Social-Emotional Wellness Activities for Families

Today's Theme: Asking for Help

Teaching Your Child How to Ask for Help from the American Psychological Association's Magination Press Family.

Being able to ask for help is an essential skill for everyday life, but one that often has a stigma attached to it. It's natural for young kids to want to "do it themselves," especially when they see adults accomplishing the same tasks without help.

Activity/Craft

Craft - Community Helpers Craft

Supplies

Paper bags, scissors, blank paper, crayons or markers, glue, yarn or buttons (optional)

Directions

Ask your child to name a few community helpers and their responsibilities.
Ask them to name some of the things they like to do. Examples might be swimming, going to the library, hiking, biking, etc. For each thing they name ask them if there are safety rules around the activity and who they could ask for help when doing the activity.
Talk about a uniform the helper might wear. Focus on details.
Explain to your child that they are going to make community helper puppets out of paper bags.
Help them cut out this librarian design and allow them to design their own on blank paper, lifeguard, nurse, firefighter, etc.

This craft is brought to you by education.com.

VIDEO

BOOK LIST

Giraffe Asks for Help by Nyasha Chikoworee
Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor, illustrated by Rafael Lopez
Rufus Loses His Cape by Lucy Bell, illustrated by Michael Garton
I Have a Little Problem Said the Bear by Heinz Janisch and Silke Leffler
Hello! Hometown Heroes by Toni Armier, illustrated by Anna Jones
Look Where We Live!: A First Book of Community Building by Scot Ritchie
Speak Up Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell, illustrated by David Catrow
E-Mergency! By Ezra Fields-Meyer and Tom Lichtenheld
How do Dinosaurs Stay Safe? By Jane Yolen, illustrated by Mark Teague

MINDFULNESS ACTIVITY

Practice mindfulness activities daily to help children regulate their breathing and calm their minds.

Smell the Flower, Blow the Bubbles

Have your child hold their fist in front of their face. Tell them to imagine they are holding a flower. Have them pretend to breathe in the flower. Now imagine they are holding a bubble wand. Have them pretend to breathe out and blow bubbles.

Breathe in and smell the flower

Breathe out and blow bubbles

Repeat 3 times

MOVEMENT ACTIVITY

Rock out with Fresh Start Fitness from GoNoodle

ADDITIONAL PARENT RESOURCES

Self Help Inc./CFCE | Website