- Make a “feeling wheel” by dividing a paper plate into sections like a pizza using a marker. Poke a hole in the middle and turn it into a “feeling clock” making the hands of the clock out of a metal fastener or pipe-cleaner. For younger kids just use: mad, sad, happy, scared. For older kids have them add some feelings they come up with. Can be open-ended (What have you been feeling?) or about a specific topic- child can point the hands at one or more feelings. Alternate ideas: feeling index cards (draw faces and/or have child draw them), or feeling faces sheet or poster.
- Short stories or inspirational poems, such as “Meditations for Children,” but whatever you choose. Read aloud or take turns. Alternate idea: ask child questions, such as can they think of a time they felt like a character in the story or how they might feel in a situation in the story, or what’s their favorite part of the story so far.
- Activity Book: crafts and creative projects, sometimes holiday theme. Child can create things and also may give them as a gift, both which build esteem.
- Collage about a topic- can do with either individuals, a dyad, or a group. Cut out images and words from magazines and paste on board, or just draw a collage.
- Building Games: blocks, magnets/connects, Jenga, playdough- each time a turn is taken tell about a feeling. For playdough, child can make something and tell about it or use it as a character in a story they make up.
- Connecting Games: tossing something (promotes eye contact and connection, builds rapport). Tell about a feeling, then toss, or just have fun playing together. Good for attachment and social skills.
- Journaling: Teacher/Counselor/Parent can provide the leading sentence and child can take it from there, or can just be about a theme/topic. Child can choose to share the part of their journal writing they want to.
- Make puzzle together and with each piece one places they say something they like about themself, or another if in a group, or something they’re good at.
- Drawing of favorite vacation or place to go- can also do together.
- Rotating story, taking turns telling a part and can be a topic or open-ended. May also use puppets, stuffed animals, or figures, sandtray or tabletop. Enhances communication and linear sequential thinking while it promotes externalizing feelings and issues. Each person also comes up with their own ending. Builds thinking and communication skills, relationship, and self-esteem.
- Mindful breathing back to back taking turns following the leader.
Tags: Advice, Children, Mindfulness