The recent smoky conditions in the California Bay Area kept most of us indoors, creating long and sometimes stressful days for many families. We were forced to cope with a lack of outdoor time while also dealing with powerful emotions of sadness and fear related to the fires.
Whether we’re facing smoky skies, stormy weather, or just a bad cold/illness, we sometimes have to spend extended periods of time indoors, and this got me thinking about all of the social-emotional learning activities that could be useful during those times when we feel cooped up. Here are a few of my favorites:
Mindfulness: Try these breathing activities that are easy for kids to do: https://makesociallearningstick.com/blog/breathe-in-breathe-out-and-something-more
It can be difficult to be stuck indoors, but a focus on games, skill-building activities, and connection can provide a way to ease boredom, stay active, and get kids talking and learning! For more ideas, check out page 16 on Indoor Anti-Boredom in Make Social Learning Stick (http://aapcpublishing.net/make-social-learning-stick.html)