EatMoveGrow

A Focus on Social Emotional Learning

CELEBRATING KINDNESS

This month EMG is focusing on the SEL concept of Kindness.

Scientific studies have proven there are many physical, emotional, and mental health benefits associated with kindness. As children's minds and bodies grow, it is evident that they thrive from a healthy dose of "warm-and-fuzzies" and develop into well-rounded individuals. It is important that children feel and experience kindness so they can respond by sharing it with others.

The good feelings we experience from kindness are a result of the endorphins produced in our brain. They activate areas of the brain that are associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust. These feelings are contagious. As acts of kindness spread, we form connections with others and happiness increases.

Eat Move Grow wants to encourage you to host a Kindness Week in your classroom or school community! We have included kindness week resources to help get you started.

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GoNoodle Activity

Click here to participate in an mindfulness activity that encourages students to always show kindness to themselves.

GoNoodle has some great SEL resources to share with you! Click on curricular resources at the top of the GoNoodle bar to find two sites with SEL activities. On the Channel tab, you will find All The Feels, which has resources to support students' mental and social growth; Think About It, which has breathing exercises to help students focus and regroup during the day; and Empower Tools, which has fun activities that energize the body and mind.

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Have You Filled a Bucket Today?

Looking for a fun way to teach students about spreading kindness?

In Have You Filled a Bucket Today?, Carol McCloud explores the idea that everyone carries around an invisible bucket everywhere they go. Our buckets are reminders of the benefits of positive thinking and kindness towards others. Each day we are either filling or dipping into each other's buckets by our thoughts and behaviors. When we choose to be kind, we fill up the buckets of those around us, as well as our own buckets. This book teaches students that showing kindness and appreciation towards others contributes to creating a positive environment in our homes, schools, and community.