just like people!
Create your own paper snowflakes. For every snowflake you make, write down something that makes you unique!
FUN ACTIVITY!
Can you think of any more?
Can you think of any more?