Coping Skills Lesson

Hi my friends! Please view my video lesson on coping skills!  Coping skills are tools we can use when we are in the BLUE Zone (sad, upset), YELLOW Zone (worried, scared, frustrated) and RED Zone (mad, angry, yelling).  We know that no one is expected to be in the GREEN zone (happy, calm, content) all day, but if you want to get back to the GREEN zone, here are some helpful tips :)

Small Problem

Let's take some time over the new few days to talk about Size of the Problem. In school, we talk about Size of the Problem with Small Problems, Medium Problems, & Big Problems. Our topic today is...

Small Problems

We can refer to small problems as

Just a Glitch

Small Problems are little tiny issues that occur throughout our day. We all have them! Kids, teachers, even Stella. When we have small problems, we can fix them on our own.

When we have small problems our reaction size should also be small. Our reaction is how we look on the outside by how we look, what we do and what we say. 

Sometimes people have reactions that do not match the size of their problem. 

Here's an example - I spilled milk on the floor today while making breakfast. 

My reaction was that I yelled and almost cried. 

This reaction is BIG however by problem was SMALL. 

I can change my reaction and tell myself, this is just a GLITCH, I can clean it up and move on easily. 

Check out the video below to see how this little boy has a small reaction to a small problem. (it is kinda silly so it is OK to laugh) :)

Building Self-Esteem

Hi Friends!

Self-esteem means you mostly feel good about yourself. It is important to help your little one(s) build their self-esteem at a young age. We want our kids to feel proud of what they do and see the good things about themselves. A fun way to practice building self-esteem is doing a Family Awards Ceremony. Start by picking a night you would like to do this with your family then get started using the directions below. Have fun!

Family Award Night

SOS for Parents/Caregivers- Managing behaviors at home!

Hi parents and families!

We know this is a stressful time for all and wanted to provide a resource for you regarding difficult behavior in children.  All children exhibit some form of unwanted behavior sometimes.  This article has some good pointers and reminders about why children act the way they do and how to prevent unwanted or unexpected behavior. 

We hope this is helpful and please reach out to us via email if you would like to discuss anything in further detail.  WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

https://childmind.org/article/managing-problem-behavior-at-home/#.XnyyocGc-I0.email

Let Stella know what YOU have been up to!

Stella went on a nice walk today with her family!  Stella knows how important family time is right now.  She also knows that getting outside and getting some exercise is a great way to burn off some energy and handle some worried or frustrating feelings.  As you can see from the picture, Stella found one of her favorite items along her walk.  Do you see it in her mouth?  Silly Stella!

If you want to, you can comment below and tell Stella what YOU have been doing this week.  She would LOVE to hear from you! :)

Upcoming Fun

Now that we are living in a virtual world, we have to find new ways of having fun and getting active. This Saturday at 10:00am on Facebook live there will be a Yoga & Dance party with Anna from Arendelle(Frozen) - Click the link below the picture to get more information. 

Frozen: Yoga and Dance

For some more fun, you can join one of our favorite authors, Mo Willems in doodling over lunch. How cool?!

Doodling with Mo Willems

If you know of some more fun activities, 

add to the comments section below.

A story link for kids about social distancing

TIME TO COME IN, BEAR

A children's story about Social Distancing

Be well my friends!  Love, Mrs. Pestilli

Thoughts, Feelings, & Behaviors

Hi Everyone! Today lets talk about how our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are all connected by using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Check out the picture below:

Notice that what we think about impacts what we do and how we feel. For example - If I wake up in the morning and think to myself, this is going to be such a bad day. With that thought, I am going to feel sad and maybe grumpy. If I am feeling sad and grumpy I may act quiet or even cry and not try in school. 

However, if I wake up in the morning and think to myself, I am going to have a good day. I will feel calm and happy. If I feel calm and happy then I will act nice and friendly and try hard in school. 

See how thinking positive happy thoughts helps us have good feelings and behavior? 

Now you try!

What is a thought that makes you feel happy?

Mine is the beach or Little Bear :)

Remember - You can always reset your day if it is not going well and this is a great way to do it. 

Just Keep Swimming

In an effort to spread positivity, I feel that Dory does a good job at just that! Together let's keep swimming through each day. If we think positive then we feel positive. Check back tomorrow to see how our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all connected. 

XoXo Have a good Night XoXo

An unexpected Stella visit

Today staff were invited to come in to school in very small groups to get classroom supplies to help our students learn online during this uncertain time.  As I pulled up to our school I saw Mrs. Bridges with Stella and her baby sister Lucia!  It was so nice to see them!  Mrs. Bridges and I practiced social distancing, but that doesn't apply to pets, so I got close to give Stella and Lucia some love.  Stella told me to say hi to all of you!  We miss you!

Zones & Inside Out!

Happy Monday friends! 

Forestdale students know all about the Disney film Inside Out and how it is connected to the Zones of Regulation. For those who have not seen the movie, this is a great time to watch with your family. Did you know that you can teach your family all about the zones!? Use some of the pictures below to help tell your loved ones about how we talk about emotions in school. It is OK to feel emotions in ALL the zones. Some days we even may go from zone to zone, remember you can use your coping skills to return to the green zone. 

Check out the video below that shows each of the zones played out by the Inside Out characters:

(remember, Disgust is not a zone in school but it is an emotion so it is important to talk about too)

Have a Green Zone Day :)

What is anxious?

Anxious is an emotion when you feel worried or nervous that something may or may not happen. Anxious falls into the Yellow Zone. Many people have been feeling a bit anxious with what is going on around the world. Anxious is an uncomfortable feeling and you may even feel it in your body. Some kids express feeling really hot or dizzy when they are anxious. Remember, there are ways to get back the the Green Zone when we are feeling anxious. If you are a kid that also feels hot when you are anxious, try putting an ice pack right on your forehead/on your eyes. This cooling sensation will tell the inside of your body to feel calm instantly. For this to work, hold the ice pack on your head for 1 minute. Check out the video below get a better understanding of how anxiety looks:

Below see some other helpful coping skills to use when feeling anxious. One of my favorite's is to drink cold water, it is both refreshing and calming.  

Have a relaxing Saturday! <3

How to help our children during uncertain times - Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules (AFIRM)

Here is a very helpful webpage helping families of children with autism cope during these uncertain times!

https://afirm.fpg.unc.edu/supporting-individuals-autism-through-uncertain-times?fbclid=IwAR0ZwhZGEHFWXqbYRYmBvuye0PCm_dQ4ZYKQXpqlFIIG4FvIFiqQYErMgtA

Stella makes mistakes too!

NOBODY is perfect and we all make unexcpected choices, even Stella!

Here some examples of times Stella has made a wrong choice:

She stole her sister Lucia's bone and is not sharing

She got VERY dirty on her walk by rolling in mud

She went swimming when she was not supposed to

She pulled an ornament off of the Christmas tree and ruined it

The IMPORTANT thing to remember is that when we make mistakes we have to try to make it better.  Here are some steps to follow when you make an unexpected choice!

1. Admit what you did wrong

2. Say you are sorry

3. Let the person know that you will try to not make that choice again

4. Do something kind 

So for example, if you yelled at a friend because you were frustrated and in the YELLOW zone. You can tell the person that you should not have yelled, say you are sorry, tell them you will try to use a coping skills next time instead of yelling, and ask if they want to play a fun game...let them choose what game you play!

Remember, we ALL make mistakes- grown ups, teachers, kids and yes, even pets-  just be sure to try and make it better!

Story Time!

Hi Forestdale friends! I recorded a read aloud for you all today. The book is titled, Madeline Finn and the Library Dog. I think it will remind you of our sweet girl Stella. Enjoy!!

Love, Ms. Darsch <3

Flexible Thinking & Stuck Thinking

Hi friends! Today lets talk about Flexible Thinking and Stuck Thinking. Flexible Thinking is when we are able to change our plans and think about something in a new way. Sometimes flexible thinking is hard and we have Stuck Thinking. Stuck Thinking is when our thoughts get stuck on the same topic and therefore our emotions stay the same. Remember the bulletin board of Stella near our offices!? It shows her feeling excited to go outside for recess then she was told it was indoor recess so she was a little upset but she showed flexible thinking as she had the thought that she could play outside tomorrow. 

Check out the video below of Grover talking about Flexible Thinking:

To represent Stuck Thinking here is a picture of Rock Brain:

Let's all try to defeat Rock Brain each day using our Flexible Thinking like Grover!

Have a Happy Friday! :)

We feel emotions in our body

Did you know that we feel our emotions throughout our body? For some people, when they get angry, their body feels tense which means really tight. When we know how our body feels in each zone, we can use coping skills to help get back to the calm Green Zone. Take a look at the picture below and try it at home. Grab a piece of paper, a pencil, and some crayons. First draw your body like the picture below then get busy adding colors to show where you feel each emotion. There are many more emotions than just the ones listed on the picture below so feel free to add more!! You can also be creative for example, you could draw waves or butterflies in the stomach area to represent how you feel when you are nervous. 

Once you finish your picture, start thinking about coping skills that can help you get back to the Green Zone. Here's an example - If you feel hot when you are nervous, putting cold water on your forehead can help cool your body down which will help you feel calm again. 

Miss you all!! <3

Social Emotional Lesson: Thoughts and Feelings

Hi Forestdale Friends!  Here is a video of me doing a lesson for you just as I would in your classroom each month.  This is my first video lesson, I was kind of nervous :)  

ENJOY!

Feeling Bored?

So we have been home for almost a whole week now. I am sure many of you little ones are starting to feel bored. Remember bored falls in the Blue Zone. Although feeling bored is not my favorite emotion it is a feeling that we can sit with and easily change by doing certain tasks. Below check out an awesome link with ideas that you can do at home. Some of my favorites are the live streaming videos from zoos. Check out the #3 - Georgia Aquarium. I have been watching the little otters swim and penguins waddle around! Check it out!

125 Things to Do!

Comment below and let us know some fun things that you have been doing at home!

Love you all <3

Stella and the Cranberry Bog- A lesson is making good choices

On Wednesday Stella went to the Cranberry Bog.  It was such a beautiful day!

Stella wanted to go for a swim in the bog, but her mom said no.  

How do you think Stella was feeling?  What ZONE was she in?

Stella was SAD and in the BLUE zone.......maybe a little FRUSTERATED in the YELLOW zone too.

Stella used her coping skills to stay calm and get back to the GREEN zone.  She chose to:

Walk away 

Count to 5

Think about her choices

She could:

A.  Jump in the bog anyway because she really really wanted to, but mom may get mad.

B. Listen to mom and find something else that would make her happy.

What do you think Stella chose, A or B?

scroll down for the answer

STELLA CHOSE "B"-  She found a rock (one of her favorite things as you know) to carry all the way home

Great job Stella!  She knows that when you name your feeling and use your coping skills to calm down, you can make good choices!

The Invisible String

Hello friends!  Here is a read aloud of one of my favorite books "The Invisible String", by Patricia Karst.  The story is about the invisible string that connects the hearts of those we love, no matter how far apart we are because the string is made of love.  There is an invisible string connecting all of you to us, your teachers, and even Stella!  Enjoy the story!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cO2LBBBtAI

Pets!

As many of you know, we have pets that we love very much! Like our school Stella, our pets at home can bring great comfort to us. If you have a pet at home with you, use them as a coping skill to feel calm when you may be feeling worried about what is going on in the world. For those with pets, I am sure they are very happy that you are home with them! Below see our loving pets:

Meet Little Bear Darsch:
On the left see her now and on the right as a baby! She is very fluffy. Little Bear loves to sleep all day in the sun and enjoys treats. 

Meet Stella Pestilli:
Many of you have been curious about Mrs. Pestilli's Stella so here she is! Stella Pestilli is a boxer while our school Stella is an English Cream Golden Retriever. Stella loves cuddles and play time with her kids at home. She loves to play outside. 

We would love to see your pets! You can share pictures in the comments section below. 

We want to hear from YOU

Hi boys and girls! Happy Wednesday!

We would like you to feel free to reach out to us at anytime either by commenting on our blogs or by emailing us.  You can say hi, tell us what you are up to, ask any questions, send pictures....anything! Here are our emaill adresses:  Mrs. Pestilli- apestilli@sandwich.k12.ma.us, Ms. Darsch- rdarsch@sandwich.k12.ma.us.   We miss you and can't wait until we see you again soon.  

Stay tuned for a read aloud later today...... 

Name that emotion!

Learning to recognize how others are feelings is an important skill for young children in developing strong social skills. Picking up on facial expressions and body language of others takes practice. Encourage your little one(s) to "Think with their Eyes" during social interactions to pick up on social cues from others. A social cue can either be a verbal or non-verbal hint into how someone is feeling, either positive or negative. These social cues guide conversation and social interactions. Check out the video below and practice with your little one(s) at home! Have fun!

Name that Emotion!

Another creative way to practice recognizing emotions and social cues is through role play. You can make it fun by having family members act out an emotion and have the others try and guess which feeling is being acted out. 

Enjoy!!

Yoga

Yoga is a wonderful activity that helps us develop flexibility and strength in our bodies, and happiness and peace in our mind. The great thing about yoga is that you can do it right in the comfort of your home. Since today is St. Patrick’s Day, let’s try some of these festive yoga poses! 

You can find more yoga for kids at the link below:

Cosmic Kids Yoga

Enjoy little yogis :)

Stella is in the BLUE Zone today

Stella is feeling sad today and in the BLUE zone.  Maybe it's the rain,. maybe it is because it is Tuesday and she knows that this is a day that she would be at Forestdale with all of you and she misses you. Maybe it is because she is a HUGE Patriots fan and just heard the news about Tom Brady!

Stella with a Patriots cookie

Stella with her Patriots shirt on

Stella with her doggy mom Camilla in their Patriots bandanas

Whatever the reason is, Stella is feeling sad, BUT she knows what to do to make herself feel better.  She can: 

Rest

Take a break

Snuggle with her mom Mrs. Bridges

Play with her sister Lucia

Close her eyes and think of her favorite activities- swimming, digging up rocks, getting dirty

Stella knows how to use her coping skills!

Mindfulness

Using mindfulness is a great way to feel calm and relaxed. Mindfulness is when we pay attention to the present moment. Being in the present means to really slow down and really notice what you are doing. A helpful way to do this is by focusing on your 5 senses - sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. Try it yourself! Take a moment to think of a place that is really calming for you. It could be your bedroom, the beach, or even time spent with Stella! Many of you know that the beach is my calming place so when I am feeling frustrated or worried I use mindfulness and think of the beach using the 5 senses. Take a look below:

The Beach!

What do you see? - Beautiful white sand, turquoise blue water, bright blue sky, white fluffy clouds

What do you hear? - Waves hitting the sand, birds singing, music playing on my radio

What do you smell? - Coconut scented sunblock, fresh ocean air

What do you taste? - Yummy lemonade and a sandwich packed for lunch

What do you touch? - Fluffy soft sand, warm salt water, cold lemonade cup, book in my hands

Now it's your turn! Once you think of your calming place, take some time to really picture it in your mind using your 5 senses, you can also try drawing it. This is good practice for when you really may need this mindfulness skill. 

Find some other mindfulness activities linked below: 

Mindful Moments for Kids

Ocean Breath

Progressive Muscle Relaxation for Kids

Have a mindful day! <3

How are you feeling?

How are you feeling Forestdale friends? 

 Being out of school and  away from your friends and teachers may bring up a lot of different feelings for you.  Some may be in the BLUE zone because you are sad and missing your friends, others may be in the YELLOW zone because you are feeling nervous and worried because your schedule has changed, others may be in the RED zone and angry about all of this and others may be in the GREEN zone and happy to be with your family and have some time off. You may even be feeling mixed emotions....a combination of a few different Zones!  Remember: all feelings are ok!  It is important to talk with your grown ups about how you are feeling. 

Remember some of the coping skills we have learned....your tools in your tool box!

You can also set up a calming space somewhere in your home!  Find a quiet corner in a room in your home.  Put cozy blankets and pillows (you could even  make it a fort!), have a stuffed animal you can squeeze, maybe some headphones to listen to quiet music, a picture book or coloring book, maybe a ball to squeeze....anything you have that will help you relax, feel calm, and get back to the GREEN zone.

The important thing is to tell a grown up how you are feeling and what you need!

Stay tuned for some mindful activities to try at home :)

Talking to Your Children About the Corona Virus

Hello families,

This is a stressful time for us all and there is a definite "trickle down" effect for our children at home.  They may  hear the news, listen to conversations from another room, and read our concern on our faces.  They cannot process all of this information as we do and this can cause stress, worry and anxiety.  Here are some wonderful resources to help you talk to your children.

Author Julia Cook discusses the Corona Virus

How to Talk to Children about the Coronavirus:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-to-talk-to-children-about-the-coronavirus-2020030719111   

Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus (Goats and Soda):

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus 

Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource:

https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-(coronavirus)-a-parent-resource (you can find this PDF in the Google drive)

Welcome!

Hi everyone!

We wanted to create a place for our students and families to go for some information, lesson plans, resources, and of course...Stella!
We miss you and want you to know that even though we are not in school with you, we are still here for you!  Stay tuned for some articles, resources, and of course, pictures of our favorite therapy dog Stella <3  In fact, here she is enjoying the sun on this cool,beautiful day.  Fun fact:  Stella LOVES rocks!  She doesn't chase balls, she chases rocks!  Silly girl!  See that big rock that she found today?

We hope you are all doing well and we will be in touch soon!

Love, Mrs. Pestilli and Ms. Darsch