Our young friends experience quite a bit during their day.
They are learning to control their bodies, and their impulses.
At the same time, they are discovering how to manage when things do not go exactly how they had hoped.
Meanwhile, they are developing friendships and learning to take turns and make kind and helpful choices.
AND, they are learning how to manage their emotions.
It can be a lot for a young person.

We help them to notice their feelings.
When our friends can pause, and acknowledge what they are feeling, they are better able to see a mistake they may have made.

Earlier this week, we continued to discuss and prepare for Yom Kippur.
Morah Katie: Please tell me what you know about Yom Kippur, why do we have this holiday?
Zoey: We eat challah.
Moshe: If you have had a bar bat mitzvah you don't eat.
Evan: We do light candles.
Morah Katie: What does Yom Kippur remind us about?
Moshe: Mistakes, accidents happen.
Morah Katie: They do. When we make mistakes, what do we do? 
Evan: Fix it. 
Morah Katie: Can it sometimes be hard to say you made a mistake?
Kids: (nod heads)
Morah Katie: Why do you think it can be hard to say we made a mistake, IF we know we can fix it- or find a way to fix it?  Maybe we feel embarrassed? (kids nod)  When we begin to feel an unpleasant feeling, what can we do?
Moshe: Do a deep breath.
Morah Katie: I agree. We can stop. We can take a breath. We can tell ourselves we can handle this.

Moshe was returning markers and the brown crayon container fell.
Moshe: Oh! oh it's ok. It's just a mistake, I can fix it.

On the playground, Evan kicked a ball and it hit Morah Eden.  He was embarrassed. Morah Jillian helped him take a breath.

Morah Jillian: This is an opportunity  a mistake happened. What do you think you can say?

Evan and Morah Jillian walked over to Morah Eden.

Evan: I'm sorry.

Morah Eden: Thanks for saying you're sorry. 

A child who can stop, breathe and tell themselves that they can handle a situation, is better equipped to see that their friend may potentially be feeling upset also.
We help our friends notice  and acknowledge the specialness of each other.

Empathy grows when we can identify with our friends.

Strong connections are created in the classroom.  

When a friend is able to see that a friend may be sad, hurt, or angry, they remember or imagine a time when they have felt those feelings and empathy grows.
We can fix a mistake we made with our friend when we put our attention on them and their experience.
When unfortunate situations occur in our classroom, our young friends are quick to demonstrate compassion and find a solution by sharing or helping.

 

Evan: "F'. fffffff for friendly or forgive.