My students need a feelings carpet, story tales, puppets and emotion stones for a variety of ways to understand emotions and tell their story to feel safe and understood which makes learning possible!
Every student in my class is experiencing the public school for the first time. They are beginning their educational journey and come with various needs and talents. It is important that where they come from is utilized to inspire learning, but sometimes is can hinder learning. Springfield is a town with many wonderful characteristics, however, it is also a town that is know for high rates of child abuse, meth use, opioid abuse and an increase in the rates of mental illness. Our little friends have experienced a lot of what we wish they hadn't. As a result learning can be difficult when all they are wanting is safety and love.
My Project
My friends in pre-K need to know feelings are fun and not frightening! We can experience all kinds of feelings and still be friends. Oftentimes children are not empowered to express their feelings so they only know how to identify happy, angry and sad. Using the puppets, legos and games I can help them look at feelings in a fun way and begin to describe all of the other amazing ways we can feel such as excited, anxious, worried, or jealous. No matter what has happened at home they can be listened to and affirmed at school.
When children come to understand that it is ok to feel all kinds of ways they begin to feel understood and, in turn, are better at understanding their friends point of view.
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