Social Emotional Learning News

with Ms. Brennet

Happy April, Huckleberry Heroes!

March was a long month, but we made it to April! Can you believe it snowed earlier this week? I am hoping April brings us some warmer weather and it starts to really feel like Spring! Check out this month's SEL resources and activities below!

During the month of April, we will continue our Huckleberry Hero theme on Generosity and learn about how our Huckleberry Heroes show generosity at school, home, and in the community. We have enjoyed being able to share the at-home connection during our morning announcements and listening to ways our Huckleberry Heroes show generosity! If you haven't already completed this activity and are still wanting to, feel free to send yours back to school this month! We will continue to read stories, have class discussions, and create a school environment that is full of acts of generosity!

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Lynn Lyon's Podcast on Talking to Your Kids About the War in Ukraine

Lynn Lyons is an international speaker and psychotherapist based in Concord, New Hampshire who helps children and families manage anxiety disorders. In this episode, Lynn talks about how we find ourselves struggling to process the horrific news in, while also trying to help our children understand it. How do we manage our own big emotions and theirs during a time of uncertainty? Lynn offers guidance for helping your young child and/or teen through this challenging time.

Podcast Link

Why Kids Melt Down When They Come Home

Why kids melt down when they come home from school - and why experts say it's a 'good sign'

If you've witnessed your kids fall apart right after you pick them up from school or as soon as they walk through the front door, you're not alone. It's sometimes called restraint collapse or, more commonly, a meltdown. But it's not just any meltdown.

yahoo.com

Yoga for School-Aged Children

More than just a game: Yoga for school-age children - Harvard Health

Yoga is becoming increasingly popular among American children. Emerging research has shown that yoga has a number of physical and psychological benefits for children, and many classrooms now integrate yoga into a typical school day. Yoga can also be a great way for parents and children to play and interact ...

health.harvard.edu

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Spring Flower Sensory Bottle

Do you enjoy playing "I Spy"? Now you can make your very own "I Spy" spring themed bottle. I wonder how many different spring themed items you can include! You can also use your bottle to help calm your body. "I Spy" bottles are a wonderful tool to help us calm our bodies and distract our brains! Check out the link below for instructions and ideas of different objects you can include in your bottle.

Instructions

Supporting vs. Enabling

Supporting vs Enabling - Child Mind Institute

Why do parents spoon-feed babies, but expect healthy fourth graders to feed themselves? Because babies aren't able to do the task alone, but older kids can. One of the basic ways we distinguish support from coddling is by assessing what children are capable of doing.

smore.com

Change Negative Thinking Patterns

How to Change Negative Thinking Patterns - Child Mind Institute

Children can be their own worst critics. This is particularly true for kids with mental health disorders, who may be especially down on themselves. They can get stuck in negative thinking patterns that contribute to depression, amp up their anxiety, or make painful emotions feel overwhelming.

smore.com

Mindful Apps

Headspace

Calm

Breathe, Think, Do

Parent Resources

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School Adjustment Counselor Website

Looking for more resources? Check out the Adjustment Counselor website for SEL information, resources, and more!

School Adjustment Counselor Website

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I'm On Twitter

Ms. Brennet is officially on Twitter. Follow my page for SEL updates, articles, and other helpful tips throughout the school year.

@msbrennetHHS

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WILLIAM JAMES INTERFACE REFERRAL SERVICE

The Interface referral service is a mental health and wellness referral help line. Callers from Lynnfield are matched with licensed mental health providers from their database and are matched by location, insurance and specialty needs of the caller.

The number to reach is 888-244-6843 and they can be reached Monday-Friday from 9-5.

https://interface.williamjames.edu/

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A HEALTHY LYNNFIELD MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE LIST

We are including this comprehensive list as it is a great resource for mental health resources in our area.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-xLJDUNz7g-oD6e-3Rmclvw75nmSWzQJ/view

Hand Hold

"You might be noticing your child is struggling in new ways, or that old problems are getting worse. We’ve curated a collection of resources that you can try at home today and organizations that we know can help."

Therapy Matcher

"Therapy Matcher provides free, personalized, and confidential referrals to licensed social workers across Massachusetts."