By Deborah Farmer Kris, KQED, September 23, 2021
As children file back into America’s classrooms, they bring with them “backpacks full of emotion,” says Katie Hurley, a child psychotherapist and author of "The Happy Kid Handbook." And they are counting on adults to “work together to help them sort it out.”
During children’s early years, teachers and caregivers have a prime opportunity to focus on emotional skills that support students’ academic achievement, wellness and sense of connectedness. Some of the most effective strategies are also the simplest – which is good, says Hurley, because “we are all running on empty.”
Check-In with Emotions
Many early childhood and elementary classrooms start the day with a date and weather check. This is a good place to also include a “feelings check,” says Hurley. For example, try creating pockets that are labeled with different emotions and asking kids to put a popsicle stick in the pocket that matches their mood. It’s a quick temperature check that allows the teacher to scan the class and see who might need a little extra attention. Families can also check in at dinner or before bed, taking turns sharing two or three words to describe their day.
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