To better equip parents and caregivers during this time of constant change and challenges, a team of school psychologists from the Berks County Intermediate Unit’s Early Intervention program have developed a weekly Social-Emotional Learning calendar with daily ideas for activities and lessons that will help your child grow socially and emotionally. Click the links below to download the calendar in English or Spanish.
Tuesday: Using a Calm Down Area at Home
A “calm down area” provides a child with a place to relax and take a break. Download this week’s calendar for ideas on how to set up a calm down area for your child.
Monday: Wearing a Mask Tip Sheet
Many parents are wondering how they can encourage their young children (ages 2 and older) to keep a mask on when venturing out of the house, especially if their children are impacted by disabilities or sensory sensitivities. See the link in the calendar for tips to help your child adapt and practice wearing a mask.
Monday: Coping with Separation Anxiety
After spending a lot of time together at home over the past few months, you and your family may be preparing for even more changes to your routine as businesses, places of work, and child care centers begin to reopen. Try some of these activities to help your child adjust to this change.
Wednesday: Tips for Managing Transition
Child cares and camps are beginning to reopen. Most likely, there have been no other caregivers for your child outside of your own family because of the stay-at-home guidelines, but now your child may be facing a major transition – heading back to child care after months of “just you.”
Wednesday: Engaging in Conversations about Diversity
Children’s books are effective tools for engaging in conversations about diversity. Books help children learn about the experiences and perspectives of individuals that may be different from their own.
Friday: Embedded Learning Opportunities
Promote your child’s skill development and independence by intentionally embedding learning opportunities into everyday routines and activities. For example, family mealtimes provide a perfect opportunity to work on language and social skills.
Thursday: Mindfulness Heartbeat Exercise
Have your child (along with you!) jump up and down in place or do jumping jacks for one minute. When done, sit or lay down with your child, and have them put a hand over their heart. Show your child how to close their eyes and pay attention only to their heartbeat.
Tuesday: Emotion Charades
Help your child learn to identify emotions by playing Emotion Charades! Each player should pick a card illustrating a specific emotion. Take turns acting out the emotion while the audience attempts to guess the emotion.
Wednesday: Tips to Keep Calm at Home
Fear, uncertainty, and being holed up at home to slow the spread of COVID-19 can make it tough for families to keep a sense of calm. But it’s important to help children feel safe, keep healthy routines, manage their behavior, and build resilience.
Friday: Get Along Games
Helping: Hands: Have your children balance paper plates or napkins on their heads and slowly walk around. If it falls off, they must freeze in place and can only start moving again if tagged by you or a sibling.
Tuesday: Regulating Behavior
Teaching children to regulate their behavior is one of the most important character traits we can teach. Experts believe children who master self-regulation become masters of their learning…and the benefits are life-long.
Thursday: Deep Breathing
Deep breathing is a helpful coping strategy in adults and children alike. Stress caused increased heart rate and fast breathing. Taking deep breaths sends a message to our brain that we are relaxed.
Thursday: Mindfulness Heartbeat Exercise
Have your child (along with you!) jump up and down in place or do jumping jacks for one minute. When done, sit or lay down with your child, and have them put a hand over their heart. Show your child how to close their eyes and pay attention only to their heartbeat.
Tuesday: Emotion Charades
Help your child learn to identify emotions by playing Emotion Charades! Each player should pick a card illustrating a specific emotion. Take turns acting out the emotion while the audience attempts to guess the emotion.
Wednesday: Tips to Keep Calm at Home
Fear, uncertainty, and being holed up at home to slow the spread of COVID-19 can make it tough for families to keep a sense of calm. But it’s important to help children feel safe, keep healthy routines, manage their behavior, and build resilience.
Friday: Get Along Games
Helping: Hands: Have your children balance paper plates or napkins on their heads and slowly walk around. If it falls off, they must freeze in place and can only start moving again if tagged by you or a sibling.
Tuesday: Regulating Behavior
Teaching children to regulate their behavior is one of the most important character traits we can teach. Experts believe children who master self-regulation become masters of their learning…and the benefits are life-long.
Thursday: Deep Breathing
Deep breathing is a helpful coping strategy in adults and children alike. Stress caused increased heart rate and fast breathing. Taking deep breaths sends a message to our brain that we are relaxed.