Category: Resources

e-books, useful templates, inforgraphics, cheat sheets and other wonderful early childhood educator resources

Emotional regulation resources

~ storykate ~ Leave a comment

Emotional regulation does not happen overnight – it takes time, requires modelling and scaffolding.

I picked some great resources to help you supporting children in your classrooms or family day care.

Labelling emotions

https://payhip.com/b/g7dIl

Emotions list for the educator

https://www.creativefabrica.com/product/feelings-chart-readable-emotions/ref/2957790/

https://www.creativefabrica.com/product/stone-emotions-bundle/

What resources are you using at the moment?

Post in the comments below!

Storykate

Bubbles meditation

~ storykate ~ Leave a comment

When I worked in the preschool room, I used to do bubble meditation, it was really popular among children and I would make my sustainable bubble mix, which they would be allowed to play with in the afternoon.

Guided Bubbles Meditation: “Floating Bubbles of Tranquility”

  • Find a comfortable and safe space indoors or outdoors where the children can lie down on the floor.

Step 1: Set the Scene:

  • Invite the children to lie down on their backs, with their eyes closed and arms resting by their sides.
  • Explain that you’re going to create a relaxing experience using bubbles.

Step 2: Take a Calming Breath:

  • Start by taking a few deep breaths together. Inhale slowly through your noses and exhale gently through your mouths.

Step 3: Introducing the Bubbles:

  • Let the children know that you’re going to blow bubbles for them to watch and enjoy.
  • Assure them that they can stay comfortable and relaxed as they observe the floating bubbles.

Step 4: Bubble Breath Awareness:

  • Begin blowing bubbles gently into the air.
  • Encourage the children to listen to the soft sounds of the bubbles and watch as they gracefully rise and float.

Step 5: Bubble Gazing:

  • Guide the children to follow the path of the bubbles with their eyes as they travel through the air.
  • Describe how the bubbles catch the light, creating a beautiful and peaceful sight.

Step 6: Feeling Light and Relaxed:

  • As the bubbles continue to float, suggest that the children imagine themselves being as light as the bubbles.
  • Describe how they’re letting go of any heavy thoughts or worries, just like the bubbles float effortlessly.

Step 7: Bubble Thoughts:

  • Invite the children to imagine that each bubble carries a positive thought or feeling.
  • As they watch the bubbles, they can imagine these thoughts filling them with happiness and calm.

Step 8: Gentle Pops:

  • After a while, let the children know that they can gently reach out and pop a bubble if they’d like.
  • Encourage them to notice the sensation of the bubble popping and how it feels on their skin.

Step 9: Coming Back:

  • Slowly guide the children to bring their attention back to their breath and the feeling of lying on the floor.
  • Let them know that you’ll be blowing a few more bubbles before you finish.

Step 10: Closing the Meditation:

  • As the meditation comes to an end, thank the children for being part of the calming bubble experience.
  • Invite them to gently open their eyes and share any thoughts or feelings they experienced during the meditation.

Not just a piece of silk

~ storykate ~ Leave a comment

“Hey educators, imagine scarves as your super versatile play buddies! They’re like these magic cloths that can turn into anything children’s brains can think of. 🌈✨

Picture this: you hand a child a scarf, and suddenly it’s not just a piece of fabric. It’s a superhero’s cape, a cozy tent, or even a fluttering butterfly. It’s like giving them a ticket to their own creative wonderland!

And guess what? These scarves are like the ultimate sidekicks for learning too. Children can learn colours by playing colour-match games with ’em, dancing their hearts out, or even practising sharing and teamwork when they play together.

Now, you might think, ‘Wait, why not just give ’em a toy that’s all figured out?’ Well, it’s like giving them a colouring book versus a blank canvas. With scarves, there’s no rulebook. Children get to make their own stories, like mini directors of their playtime movies.

Plus, scarves play nice with everyone, from the littlest toddlers to the bigger kids. And it’s not just fun – it’s learning in disguise. They pick up things like how things move, how colours go together, and even how to share their crazy scarf adventures with friends.

So next time you see a bunch of scarves, remember – they’re not just pieces of cloth. They’re tickets to a world where imagination rules and learning is like a fun game you never want to stop playing. 🎈🌟”

Kate👩‍🦰