# data[].attributes.body
Here are some resources I have collected for my Grace Project.

My Grace Project will be with my students and all students at my school.  I work at a very economically disadvantaged school and many students have gone through a lot.  I was going to create a time during recess where students would be able to come and learn practices for self-love, journaling, stress relieving techniques and just a time where they might need someone to talk to.

My focus for these students will be helping them cope with even little things they deal with, such as fights with friends on the playground and giving them techniques that will help them process their emotions in positive ways.  I am very intrapersonal and journaling, yoga, meditation all help me clear my mind and set my intentions.  I would love to give these students skills for being able to cope with stress.  I have many students who come to me and say they do not want to go to recess because of fights or feeling alone, some are wanting to talk to me, but I do not always have the time.  My grace project will help me also take time to listen to their ideas, thoughts, worries and struggles; it will give me a moment to slow down.

I will give students the strategies to cope with stress through art: giving students the chance to use creative expression as a therapeutic tool.  Music: we can listen to music, discuss the lyrics, sing and or write some music.  Dance: we can maybe find time to get silly and dance our stress away.

The happiness they will get from this will feed my soul as well with happiness and a sense of joy from serving with a whole heart.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - They've become known as Generation C - you may know them as your own sons or daughters - young children and teenagers whose lives have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

You may have noticed they've become more stressed, more anxious or depressed and are having trouble coping with the demands of family life and school. More have turned to drugs, violence and even suicide.
READ MORE: Retired Center Township K-9 Ingo Dies
At Linton Middle School in Penn Hills, counselor Mary Wakefield runs a class called New Direction. In the past, students who've gotten in trouble for fights or disruptions would have gone to the principal's office. Now, they're sent to the New Direction class.

"You've got stress, anxiety," she said. "You have a number of things going on with these students."

A sixth-grader named Chase is one of those students. He's fallen behind academically after a year of hybrid and virtual learning.

Chase: It was bad.
KDKA: Why?
Chase: It's hard to do my work at home. I get a lot of distractions when I'm in my house.

Another student named Davon endured a difficult re-entry into school because of fights.

"People talking about me, making me mad," he said. "I get angry - altercations and stuff."

Wakefield said it's not just their classroom learning that's a little rusty.

"They don't know how to socialize like they used to," she said. "Their academics have fallen far behind. So it's crucial that they be in class and learning, because it's affected them so much."

To keep students in school, New Direction has three classrooms - a darkened, quiet room for calming; a private room where they can get individual attention and a group room where they discuss ways to better cope with the world.

"When we're here, we're trying to get you to rethink your decisions," Wakefield told the students. "If you've made a bad decision, we're trying to get you to think about how you could change it and make a good decision."

Mental health is a district-wide concern. In the hallways, traditional security guards are replaced with a team of Youth Engagement Specialists. They intercede in any fights and offer on-the-spot counseling to students starving for attention and in dire need of some assurance.

"A lot of them come up to my team (and ask), 'Can I talk to you?'" engagement specialist Bill Deely said. "A lot of them come up and start to cry with different problems they're having. A lot of it is based on the pandemic that we're going through."
READ MORE: Port Authority Union Seeks Preliminary Injunction Against COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Allegheny County mental health services For children, youth and young adults Pitt STAR-Center
Penn Hills Superintendent Nancy Hines put the pieces of the team in place prior to the pandemic in response to fights and gun violence. She said educators need to go deeper, addressing the whole student.

"We're going to save this generation," she said. "There's just no alternative answer. We have to do it. Whatever it takes we have to step up."

United Way Community Pulse Report
Safe 2 Say Something: 1-844-723-2729

Resolve 24/7 crisis services: 888-796-8226

Suicide prevention line: 1-800-273-8255

Suicide prevention text line: Text "HOME" to 74174

Center for Victims 24/7 Crisis Line: 1-866-644-2882

Trans Lifeline 24/7 hotline: 877-565-8860

Trevor Project for LGBTQIA+ youth 24/7 hotline: 1-866-488-7386

Trevor Project for LGBTQIA+ youth: Text "START" to 678678
MORE NEWS: Peters Township Man Accused Of Growing Marijuana In Basement
PAAR (Pittsburgh Action Against Rape): 1-866-363-7273

Upstreetpgh.org for 12-22 year olds to CHAT NOW.

***Call 911 in an immediate safety or crisis situation***

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Generation C: Kids More Stressed, More Anxious At School In The Age Of COVID

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - They've become known as Generation C - you may know them as your own sons or daughters - young children and teenagers whose lives have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. You may have noticed they've become more stressed, more anxious or depressed and are having trouble coping with the demands of family life and school.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Identifying your child's emotional and behavioral reactions to stress is crucial, experts say, especially when anxieties are high.

Credit... Lucy Jones

Families are under an extraordinary amount of pressure right now, and the next few months will provide little relief. The trials of 2020 include economic uncertainty, winter dread, an emotionally charged presidential election and a worrying rise in coronavirus cases. Then there's the disrupted school year, remote learning and few (or no) options for child care. (That's an abbreviated list.)

Experts are understandably concerned about how all of this might be affecting kids' mental and behavioral health. In October, the American Academy of Pediatrics released new clinical interim guidance on how to support the emotional needs of children during the pandemic, emphasizing the vital role parents can play.

"Even in the midst of very trying times, there are ways to promote resilience, and families can do that," said Dr. Carol Weitzman, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician and the co-director of the Autism Spectrum Center at Boston Children's Hospital who co-authored the academy's guidelines.

So how can you tell if your kids are stressed, and what can you do to put them at ease? Here are some tips for children of all ages.

It's easy to assume that young children, and babies in particular, are less susceptible to stress than older kids. But even children as young as 3 months old can sense when their parents are angry or sad, and can feel those emotions themselves, according to Zero to Three, a nonprofit headquartered in Washington, D.C., that educates parents, professionals and policymakers about the developmental needs of babies and toddlers.

If your child's routines have been disrupted during the pandemic, or if your family is coping with divorce; illness; job loss; problems with mental health or substance abuse; or a death in the family, it's normal for little kids to experience a regression of skills they had previously mastered. If your daughter is fully potty trained, for example, you might notice more bathroom accidents.

Preschool-aged children may "ruminate on stories of monsters and other dangerous creatures, have difficulties in both sleeping and staying asleep, and report having nightmares," said Kathleen Mulrooney, the program director for infant and early childhood mental health at Zero to Three. Some preschoolers will become angry if normal activities like play dates or preschool are disrupted, or they might express anxiety and sadness in their everyday play, she added. They might also develop separation anxiety.

Eating habits can change, too. Some kids eat more when they are stressed and others eat less.

Keep in mind that it's normal for little kids to regress at different points in their development, or to sometimes eat a lot one day and very little the next. And every child becomes more difficult if they are hungry or tired. But if you notice more intense behaviors that make you concerned or distressed - like lengthier, more frequent tantrums, for example - trust your gut and consider getting additional support to help you cope, said Mulrooney.

This might mean consulting with trusted friends or family members who can offer resources or wisdom; or with a pediatrician or other experts who specialize in infant development, depending on the nature of the problem, Mulrooney added.

Older kids are also struggling right now. In a recent American Psychological Association survey of more than 1,000 teenagers between 13 and 17 in the U.S., 43 percent said that their stress levels have increased over the past year.

When middle schoolers or teenagers are stressed, they might purposely hide their worries because of "fear, shame or a sense of responsibility to avoid burdening others," according to the A.A.P.

They might also pull away or become hostile or irritable toward their family, withdraw from long-term friends or complain more than usual. And just like younger kids, some teens will cry; sleep too much or too little; or eat more (or less) than usual, said Emma Adam, a professor of human development and social policy at Northwestern University.They might also have trouble concentrating or physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches or muscle tension, she added.

"You're looking for major changes in your child's behavior," she said.

Another sign of stress, found among both school-age children and teenagers, is negative self-talk.

You want to listen for a lot of "I can't" statements, said Mary Alvord, a psychologist based in Rockville, Md., and the author of "Conquer Negative Thinking for Teens."

For example, if your child is struggling to finish a homework assignment, he might say, "I can't do this, I'm not as smart as the other kids in class."

Your child might also say negative things about others or their environment: "Everyone is so stupid" or "Nothing here is fun."

Because infants and toddlers are finely attuned to their parents - reacting to the way they're held, changes in their daily routine, tone of voice and facial expressions - it's important to keep your own stress levels in check.

"When parents are stressed and worried, kids become stressed and worried," Dr. Weitzman said.
[How to cope when you're feeling anxious.]
Next, think about your child's personality traits. If your child is typically resistant to change, for instance, try to keep her routines in tact as much as possible. Alternatively, if your child tends to take things in stride, you can have more flexibility with her routines, but even she might need extra support at times. Tell her about new situations and activities ahead of time so that she can talk about them with you, Zero to Three advises.

"You can't change temperament," Dr. Weitzman said. But, she added, you can change your child's environment to best meet her needs.

When parents are aware of their children's needs, their kids "function better, feel better, think more positively and are better able to adapt to difficult circumstances," Dr. Alvord said.

The experts also said it's important to ask kids about what's on their mind. "Expressions of warmth and love and caring from parents still matter," Dr. Adam said. And so does consistency.

Teens in particular "do their best to drive their parents away," she added. Don't let them.

Consider having a weekly check-in to see how everyone in the family is doing. Let your child know that you're there for them if they want to talk. If they don't, reassure them that you're there for them in other ways, even if it's simply to give them a hug or have family dinner together.

Dr. Adam suggested a sample script: "These are unusual times for our family and for our society, so I think we need time to talk about it. We each experience things differently. So let's make time every Thursday at dinner to check in with one another."

If your child is having negative thoughts, focus on helping to reframe their thoughts in a more positive way.

"The thoughts lead to the emotions," Dr. Alvord said. If your child approaches his homework with a positive thought like, "This is a tough assignment, but I know I can figure it out," those words will guide the way in which he tackles the problem as well as his outlook and how he feels about himself.

Finally, if your family recently experienced a loss of some kind - the death of a loved one or even something less traumatic but still upsetting, like the absence of play dates - your child might be experiencing grief and will need time to process her emotions. Give her the support and space that she needs.

"Sometimes it's OK not to feel OK," Dr. Alvord said. "You just have to sort of sit with the emotions. And that's where parents can help kids, by listening and validating the feelings."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
It's Not Just Adults Who Are Stressed. Kids Are, Too.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Identifying your child's emotional and behavioral reactions to stress is crucial, experts say, especially when anxieties are high. Families are under an extraordinary amount of pressure right now, and the next few months will provide little relief. The trials of 2020 include economic uncertainty, winter dread, an emotionally charged presidential election and a worrying rise in coronavirus cases.

# data[].attributes.headline
Teaching Students to set boundaries for healthy friendships

# data[].attributes.subject
Teaching Students to set boundaries for healthy friendships

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
"Being aware of our feelings is a building block for our emotional and social intelligence. In this charming and creative book, Christina Furnival offers children a way to sense and shape their emotions that emerge in the important friendships that shape who we are now, and who we will become later on in our lives."
―Daniel J. Siegel, MD, New York Times bestselling author of The Developing Mind, Parenting from the Inside Out, and The Whole Brain Child

The Not-So-Friendly Friend is a recipient of the prestigious Gold Award from Mom's Choice Awards®

How can I help my child deal with a bully?
What do I teach them about handling an on-again-off-again, not-so-friendly friend?
My advice to "just be kind" isn't helping, and my child is still hurting.

Christina Furnival, a licensed mental health therapist and mom, helps answer these questions in this charming and engaging rhyming story about a young child who successfully navigates the complexities of an unkind peer relationship.

In The Not-So-Friendly Friend, children will learn an easy and practical lesson about how to firmly and assertively―yet kindly―stand up for themselves in the face of a bully. By teaching children about the importance and value of setting boundaries for healthy friendships, this book provides children the tools they need to foster their social confidence and emotional well-being.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Not-So-Friendly Friend: How To Set Boundaries for Healthy Friendships

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Not-So-Friendly Friend: How To Set Boundaries for Healthy Friendships [Christina Furnival, Katie Dwyer] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Not-So-Friendly Friend: How To Set Boundaries for Healthy Friendships

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Lo sentimos, la página que usted busca no se ha podido encontrar. Puede intentar su búsqueda de nuevo o visitar la lista de temas populares.

To the over 60,000 California educators who participated in the Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids Project incentive awards, we thank you for taking the time to review a sample of the Project's resources and provide valuable feedback. Among those surveyed:

86%

rated our videos as either "Excellent" (50%) or "Good" (36%)

76%

have either used or plan to use Project materials in their classrooms

82%

of those who used these resources reported that their students benefitted

Though the incentive program has ended, the resources are free for all to view or download, right here.

Elementary School Teachers

The elementary-age videos feature hedgehog characters in imaginative stories to teach key skills in a way that kids will enjoy watching and remember longer.

There are 5 episodes in the series, each teaching a different mental health skill. Corresponding activity sheets summarize and reinforce key ideas in each video. You can show students the entire series in one session, or show each episode individually.

Watch Individual Episodes

Middle School Teachers

The middle school-age videos feature an engaging host and interviews with a diverse group of real kids. They teach key skills while normalizing the challenges kids face and sparking productive conversations.

There are 5 episodes in the series, each teaching a different mental health skill. Corresponding activity sheets summarize and reinforce key ideas in each video. You can show students the entire series in one session, or show each episode individually.

Watch Individual Episodes

High School Teachers

The high school-age videos feature an engaging host and interviews with a diverse group of teens. They teach key skills while normalizing the challenges kids face and sparking productive conversations.

There are 5 episodes in the series, each teaching a different mental health skill. Corresponding activity sheets summarize and reinforce key ideas in each video. You can show students the entire series in one session, or show each episode individually.

Watch Individual Episodes

These Simple Skills Can Make a World of Difference for Our Kids

Educational resources grounded in the expertise of the Child Mind Institute

Optimized through services delivered to over 60,000 students, caregivers and educators in over 600 schools

Stay Updated

Enter your email address to learn about new articles, videos and other resources from the Child Mind Institute.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Teach Mental Health Coping Skills - Healthy Minds

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Evidence-based resources can help you teach students the mental health skills they need to be more ready to learn.

# data[].attributes.headline
This Grace Project will help me: the health benefits of kindness

# data[].attributes.subject
This Grace Project will help me: the health benefits of kindness

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Mental Health Foundation Error 404 page.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Kid President + Glad to Give present How Good Spreads

# data[].attributes.headline
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

# data[].attributes.subject
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Every Child Can Thrive by Five | Molly Wright | TED

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Positive Affirmations for Kids | Boost Confidence & Self-Esteem | Calming & Mindful Daily Practice

# data[].attributes.headline
Getting pages like this for students to color if needed and giving them a message of Self Love

# data[].attributes.subject
Getting pages like this for students to color if needed and giving them a message of Self Love

# data[].attributes.headline
I have a lot of 2nd grade students who fight with other students, this will help me with techniques to teach them to process conflict with their friends. 

# data[].attributes.subject
I have a lot of 2nd grade students who fight with other students, this will help me with techniques to teach them to process conflict with their friends. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Conflict: It's great for drama, and an inescapable part of human progress, but it can make for fraught situations in the classroom.

Conflict can happen even in the most supportive, positive, and open classrooms, disrupting your students' ability to learn. If left unchecked, it could even lead to violence.

Many districts may offer some type of conflict resolution training. Even if yours doesn't, the good news for educators who are caught in the middle of classroom conflict is that there are many options for conflict resolution.

This article discusses strategies for dealing with conflict between students, as well as with an angry, disruptive student. And because conflict resolution is part of a child's social and emotional development, we've included a few activities to help teach conflict resolution skills in the classroom.

Conflict Resolution Steps to Help Students Grow

Ask 100 people what conflict resolution is, and you'll probably get 100 different answers. But there are concrete steps you can take to settle problems in the classroom. Not every conflict will be the same, and so not every conflict can be resolved in the same manner. But understanding basic strategies can help most situations.

Depending on the situation, there are several different options for conflict resolution. Here are some examples.

Conflicts Among Students

Sometimes the spark that ignites conflict seems simple, like interrupting another student or using someone else's property without permission. While these types of conflicts may be small-scale, researchers have found that violence can stem from relatively small conflicts, so handling disputes quickly is paramount.[3]

When something comes up, educators should take time to SOAR: Stop, Observe, Assess, and React.[6] Then you can acknowledge the emotions in the room and use the situation as a learning opportunity.

In cases where there's been a larger conflict between two students, here are six steps teachers can use to help students resolve a dispute:[4]

1. Cool off
First, before problem-solving can begin, the students need time to calm down. For younger students, have them take some deep breaths.

2. Share, listen, check
Students need to listen to each other share their issues, and then check that they understand them. This can take practice and coaching from a teacher. When sharing, students should use respectful but assertive "I statements," like ""I feel sad when you don't let me play because I am alone." Students can work on reflective listening and paraphrasing when they check for understanding. For example, they can start sentences with "I think I heard you say you feel ..." or "So you want me to try to ...".

3. Take responsibility
Once students have shared their perspectives, they need to take responsibility for their own actions. You can prompt students by asking them an open-ended question like, "What could you have done differently to change what happened?"

4. Brainstorm solutions
Now the students can work together to find a solution that's acceptable to both. This is a good time for students to learn to compromise. It can be helpful for a teacher to start the discussion with some suggestions, but it's best that the ideas come from the students.

5. Choose a solution
Students now go over their brainstormed list of solutions to eliminate the ones that aren't good for both of them and ones that won't address future problems.

6. Affirm, forgive, or thank
Students can close out the session by acknowledging what happened and forgiving the other student (if an apology or forgiveness is warranted). They can then thank each other for working on the solution together.

Helping An Angry Student

Sometimes an educator needs to deal with a student who's angry and causing a disruption in the classroom. York University in Canada has the following suggestions for such a case:[2]

Stay calm and polite and keep your own emotions under control. Keep eye contact and speak clearly-without raising your voice. (Note that some cultures may view eye contact as confrontational. Other non-verbal cues that show you are paying attention may be helpful.)

Offer to talk privately during a break in class, or to go to a quieter place if it's safe. Acknowledge the student's anger and let them vent to you about what is upsetting them. Listen and try to understand the real issues that are concerning the student. During your conversation, summarize and clarify your understanding of what the student has said. Don't disagree with the student, but build on what they have said.

You can help the student by giving them a way out-letting them gracefully back down from a heightened situation. This can be done again with open-ended questions that help the child calm down and understand what actually frustrated them in the first place.

Finally, encourage your student to generate solutions to the problem being addressed. Restate and reassure the child when they present a reasonable solution to the conflict.

Conflict Resolution Activities and Games for Children

Learning how to handle disagreements and conflict is a critical part of social-emotional learning (SEL). Social skills like cooperation, empathy, and self-control are integral to emotional development and conflict resolution.[1] Helping students develop strong social-emotional learning skills and build the competencies laid out by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) can strengthen children's intellectual development, leading to lifelong success.

Incorporating fun activities and games in the classroom can help teach essential conflict resolution and social-emotional skills to children.

One place to start is simply by reading. Read-alouds can prompt class discussions about empathy, different perspectives, and the virtues of patience. Regular reading and discussion about these themes, and how they relate to real-world conflict resolution, can help children build their ability to handle conflicts.[5] Children may also benefit from coming up with other ways for characters to handle situations in the books.

Group activities like role playing help children understand differing perspectives, while also being fun for the class. When they're put in a situation and portraying something different from what they're used to, children learn empathy and practice considering other peoples' points of view. For younger students, it can be helpful to have a discussion after the role play to remind them they were playing a different "character," and to ensure students learned from the fun activity.[3]

When conflict arises, having the students involved write or draw a picture about what happened can be helpful for several reasons.[6] First, it sets a cooling-off period. It also encourages them to reflect on what happens and how it made them feel. Teachers can help students consider their actions by prompting them with questions like, "What would you choose to do differently?" or "How did this make you feel?"[3]

No two situations are the same, but generally these strategies can help create a peaceful and constructive classroom. When you're dealing with any level of conflict, remember that the goal is not just to end the argument, but to use the situation to help empower students to grow and learn how to solve their own problems.
Sources:

1. Responsive Classroom. "A Conflict Resolution Protocol for Elementary Classrooms." March 2001. https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/a-conflict-resolution-protocol-for-elementary-classrooms/

2. Teaching Commons at York. "Managing Conflict in the Classroom." York University. https://teachingcommons.yorku.ca/resources/teaching-strategies/managing-conflict-in-the-classroom/

3. The Resilient Educator. "4 Effective Conflict Resolution Strategies in the Classroom." April, 2018. https://resilienteducator.com/classroom-resources/4-effective-conflict-resolution-strategies-in-the-classroom/

4. Driscoll, Laura. "Teaching Conflict Resolution Skills in 6 Easy Steps." Social Emotional Workshop. October, 2017. https://www.socialemotionalworkshop.com/2017/10/teaching-conflict-resolution-skills/

5. Curletto, Amy. "Quick & Effective Conflict Resolution Strategies for the Classroom." Stanfield.com. https://stanfield.com/quick-effective-conflict-resolution-strategies-for-the-classroom/

6. Center for Teaching Innovation. "Getting Started with Managing Classroom Conflict." Cornell University. https://teaching.cornell.edu/resource/getting-started-managing-classroom-conflict

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Classroom Conflict Resolution Techniques - Waterford.org

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Conflict can happen even in the most supportive classrooms, disrupting your students' ability to learn. Here are some classroom conflict resolution techniques you can use.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What if some of the best self-awareness quotes could motivate kids to explore their inner selves and how they can contribute to the world around them?
This is exactly what an inspiring quote can offer!

Self-awareness is the ability to examine and understand who we are relative to the world around us. It is developed through skills like self-reflection, meaning-making, and the process of honing core values and beliefs. Self-awareness impacts young people's capacity to see themselves as uniquely different from other people.

Parents and teachers stimulate self-awareness when they engage youth in reflective conversations about values, beliefs, attitudes, and moral dilemmas. When adults encourage youth to understand and attend to their intellectual, emotional, social, and physical selves, they help young people understand the value of their full human potential.

Self-awareness quotes that focus on the value of knowing our inner selves can help children appreciate and celebrate their differences. Wise people from throughout history have talked about the importance of self-awareness, from Aristotle to Oprah Winfrey!

There are many memorable self-awareness quotes that can stimulate a child's inner development. When parents and teachers use these quotes to engage children in conversations about values, beliefs, and moral dilemmas, kids better understand themselves and others. They begin to "think about their thinking," a metacognitive skill essential to the development of self-awareness. Children see that self-awareness can lead to gratitude, hope, optimism, mindfulness, wisdom, and many other internal strengths that enrich their lives.

This article is fifth in a nine-part series on how adults can promote learning and development using inspiring quotes for kids. You may wish to read the introductory article to learn how the entire collection of 200 quotes is related to The Compass Advantage, a framework for positive youth development.

The following self-awareness quotes are short, simple, and memorable. Children from elementary through high school will find meaning in these quotes appropriate to their level of development and understanding.

25 Kid-Friendly Self-Awareness Quotes

Don't let the noise of other opinions drown your own inner voice.

Steve Jobs

when you embrace your difference, your dna, your look or heritage or religion or your unusual name, that's when you start to shine.

Bethenny Frankel

The destination isn't in finding yourself. The destination is in the search.

Thomas Warfield

I knew who I was this morning but I've changed a few times since then.

Lewis Carroll

Find out who you are and do it on purpose.

Dolly Parton

Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.

C.G. Jung

Why fit in when you were born to stand out?

Dr. Seuss

All adventures, especially into new territory, are scary.

Sally Ride

Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.

Eckhart Tolle

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.

Arianna Huffington

The hardest challenge is to be yourself in a world where everyone is trying to make you be somebody else.

E.E. Cummings

Step out of the history that is holding you back. Step into the new story you are willing to create.

Oprah Winfrey

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.

Aristotle

The challenge is not to be perfect...it's to be whole.

Jane Fonda

The only questions that really matter are the ones you ask yourself.

Ursula K. LeGuin

I delight in what I fear.

Shirley Jackson

Numbing the pain for a while will only make it worse when you finally feel it.

J.K. Rowling

Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it.

Brene Brown

Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you
have an obligation to be one.

Eleanor Roosevelt

A man sooner or later discovers that he is the master-gardener of his soul,
the director of his life.

James Allen

The willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life is the source from which self-respect springs.

Joan Didion

Most of us can read the writing on the wall; we just assume it's addressed to
someone else.

Ivern Ball

The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to
your adventure.

Joseph Campbell

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.

Antione de Saint-Exupery

Self-Awareness Quotes: Discussion Starters

The following discussion starters are designed to help parents, teachers, and after-school program leaders engage children with quotes about self-awareness.

What does it mean to be self-aware?

What are your favorite quotes about self-awareness from the list? Why?

Do you see yourself as a self-aware person? Why or why not?

Describe a self-aware person you know or have learned about. What do you most admire about that person? Why?

What are you most aware of about yourself that others see as an asset?

How do people actively learn to gain self-awareness?

How does being self-aware affect the quality of our everyday lives?

Self-Awareness in Action

In what ways could your self-awareness help others?

What problems in the world, such as those related to homelessness or health, would self-awareness help contribute to solutions?

Your Favorite Self-Awareness Quotes

Do you have any favorite quotes about self-awareness that help kids recognize the value of reflection, gratitude, mindfulness, hope, optimism, vitality, vulnerability, and other aspects of their inner selves? We'd love to add to our collection by inviting you to share your quotes in the comments section below.

Additional Activities and the Wisdom Archive

There are many fun activities using quotes that can become learning opportunities for children. One activity is to have children develop their own quote that might inspire others. They could choose one of the abilities in the Compass Advantage on which to focus their original quote. Quotes can become artwork to be posted at home or school.

Children can be invited to think about other human values, like humor, tolerance, justice, respect, optimism, etc. They can search the Wisdom Archive, a wonderful quote search engine, for quotations that speak to them. A listing can be compiled of quotes with the most meaning, or posters can be created for home or school. Ideas are only limited by children's imagination!

Articles in the Quotes for Kids Series

Quotes for Kids That Promote Healthy Development ( Series Introduction)

Quotes About Curiosity That Inspire Kids' Life-Long Learning ( Curiosity)

Motivational Quotes for Kids That Help Build Positive Relationships ( Sociability)

Quotes About Resilience That Foster Children's Determination and Self-Confidence ( Resilience)

Self-Awareness Quotes That Help Kids Explore Their Inner Selves ( Self-Awareness)

Integrity Quotes That Teach Kids the Importance of Character ( Integrity)

Quotes about Goals That Motivate Kids Toward Success ( Resourcefulness)

Creativity Quotes That Inspire Kids' Inner Genius ( Creativity)

Kindness Quotes That Teach Kids to Care ( Empathy)

Published: June 26, 2018

Comments are closed.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Self-Awareness Quotes That Help Kids Explore Their Inner Selves | Roots of Action

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What if some of the best self-awareness quotes could motivate kids to explore their inner selves and how they can contribute to the world around them? This is exactly what an inspiring quote can offer! Self-awareness is the ability to examine and understand who we are relative to the world around us.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Yoga Club About Exploring Feelings (Week 78) 😋😞😂 I  Cosmic Kids Yoga

# data[].attributes.headline
Breathwork has helped me during stressful times and I want to share tips with young students who can learn to use this as a tool when they need it.

# data[].attributes.subject
Breathwork has helped me during stressful times and I want to share tips with young students who can learn to use this as a tool when they need it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When you learn that your breath is linked to your state, you have it in your power to keep a steady head whenever you need. 'Take a deep breath' is wonderful and simple wisdom, but it can be harder than you think when you are feeling a little challenged - one of the reasons why we practice it in yoga!

I use breathing techniques regularly in the kids yoga classes I run. Here are five simple and fun breathing techniques which help kids learn how their breath connects with how they feel:

These techniques can be helpful for some respiratory problems like asthma.

1. Hot Air Balloon

Sitting in a comfortable cross-legged position, start by cupping your hands round your mouth. Take a deep breath in through your nose and slowly start to blow out through your mouth, growing your hands outwards in time with your exhale as if you are blowing up an enormous hot air balloon. Once your balloon is as big as it can be (and you've finished your exhale), breath normally as you sway gently from side to side admiring your big beautiful hot air balloon as it soars through the sky. This long deep exhalation as you blow up your hot air balloon has a relaxing effect and the image is incredibly vivid for kids' imaginations. If you want to see the hot air balloon in action check out Squish the Fish!

2. Dragon Fire Breaths

Interlace the fingers underneath the chin. Inhale and lift the elbows up to frame the face. Exhale, lifting the head up making a whispered 'hah' sound towards the sky, like a dragon breathing fire. At the same time, lower the elbows back down to meet at the bottom again by the end of the 'hah' exhale. This breath technique builds strength and heat within so is a good energiser. It helps us feel brave when we might be nervous or pepped up when we're a bit tired. I use Dragon Fire Breaths in Parsnip and Pedro the Penguin, and in our upcoming episode Enzo the Bee!

3. Tumble Dryer

Sitting in cross-legged position, point your index fingers towards each other and position them so your left finger is pointing to the right and your right finger is pointing to the left overlapping a bit in front of your mouth and blow as you spin your fingers round each other, making a lovely long exhalation and a satisfying swishy sound. This works well after washing machine, which involves sitting in a cross-legged position, interlacing your fingers behind your head and twisting from your core side to side going "wishy washy wishy washy" as you twist each way.

4. Tongue Tube

Some people can curl the sides of their tongue up, others can't... it's a genetic thing! If you can, curl up the sides and make your tongue into a tube or straw. Then with your tube-like tongue sticking out a little bit, inhale and suck the air in over your tongue. Exhale slowly through your nose. This has a wonderful cooling effect and refreshes the throat. Very cleansing! If you can't do the curling thing with the sides of your tongue, you can instead get all the same benefits of the refreshing breath by doing a big toothy grin and sucking in the air sharply.

5. Bumble Bee Breaths

Known as Bhramari in Pranayama practice. Pranayama being the control of the breath in Yoga. Sitting comfortably with your legs crossed, breath in through your nose, then with fingers in your ears hum out your exhalation. The lovely comforting resonance of this has a calming effect and done with eyes closed can make it even more peaceful.

Please let me know how you get on!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Five Fun Breathing Exercises For Kids - Cosmic Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When you learn that your breath is linked to your state, you have it in your power to keep a steady head whenever you need. 'Take a deep breath' is wonderful and simple wisdom, but it can be harder than [...]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This blog post contains affiliate links. This means if you click through and make a purchase, I may make a very small commission at no extra cost to you. I promise to only ever recommend products I love myself.
What if there was a way to build your child's resilience, improve their self esteem, help them build important social skills, nurture and encourage positive emotions, help them feel happier and protect their mental and physical health, all in just 10 minutes per day? Would you do it?

You're nodding right?! Of course you are. You'd be crazy not to.

So here's the good news. You can do all of that: with gratitude.

In fact, studies show that expressing gratitude for the people and things in our lives can leave us feeling happy for up to one month afterwards. I've written about the importance of gratitude for children, and its benefits before. So if you're after some general tips for encouraging gratitude in your child, you can find some here.

But as parents, we can help our kids learn to notice and express thanks for the positive things in their lives and build skills that will last a lifetime, in just a few minutes a day. By helping them start a gratitude journal.

A gratitude journal for children is a simple and effective way to build resilience and give kids important coping skills. Plus, journaling is a great opportunity to improve writing skills in young kids, too! Here are 6 simple tips to help you get started.

6 tips to start a gratitude journal for children

1. Start with a story

Gratitude can be a bit of a tricky concept for young children to grasp. But books are a fantastic way to introduce kids to complex ideas. Stories and narratives help children make sense of the world and give them a relational framework for understanding and interacting with it. Here are three of our favourite kids books about gratitude:

Gratitude Soup: This book features Violet the Purple Fairy, who learns how to make Gratitude Soup by thinking of all the things, people, places, and experiences that she is grateful for and putting them in an imaginary soup pot. She is then able to shrink her pot of soup with her imagination, so she can keep the gratitude warm and flowing in her heart all day and all night. This is a fun and playful story that is sure to engage your little people - just be prepared for them to make their own gratitude soup!

Thankful: This is a fun and slightly silly rhyming board book with illustrations your kids will love! It speaks to the importance of being thankful for the everyday things - like the gardener thankful for every green sprout, and the chef who is grateful for plates licked clean! Children are encouraged to be thankful for the many blessings they find in their lives each and every day.

All the World: This beautiful books follows a group of family and friends through a fun day of shared adventures and activities. The day isn't perfect, but there is still so much beauty in the small moments and memories they create together. This book is a lovely reminder of how important it is to appreciate the little things in life and the people who love us.

2. Select an age appropriate gratitude journal

Help your child select a gratitude journal that they will enjoy using every day! A gratitude journal for children needs to be both functional and fun. I like journals that have space for both writing and drawing, so kids have lots of space for creative expression. We have a great range of printable and hard copy gratitude journals for children available in the Mindful Little Minds Marketplace. You can browse our collection of gratitude products here.

3. Make it fun!

Gratitude journaling for kids doesn't have to look the same as it does for us grown ups! We might be happy to jot down our thoughts, or make a list with a few bullet points. But this may not be particularly appealing to your child. And that's ok!

In fact, gratitude journaling doesn't have to be 'journaling" at all. Why not try writing some gratitude prompts down and popping them in a jar? Then take turns pulling out a new one at the dinner table each night and having a gratitude discussion. Or maybe you could go on a gratitude scavenger hunt, make a gratitude tree, or draw a picture of what you are grateful for? There are so many different ways to have fun with gratitude!

In fact, I've included a ton of fun gratitude activities in My Gratitude Workbook. This is a printable activity book full of fun kids gratitude activities you can do together with your child. And it will actually get them excited to practice gratitude!

4. Give them prompts

Like I said earlier, gratitude can be a tricky concept for kids. And sometimes when we ask, "What are you grateful for today?", we might be met with blank stares and confused little faces.

But if we ask, "What made you feel happy today?". That's a question they can answer! Need more ideas? Here are some prompts you might like to try with your younger child to get them thinking (and talking) about gratitude.

What was the best part of your day today?

What made you laugh today?

What did you have fun playing with today?

What yummy food did you eat today?

What was something beautiful you saw today?

Who did something kind for you today?

Who made you feel loved today?

What is your favourite toy?

Which friend did you play with at school today?

What is your favourite place to visit?

What activity are you glad you got to do today?

5. Journal together

You can encourage and set a positive example for your child by doing some gratitude journaling alongside them. If you work your daily journaling into your regular routine, it will become second nature. So set aside some time each day, perhaps after dinner or at bedtime, to sit together and journal. When you're done, talk to each other about what you feel grateful for, and why. This will help with your child's gratitude practice, but it will also be a special time for you to connect with each other. And I have no doubt that it will become a time both of you cherish and look forward to every day. Plus - of course - the benefits of gratitude are not limited to children! If you need a gratitude journal for yourself, I love these ones from Awesome Inc.

6. Let go of expectations

Sometimes your child won't want to express gratitude and that's ok. We don't always feel like expressing our gratitude either, right?! If they don't feel like journalling, don't push it. Gratitude journaling shouldn't be a chore. It's not something we want to force kids to do. It's something we want kids to do willingly and joyfully. So if they need a break, that's ok.

Also try to remember that what your child feels grateful for is likely to be different to what you are grateful for. They won't always give you answers you expect. Sometimes they'll be grateful for the pancakes you cooked them for breakfast, their family, and having access to fresh running water and shelter. And sometimes they'll be grateful for PJ masks, lollipops, Peyton List, and getting the biggest serving of ice cream after dinner. No one thing is more deserving of our gratitude than another. It's about what feels meaningful for them. So try to let go of your expectations around what your child "should" be grateful for, and just be grateful that they're feeling grateful!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to start a gratitude journal for children - Mindful Little Minds

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This blog post contains affiliate links. This means if you click through and make a purchase, I may make a very small commission at no extra cost to you. I promise to only ever recommend products I love myself.

# data[].attributes.headline
Showing Kindness to others is kind to ourselves as well 

# data[].attributes.subject
Showing Kindness to others is kind to ourselves as well 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Your kids may be having a serious case of the feels these days-from sadness and anxiety to feeling disconnected, lonely, and bored. And no wonder! While most of us are not certified art therapists, we can still incorporate a few art therapy activities to help them identify and manage their emotions.

What is art therapy?

Art therapy is a therapeutic process that integrates psychotherapy and art. It can help kids explore their emotions, improve self-esteem, relieve stress, and ease anxiety and depression.

Krista Reinhardt-Ruprecht, a registered psychotherapist, explains how art therapy works. "When we're stuck in feeling states," she says, "we are in the right hemisphere, low in the brain, and it's hard to climb out of that. When we use our hands to make art, we trigger our left hemisphere to come back online. Meanwhile, we are makingan internal emotion into an external piece of art, which can help us by looking at it as separate from who we are."

Here are a few simple art therapy activities that will help your kids identify and manage their feelings.

1. Create mandalas

Drawing figures with repeated patterns, like mandalas, is good for regulating emotions and the nervous system. It can help kids focus their attention and calm down. After drawing them, they can color them in!

2. Picture your emotions

One of Reinhardt-Ruprecht's favorite activities with clients is creating Anger Monsters. She asks her client to picture in their head, and then draw on paper, what their anger looks like. As a result, says Reinhardt-Ruprecht, "Anger gets to have its own identity. We can bring the anger out-look at it, how ugly it is-and then we can find out what it needs."

More tips on helping kids express their feelings through art from Psychology Today.

3. Make art from nature

Working with natural materials is soothing and helps ground us. Plus, you can find beautiful materials to work with by just taking a walk outside. Make nature bracelets, sun-catchers, or create beautiful weavings with natural materials. For more ideas, check out 25 Fun and Easy Nature Crafts and Activities.

4. Transform something

Reinhardt-Ruprecht recently helped a patient who was struggling with our current world state of affairs. Together, they sat down and made a list of all the terrible things about COVID-19. Then they tore the list up and used the pieces to create a piece of art, turning something ugly into something beautiful.

5. Piece things together

Creating collages is a very therapeutic activity with a two-fold benefit. The physical sensation of handling different materials and textures-soft, scratchy, rigid-is very comforting. And the creative process of putting things together in a new and different way helps organize and calm your brain.

For more collage inspiration, check out Collage Art: 50+ Ideas.

6. Create a magazine photo mashup

Dr. Cathy Malchiodi explains the process of magazine photo collage as "using images to create a visual narrative that enhances the dialogue between client and therapist."

A simple way to do this at home is to have your child cut out images from magazines that catch their eye. Then give them a piece of paper and glue and have them arrange the images in a collection. If they are willing, ask them to narrate their process as they go.

7. Make masks

In art therapy, creating or decorating a mask often leads to exploring different aspects of our personality. Sometimes we can create a mask that reveals feelings that are hard to express. Give your child a pre-formed mask or make one out of paper and give them free rein to embellish it however they'd like. When they are finished, ask them to tell you the story of the mask.

8. Family sculpture

One of Dr. Malchiodi's recommended activities as an art therapist is to encourage kids to create a family sculpture out of clay. The size, shape, and arrangement of family members invites conversations about the important people and relationships in their life.

For more great ideas, check out The Ten Coolest Art Therapy Interventions.
What art activities have you used with kids that have really had beneficial effects? Come share in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook. Also, check out 20 Apps to Combat Anxiety and Stress.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
8 Art Therapy Activities to Help Kids Identify and Manage Their Feelings

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Your kids may be having a serious case of the feels these days-from sadness and anxiety to feeling disconnected, lonely, and bored. And no wonder! While most of us are not certified art therapists, we can still incorporate a few art therapy activities to help them identify and manage their emotions.

# data[].attributes.headline
Dance Therapy: A song I can dance to with the students to and get silly!

# data[].attributes.subject
Dance Therapy: A song I can dance to with the students to and get silly!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Pharrell Williams - Happy (Official Video)

# data[].attributes.headline
A book I have to introduce meditation and slowing down to my students

# data[].attributes.subject
A book I have to introduce meditation and slowing down to my students

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
National Parenting Product Award Winner (NAPPA)! Collect all of the books featuring beloved Bentley the Bee, Bee Calm: The Buzz on Yoga, Bee Still: An Invitation to Meditation, and Bee Heartful: Spread Loving Kindness. All are great reads alongside books such as Breathe Like a Bear: 30 Mindful Moments for Kids to Feel Calm and Focused Anytime, Anywhere, I Am Yoga, Calm Ninja, and other mindfulness books.

Bentley is a lovable, calm honeybee. He lives in a hive in a tall oak tree.
One day, the queen told the bees to get busy. This sent them scrambling into a tizzy.
But not Bentley. He chose to be patient and wait.
He decided to look for a place to meditate.

Bentley the bee lives in a busy, bustling hive. One day, when the other bees rush out to make honey, Bentley decides to meditate first. The other animals are curious about what Bentley is doing-so he teaches them how he uses meditation to focus, feel calm, and soothe difficult feelings.

Research has indicated that meditation can assist with improving concentration and focus, calming anxiety, and reducing impulsivity. Just like adults, children can benefit from turning off electronic devices and being present to what is happening to them in the moment. Bee Still is a child-friendly introduction to meditation.

Includes a Note to Parents and Caregivers with more ideas for introducing meditation into your child's life.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Bee Still: An Invitation to Meditation [Sileo PhD, Frank J., Keay, Claire] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Bee Still: An Invitation to Meditation

# data[].attributes.headline
Motivating students to have a Growth Mindset 

# data[].attributes.subject
Motivating students to have a Growth Mindset 

# data[].attributes.headline
Introducing Meditation for Students in the classroom

# data[].attributes.subject
Introducing Meditation for Students in the classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Flaxseeds & Fairytales - Guided Meditations

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
5 Minute Guided Meditation for Kids | Short Guided Mindfulness Meditation for Kids with Music