Hello there,
In my conversations with teachers across the country, I often receive inquiries about effective techniques for helping children manage their emotions in the classroom. One powerful yet simple technique I highly recommend is the Grumpy Jar! It's a fantastic tool that allows children to visually grasp their emotions and learn a valuable method for managing them positively, regardless of their age.
You can introduce this activity as a class or seamlessly integrate it into a lesson, encouraging each child to create their own personal 'Grumpy Jar.' Here's how it works:
- Fill a transparent container with water and glitter, and seal it.
- Give the jar a good shake and invite the children to observe the swirling glitter.
- Explain that the swirling glitter represents the brain during moments of worry or stress - chaotic and out of control.
Teach them a calming technique like the Star Breathing Exercise and guide them through it until the glitter settles in the water.
Now, your children will understand that the glitter symbolises their feelings of anxiety, which they can manage using their breathing when they feel stressed or overwhelmed.
Imogen :-)
