SLOW IT DOWN
LOW ENERGY, CALMING ACTIVITIES
PROJECT Postcards
Cut out a 4x6 inch square from a piece of thick paper or thin cardboard. Decorate one side. On the back, draw a line down the middle, with the left for writing, and the right half for the address and stamp.
Pen Pals
Write to a friend and tell them something new about yourself.
Special Delivery
Share your postcard! You can mail it with a stamp or give it to your friend in person. Ask if they’ll write back!
Supplies Checklist:
Thin cardboard or thick paper
Ruler
Scissors
Pencils, crayons, or markers
Did you know?
When kids write to each other, they have less fear of making mistakes, so they write more! Kids who write are kids who read!
SLOW IT DOWN
SLOW IT DOWN
Emotion
SOUP
When we cook, we mix different ingredients together. Sometimes feelings are the same. Think about the different emotions you’ve experienced today and write them all down. Use a feelings wheel to help!
Chef Hat!
Write a recipe to describe how you feel right now.
How much of each emotional ingredient should you add? How is it made?
Cooks Illustrated
Write each emotion on a drawing of a vegetable.
Cut them out and share your vegetables to make new emotion soups!
Did you know?
Being able to identify emotions is a first step to helping kids talk about their needs and understand how to regulate their behaviors.
Supplies Checklist:
Paper
Crayons or markers
Scissors
Letter
Ladder
CLIMB
Draw a 5-rung ladder. Below the bottom rung, write a 3-letter word, like “cat” or “dog.” Change one letter in your word to make a new word and write that word below the next rung. Underline the letter you changed. How high can you climb? Were you surprised by how the word changed?
Fire Brigade
Add more rungs and keep going, or begin with a longer word, like “book” or “plans.”
Bucket Line
Swap letter ladders at each rung with a friend.
Did you know?
Swapping out letters is an important skill for reading unfamiliar words.
Supplies Checklist:
Paper
Pencil
Comic Creators
Think about something that happened to you. Explain it by saying, “First, …,” “But then…,” “And finally…?” Fold a piece of paper into 3 parts. Draw and write what happened in the beginning, middle, and end of your story in each part.
It All Started When…
Try out a three-part formula with a story you make up! First, the main character gets into trouble because of a choice they made. Next, they get into even deeper trouble, and you’re not sure they will get out! Finally, they get out of trouble, or they don’t. How does your comic story end?
Tag Team
Pair up with someone. First, have them tell the three-part story while you draw the comics. Then switch roles!
Did you know?
When kids tell their own stories, they learn how stories are structured which helps them engage more deeply in what they read.
Supplies Checklist:
Paper
Pencil, crayons or markers