Student Wellness Resources

As we navigate these uncharted waters together, Ms. Casey has found some great exercises you can do with your student to maintain afloat. From simple breathing exercises to dinner table topics, you can try any of these activities before breakfast, between subjects, or after classes. You may focus on one or try a bunch throughout the day! It is some of the simpler things we do that ground us the most. We have organized these exercises into two groups for simplicity, ELC–2nd and 3rd–5th grade.

In addition to these at-home exercises, Ms. Casey has student check-in sessions (link below) for those looking to connect one-on-one. Opportunities to book begin on Tuesday, June 30.

If you have any questions or requests for additional support please reach out to Ms. Casey by e-mail.

Schedule a virtual check in with Ms. Casey!
Tues/Thurs 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Afternoon sessions

via Zoom beginning Wednesday, May 6.

Mindfulness Monday	What’s-up Wednesday	Flexible Friday
3:30–4:00 p.m.	3:30–4:00 p.m.	3:30–4:00 p.m.
We will begin each class with a breathing exercise followed by a guided meditation. For all ages. In observance of Memorial Day there will be no session on 5/25	Informal discussion/writing groups for students who are interested in discussing feelings that are coming up and tools to help navigate them. For all ages.	Yoga class for all ages. We know we have been flexible in our minds and hearts during this time, but let's take a moment to stretch out our body!

Mindfulness Monday

What’s-up Wednesday

Flexible Friday

3:30–4:00 p.m.

We will begin each class with a breathing exercise followed by a guided meditation.
For all ages.

In observance of Memorial Day there will be no session on 5/25

Informal discussion/writing groups for students who are interested in discussing feelings that are coming up and tools to help navigate them.
For all ages.

Yoga class for all ages.
We know we have been flexible in our minds and hearts during this time, but let's take a moment to stretch out our body!

ELC–2nd Grade

Meditation / Breathing

Cloud Lounge: Laying on your back outside, observe the clouds. What shapes do they take? What color are they?
Body Scan: From toes to your head, what does each part of your body feel like? Do this while laying down somewhere comfortable.
Smell the flower, blow out the candle: With each index finger, pretend one is a flower and the other a candle. Breathe in the flower for 5 seconds, blow out the candle for 5. Repeat.
Belly Breathing: Fill your belly like you would a balloon. Hold for 5 seconds. Let the air out of your balloon. Exhale. Repeat.
Think about at least one thing you can do to help around your house.

Journal / Drawing

10 Dinner Table Topics

Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest? Why?
If you could be an animal, what would you be? Why?
What does happiness mean to you?
If you could go anywhere in the universe, where would you go?
If you were a color, what would you be? Why?
Say something nice to the person to your right.
Would you rather fly or be able to breathe under water? Why?
What does friendship mean to you?
What are you most grateful for?
If you could change anything in the world, what would it be?

Nature Walk

5-4-3-2-1 Walking: 5 beautiful things they see, 4 sounds they hear, 3 sensations they feel, 2 things they smell or taste, 1 thought they are having.
Penny Walking: Try walking while balancing coins on their feet or shoes. Add more coins if it feels too easy.
Walking with Words: Create a mantra (Ex: “I am here, in the now” or “I am home, I am safe” or “I am love, I am peace,” or create your own!) Repeat for 1 minute.
Rainbow Walk: Have them point out all the different colors they see. Can they identify the whole rainbow?

Media

Spotify: Kids Meditation Stories, Guided Meditations for Children
‘Calm’ app- Has a series of meditation exercises.(I love listening to some of these before I go to bed!)
Audible Stories: Free children stories as long as schools are out!
Take one picture a day. Create a title for it.
Ted Talks to Watch with your kids
Common Sense Media for more media resources

3rd–5th Grade

Meditation / Breathing

Square Breathing: Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 4 seconds, breathe out for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, repeat. (As you get better, you can increase the amount of time)
Mindful listening: For one minute, write down everything you can hear.
Positive affirmations: Choose one thing you love about yourself, repeat it in your head while tapping your heart for one minute. (Tapping your heart calms down your nervous system)
Body Scan: From your toes to your head, what does each part of your body feel like?
Think about at least one thing you can do to help around your house?

Journal / Drawing

Write a list of what you love.
Write a letter to your younger self.
Write a letter to your older self.
Write a list of 10 Things you would like to do one day.
Write a list of 10 things you have accomplished.
Write a letter to a friend. (Send it if you know their address!)
Draw a picture of how you are feeling right now. Share if you want to.
Draw a picture of your favorite place.

10 Dinner Table Topics

Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest? Why?
Would you like to be famous? In what way?
What does happiness mean to you?
If you were stuck on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring? Why?
If you could be any teacher at PBS, who would you be? Why?
Say something nice to the person to your right.
Would you rather fly or be able to breathe under water? Why?
What does friendship mean to you?
What are you most grateful for?
If you could change anything in the world, what would it be?

Nature Walk

5-4-3-2-1 Walking: 5 beautiful things they see, 4 sounds they hear, 3 sensations they feel, 2 things they smell or taste, 1 thought they are having.
Walking with Words: Create a mantra (Ex: “I am here, in the now” or “I am home, I am safe” or “I am love, I am peace,” or make up your own!) Repeat for 1 minute.
You Nose it!: Name 5 different smells you are smelling.
Freeze for 5: How long can you be still for? Try shutting your eyes if you feel comfortable. (If you can’t do 5 minutes, just do as long as you can) You may also sit, if you would like.

Media

Spotify: Kids Meditation Stories, Guided Meditations for Children
‘Calm’ app- Has a series of meditation exercises.(I love listening to some of these before I go to bed!)
Audible Stories: Free children stories as long as schools are out!
Take one picture a day. Create a title for it.
Ted Talks to Watch with your kids
Common Sense Media for more media resources

More Resources

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