Social-Emotional Wellness Activities for Families

Activity/Craft

Activity - X-Large Self-Portrait, all ages

A child's self-portrait and family portrait can help a child recognize parts of themselves. Drawings can reflect worries or concerns as well as joys and current areas of interest. Use the link below for ideas for an x-large self-portrait project from Education.com

Activity - The Dove Self-Esteem Project, ages 8-16

VIDEO

BOOK LIST

• Fantastic You by Danielle Dufayet illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin

• There's Only One You by K. Heling & D. Hembrook, Illustrated by Rosie Butcher

• Remarkably You by Pat Zietlow Miller, Illustrated by Patrice Barton

• Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

• Incredible You by Rhys Brisenden, Illustrated by Nathan Reed

• Whoever You Are by Mem Fox, Illustrated by Leslie Staub

• Marvelous Me, Inside and Out by Lisa Bullard, Illustrated by Brandon Rebeling

• I Am Enough by Grace Byers, Illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo



• Be You by Peter H. Reynolds

MINDFULNESS ACTIVITY

Sphere Meditation

• Stand or sit.
• Press your hands together in front of your chest. Slowly arch your hands out keeping your fingertips together to form a sphere.
• Press your hands back together.
• When you form the sphere breathe in,
• When you flatten the sphere breathe out.
• Repeat three times.

Pressure

• Find something soft to hug and hug as hard as you can for 30 seconds. Or,

• Stand facing a wall, place your hands flat on the wall at shoulder-width height. Press as hard as you can for 30 seconds. Or,

• Trace your child's hands on a blank piece of paper, have them decorate the hands and cut them out. Tape the hands on a flat surface. Have your child press down on their paper hands for 30 seconds.

MOVEMENT ACTIVITY

ADDITIONAL PARENT RESOURCES

For older school-age children.

• Development of Self-Efficacy by Age from Transforming Education

• Child Mind Institute's multiple resources on Confidence and Self Esteem

• PBS Kids Helping Your Child Build Self Confidence