Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Week 7 Let's 'Due Resiliency Together


Our aim is not to overwhelm you or your students during an already overwhelming time, so please know these resources and activities are not "have-to's.” Pick and choose any or all of these activities as ways to support the overall social and emotional growth of your child(ren).



Physical 

Do you know that yoga offers so many benefits to your health? Yoga can reduce your stress level, improve your sleep quality, and reminds you of the power of your breathing!

Here’s an example from the book Alphabreaths. Dolphin Breath- Breathe in as you lift your arms up high. Breathe out as you imagine diving into the ocean.

Can you come up with your own breathing technique?
Emotional 

What are you looking forward to when the stay-at-home order is lifted? 

Things we are missing now can become what we are looking forward to in the future! Hope in the future helps us feel better! Changing missing to looking forward is an example of cognitive reframing.  You can see Ms. Carey talk about this here and use it to make a Joy Jar. Make your very own Joy Jar to hold the things you are looking forward to.

What will be in your Joy Jar?






Social 

Does staying at home so much have you missing social events? What are some creative ways that you are staying connected, even at a distance? 

Here is one creative way that Ms. Carey is still socializing with “friends.” 

Want to share your creative ways of being social?  Put it on your favorite social media platform using the hashtag #social(ish) and tag @LadueSchools. 

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Week 6 Let's 'Due Resiliency Together





Our aim is not to overwhelm you or your students during an already overwhelming time, so please know these resources and activities are not "have-to's.” Pick and choose any or all of these activities as ways to support the overall social and emotional growth of your child(ren).







Physical 

Watch this video to learn why breathing helps our brains be at their very best. Practice some deep breathing with Breath With Me, or do deep breathing by imagining a hot bowl of soup and smelling it and then cooling it down with your breath.

Why is breathing so important? Every part of our body relies on oxygen. Breathing in oxygen the right way helps our brains work better, our bodies rest better, and the food we eat digest better. It keeps our immune systems at their best and reduces stress and anxiety.

Emotional 

Did you know music can help us feel our feelings and calm us at the same time? Music has taken on an even bigger role of easing the stress and uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Make your own playlist of songs you can listen to when feeling overwhelmed. Click the link above for suggestions. Share your playlist with your family and friends.






      
Social 

Did you know the week of May 4-8 is Teacher Appreciation Week? May 6 is also Nurse Appreciation Day!Did you know the week of May 4-8 is Teacher Appreciation Week? May 6 is also Nurse Appreciation Day!

Reach out and show some love to your teachers and nurse by sending them an email, writing them a poem, or making them a video telling them all the ways you appreciate them.

Provided by your Ladue Elementary School Counselors & Social Emotional Behavioral Team

Monday, April 20, 2020

Week 5 Let's 'Due Resiliency Together

Our aim is not to overwhelm you or your students during an already overwhelming time, so please know these resources and activities are not "have-to's.” Pick and choose any or all of these activities as ways to support the overall social and emotional growth of your child(ren).
Physical 

Did you know dancing has lots of health benefits? It can also improve your mood!


Get moving and dancing by following along to some dance videos such as the Cha Cha Slide, the Cupid Shuffle, the Macarena, or the YMCA (ask your parents what that is!). You can do the Floss, the Dab, or better yet… create your own and give it a fun name (e.g., the Shelter-in-Place Shuffle).



Emotional 


Are the days starting to feel long? Feel like you’re stuck in a movie that keeps replaying over and over?

A great way to combat this is to use positive self-talk! Telling yourself hopeful messages is a great way to persevere. Just like Dory says in the movie Finding Nemo, “Just keep swimming!” 


What is a motto that you can use to stay hopeful? Better yet, create one yourself! Share it with your counselor by emailing it to her. You can also download the following doodle coloring page and when it’s complete, you can hang it in your learning space to remind you when you start to feel discouraged.






      
Social 
Missing your friends? Craving connection? There are lots of ways to stay connected even during this time of social distancing.


Host a virtual play date for your friends!


Here are some ideas: have a show and tell, do a read-aloud with a friend, do a lip-synch battle, ask “would you rather” questions, or have a dance party! 

Click here for even more ideas!

Provided by your Ladue Elementary School Counselors & Social Emotional Behavioral Team

Monday, April 13, 2020

Week 4 Let's 'Due Resiliency Together

Our aim is not to overwhelm you or your students during an already overwhelming time, so please know these resources and activities are not "have-to's.” Pick and choose any or all of these activities as ways to support the overall social and emotional growth of your child(ren).


 
Physical 

Did you know doing chores is a great way to get exercise? 

Make a list of all the things you can do at home to help out AND get moving.

Helpful ideas: Unload the dishwasher, vacuum the floor, take out the trash, pick up after yourself, fold the laundry.

Emotional 

Did you know doing something nice for someone else makes them and you feel better? 

Kind ideas: Make a card or poster for your parents or another loved one. Leave a message on the bathroom mirror or their pillow.  Decorate their bedroom door. 





      
Social 
What is for dinner? 

Meals are a great time to socialize and connect with family members. Click here for some examples of fun conversation starters.

Yummy ideas: Make a simple meal to serve the family and/or come up with something to talk about when you are sharing a meal with your family. Make it extra special by decorating the table. 

Provided by your Ladue Elementary School Counselors & Social Emotional Behavioral Team

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Week 3 Let's 'Due Resiliency Together


Our aim is not to overwhelm you or your students during an already overwhelming time, so please know these resources and activities are not "have-to's.” Pick and choose any or all of these activities as ways to support the overall social and emotional growth of your child(ren).

      
Physical 

Hungry? Then it is time to re-fuel. Food supplies the nutrients needed to fuel your body so you can be your best.  Go, Slow, Whoa is a simple way to recognize foods that are the healthiest choices. 
• "Go" Foods: You can eat almost anytime -- low in fat and added sugar
• "Slow" Foods: You can eat sometimes -- higher in fat, added sugar
• "Whoa" Foods: You should only eat once in a while -- very high in fat and/or added sugar

Start using these words to think about what you are eating or track it by clicking here


Emotional 

What if?  Sometimes we hear scary information and start asking “What if...this bad thing….?”


Fred Rogers said: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” 

Who are your helpers? Can you name one helper?


      
Social 

Missing someone? Reach out with a virtual high-five or hug. Mail, email, or text a hug or high five to someone you care about. You can send a high five by tracing your hand and then draw or write a special message on the palm.


You can also make and mail a hug using the example shown.

Provided by your Ladue Elementary School Counselors & Social Emotional Behavioral Team

Week 2 Let's 'Due Resiliency Together



Our aim is not to overwhelm you or your students during an already overwhelming time, so please know these resources and activities are not "have-to's.” Pick and choose any or all of these activities as ways to support the overall social and emotional growth of your child(ren).

      
Physical 

Thirsty? Fluid Facts for Kids - Drinking water is the best way to get rid of that thirst. Children should have 5-7 glasses of water a day. Guess what this will do for you…
-Get rid of toxins (the icky stuff) in your body
-Make you feel more awake
-Boost your body’s ability to defend itself
-Help move all the good stuff you eat through your body
…..And so much more!!


Keep track of how much water you drink today. Did you make the 5-7 glass goal?



Emotional 

Do you have ANTS (Automatic Negative Thoughts)? If so, try reframing the negative thoughts.  


Example: 

ANT - I am not good at online learning. 

Reframe - I just started learning online and it will take time to figure it out. 
Write or draw your ANTs. Then write or draw a way to reframe them. Research says writing or drawing our feelings down is good for our immune system.


      
Social 

Missing your friends? Craving some connection? Chalk Your Walk! 


Use sidewalk chalk to write messages on your driveway or sidewalk to share positive messages for friends and neighbors. You could also draw a picture or put a positive message on a piece of paper and tape it to your front door or a window.


Provided by your Ladue Elementary School Counselors & Social Emotional Behavioral Team

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Week 1 Let's "Due Resiliency Together



Our aim is not to overwhelm you or your students during an already overwhelming time, so please know these resources and activities are not "have-to's.” Pick and choose any or all of these activities as ways to support the overall social and emotional growth of your child(ren).

      
Physical 

Kids need 10-11 hours of sleep.  Going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every day
can help our students reach this goal.  

Track when you go to sleep and wake up by writing the time down or drawing it on a piece of paper.   

Example:
Bedtime: 8pm 
Wake up time: 7:30am 
Total hours of sleep: 11.5 hours

Emotional 

Draw or write what is in your control and out of your control.

Example: 
I cannot control - A thunderstorm 
I can control - Telling someone how I am feeling, going to a safe place in my house, distracting myself with a game 


Social 

Playful Connections--Play a card or board game with your family.

No game available? Make your own charades! Write some actions on pieces of paper and put them in a hat or bag. Take turns picking one to act out without talking and see who can guess it.

Provided by your Ladue Elementary School Counselors & Social Emotional Behavioral Team