How to handle your child's BIG feelings and changing behaviors

Hi Forestdale families!

I am so happy to be hearing from many of you about how your children are processing all of the changes this pandemic has caused.  Changes in behavior is expected and you are not alone!

Below I have attached an article that may be helpful for many parents and guardians.  As the weeks go by you may be noticing some behaviors in your child that are not typical or difficult to manage.  Enough time has gone by now that children (and let's face it- parents too!) are really out of our routines and it is starting to bring up some unexpected feelings.  As adults, we have the ability to handle most of our feelings with little effort and when we become too overhwlemed we know what copinkg skills help us best.  Children need lots of patience and guidance around handling their feelings.  They may not even be able to tell you exactly how they feel or why they are feeling upset.
This is a quick read and may give you some helpful tips.  If you want more information or would like to speak to me directly, please reach out!  I hope you find this article helpful.  Be well!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZwgBfNI4JUkABK3WNvN4PVe12XF7TZAo/view?usp=sharing

SEL Lesson for K. & Grade 2 week of 4/6

Hi Kindergarten and Second Grade Friends!

Our first Social Emotional Lesson is on controlling our worries that we have in the Yellow Zone. 

Worries can be really hard to control sometimes. In this lesson you will learn a really great coping skill that you can use to stop thinking about your worries. 

Try imagining a locked box in your mind. You can picture it as a sunken treasure chest or maybe even a toy chest! Get creative with how you want your box to look in your mind. I like to picture a sunken treasure chest protected by mermaids. 

So when I have worries in my head during the day, I imagine in my mind putting them in my treasure chest for the day. I lock the worry up in my mind until a later time in the day when I can talk to someone about it. 

Try setting up a worry time with a parent. Keep it at the same time every day, maybe after dinner. At first you'll notice you have lots of worries to talk about. But as you practice locking your worries in your box, you will notice sometimes you even forget what your worry was! This is a good thing! 

The idea is to not think about our worries all day because that can make us feel bad. 

Now you try at home! Grab a piece of paper and draw what your lock box in your mind looks like. 

Have a Super Week!

Love, Ms. Darsch <3

SEL Lesson for PreK AND Grade 1 week of 4/6

Hi Forestdale Friends!

What a beautiful Monday; the sun is shining and it is going to be a great day!

Here is a link to our Social Emotional Learning lesson for this week.  This one is great for both preK and Grade 1.

Enjoy!
I miss you!
Mrs. Pestilli

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1d20pks8g28n-XhQcYE9cOa-VGGAZASUF

Medium Problem

Medium problems are a bit bigger than glitches and take more time to fix. When you have a medium problem in school or at home you need help from others especially an adult. When we have medium problems, our reaction size should be medium as well. Here’s an example:

At recess, your friend scrapped their knee and it is bleeding. In order to solve this medium problem, you would need to tell a teacher at recess so they can help. A teacher will most likely bring you to the nurse who will then help your friend. You may feel scared or worried about your friend and that is a normal medium size reaction to your medium problem.

Sometimes medium problems feel big and we feel like giving up. Check out the video below to see how Eve helps Hunter solve his problem by thinking flexible. 

Stella needs love!

Now that we have been out of school for 3 weeks, Stella really misses all of you!

She loves having her family home with her and has been having fun going on long walks and exploring, BUT she is starting to miss her Forestdale friends.  Let's see if we can cheer Stella up! Email Mrs. Pestilli with some fun pictures or stories to be shared with Stella- apestilli@sandwich.k12.ma.us!  Maybe Stella will write back :)

Family Mindfulness- Try it out!

Hi everyone!

Here is another resource from our friends at McLean!  Kidshealth.org defines mindfulness as "paying full attention to something.  It means slowing down to really notice what you are doing and you are focusing in a relaxed, easy way.  "  At Forestdale, we use mindfulness during our week in many ways.   When we want to change our mood as a coping skill, refocus after recess so we can be ready to learn, and when we have been sitting for a long time.

Try some of these activities out with your family this weekend!

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1HAC7bGN93rQwrh2PnO_4V1C3HShTVCnu

Children and Anxiety- A Guideline for Parents

Hi Forestdale Families!

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent diagnoses we see in children today. We have a partnership with McLean Hospital and here is a wonderful resource explaining how anxiety may present in cildren and some suggestions on how to help your anxious child.
Please reach out to me or Rachel with any follow up or child specific questions you may have.
Take care and Be well!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sRpjp6S-vGTzpl9Zg7ALTTnVjh5qbLjD/view?usp=sharing