Healthy Living

What to Do When You AAAAAAACCCHHOOOOOO!

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It is that time of year again! Youth are back in school, cold and flu season is upon us, and once cold weather arrives, we might be spending more time indoors. All these factors mean an increase in the risk of illness. But do not worry. There are a few simple things you can do to stay healthy this fall and winter. After all, the fourth H is Health!

AAAAAAACCCHHOOOOOO! What should you do when you sneeze? Trap it! Sneeze into a tissue (then throw the tissue away) or sneeze into your sleeve at the shoulder or elbow. Even sneezing into your hands is a better choice than letting it fly! If you sneeze or cough into your hands, be sure to wash your hands afterwards.

If you sneeze without trapping it, your sneeze can travel up to 25 feet in 10 seconds! An effective way to demonstrate this concept is to take a 25 feet long piece of string or yarn, ask a Cloverbud to hold one end and pretend to sneeze while you unravel the string or yarn and see how much of the room it covers.

Another important way to stay healthy is by properly washing your hands. Teaching your Cloverbuds the importance of correct hand washing can easily be done with some washable paint, soap, and water.

Supplies

  • washable paint
  • soap
  • sink for hand washing
  • paper towels

What to Do

  1. Place a large drop of washable paint on one hand of each Cloverbud. Ask them to rub it on their hands as if they were using hand lotion. Be sure the paint goes onto the backs of their hands, between their fingers, and around their fingernails. Let the paint dry for 2–3 minutes.
  2. Ask the Cloverbuds to go to the sink and place their hands briefly under the water. Talk with them about how much paint is removed. Ask if this is how they usually wash their hands.
  3. Next, ask Cloverbuds to put their hands under the running water and rub their hands together. Ask them questions such as, did more paint come off or why did more paint come off?
  4. Add soap and see what happens. Ask each Cloverbud to add soap to their hands and wash their hands while counting to five. Discuss questions such as does more paint come off, why do you think more paint came off, did the paint come off some people’s hands more than other, or why do you think that happened?
  5. Lastly, teach Cloverbuds how to wash their hands the correct way. To wash their hands correctly they should use soap and water and scrub their hands for 20 seconds. To know how long 20 seconds is, sing the alphabet song, happy birthday or even Row Your Boat two times. While singing, Cloverbuds should rub their hands together to create a lather and spread the soap all over the fronts and backs of their hands, between their fingers and around their fingernails. You might want to demonstrate how to properly scrub as you explain. When they are done washing, they should rinse all the soap off and dry their hands. Ask the Cloverbuds to wash their hands this way and see what happens to the paint. Pick a song and start scrubbing. Ask questions such as, is all the paint gone or why do you think more paint came off this way?

Explain to Cloverbuds when they rub their hands together lather is created. The germs and dirt are trapped in the soap and gets rinsed away.  Now dry their hands with a towel or air dryer. Tell them another fantastic way to dry their hands is to shake them in the air. Tell them to not wipe clean hands on their clothes to dry them.

Properly washing your hands is the best way to kill the germs that can make you sick. If you do an excellent job of washing your hands, you will stay healthier and so will your family.

A few tips to remember:

  • 20 seconds is how long you need to scrub your hands with soap.
  • Do not play in the bubbles in the sink. That is where the dirt and germs are.
  • Dry your hands properly, not by wiping them on your clothes.
  • Always wash your hands before you eat.

So, the next time you AAAAAAACCCHHOOOOOO, do not worry, you know what to do!

Resources:

 sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities/hand-washing

 cdc.gov/handwashing/pdf/wash-your-hands-poster-english2020-p.pdf

 You can check online to find videos that demonstrate the paint experiment and proper wash washing.

Images from stockadobe.com

Back to School in the Kitchen with Cloverbuds

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What a busy time of year as youth start back to school.  As schedules get busier with school events and activities, Cloverbud age youth can help in a variety of ways, especially in the kitchen.

Cloverbud age youth want to help.  For instance, you can pack lunches together.  Allow the youth to select a fruit or vegetable for their lunch.  When you are at the grocery, see if they can find a fruit or vegetable they have not tried.  Encourage them to help you make a snack.  Or do you have a garden so you can try a new recipe that includes some vegetables you grew?

Cloverbud age youth enjoy planning a menu, and possibly even making a meal.  When families ask youth to be part of the decision-making process, their self-esteem is higher since that gives youth a sense of accomplishment.

Cooking can help children develop those important math, language, art, fine motor development skills and more.  They are having fun while learning.  Children can also be creative in the kitchen when cooking.  Allow them to decorate a pizza for dinner or make kebabs. Give them the option what to put on the pizza and kebabs.

For a variety of healthy recipes, visit MyPlate.

A fun recipe in my house with a Cloverbud is kebabs.  My daughter loves to pick out what color peppers we are going to use, the tomatoes, mushrooms, meat, and more.  She loves to put the food items on the kebabs.  It can easily be changed or adapted to meet family needs and preferences.

Have fun with your Cloverbud age youth and try something new this fall!

 

All images are from stock.adobe.com.

Weathering the Winter Blues with Cloverbuds

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Most 4-H clubs begin meeting early in the year while some meet all year round. During the winter months it can be cold and dreary outside. During club meetings, Cloverbuds may be rambunctious, display more behavioral health issues, and not listen as well. You may be feeling more irritable and tired and find it harder to stay upbeat during club meetings. Why does this always seem to always happen during this time of year?

The “winter blues,” also known as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) affects the mental health and moods of thousands of people. Many parents are affected by the winter blues, which in turn, affects children. Children are very observant and responsive to their environment. They look to adults to know how to respond during times when they aren’t sure how to feel. The younger the child, the more likely they will pick up on the moods of others.

According to Mental Health America National:

  • Approximately 5 percent of the United States population experiences seasonal depression each year.
  • Four out of five people who have seasonal depression are women.
  • The main age of onset of seasonal depression is between 20 and 30 years of age, however symptoms can appear earlier.

Winter blues are most associated with reduced sunlight during the winter months. It is much colder than usual outside making it uncomfortable to get out and about. A lack of sunlight and exercise can seriously affect a person’s mood.

The good news is that Cloverbueds are incredibly resilient. To help beat the winter blues begin by finding little ways to expose you and your Cloverbuds to light and exercise. Go outside in small bursts. Open the blinds! You might surprise yourself by how much better you feel brightening a room with extra lamps or by finding out that being outside isn’t as bad as you think. Sensory walks (looking, smelling, hearing, feeling) with your Cloverbuds are an excellent way to do a quick burst of outdoor time. Also, don’t underestimate the power of laughter!

Other ideas to make your own sunshine and boost your mood:

  • Open the blinds to get direct sunlight in your meeting space or turn on extra lights during Cloverbud events.
  • Open the windows to let in some fresh air if you are able.
  • Get physical with your activities such as taking a walk or playing with your Cloverbuds at the park. Playing relay games inside at a 4-H meeting is also a great way to involve a large group and get the blood pumping.
  • Boost your mood with foods high in Vitamin D. (yogurt, eggs, meats, milk) Host a cereal snack party with your Cloverbuds to see which ones contain the most Vitamin D.
  • Listen to a new mood boosting playlist. Freeze dance is a simple, high-energy way to move about.
  • Help others by volunteering or simply helping a friend or family member. This goes right along with your 4-H club community service.
  • Smiles are contagious! Read a funny story (check Cloverbud Reading Adventures for ideas) to get the smiles and laughter started. (Cloverbud aged children tend to laugh hundreds of times a day, while adults average about 15.)

Be sure to reach out to others for support. This includes, planning, prepping, and carrying out your Cloverbud events. Good moods of others are just as contagious as the winter blues. Keeping your Cloverbuds active and laughing can go a long way to get them, their families, and you in better spirts throughout the long winter months.

Cloverbuds and School Lunches

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Welcome Back to School

 Welcome Back to School surrounded by several different colored pencils in bright colors

Fall is rapidly approaching and that means the beginning of school is right around the corner. This is such an exciting time for your Cloverbud! A new classroom and teacher, and an opportunity to sit with friends and enjoy lunch together.

Many parents struggle with questions about school lunches. Sometimes it’s difficult to decide what to pack. Should your Cloverbud buy lunch, or should they pack? Do you have time to pack their lunch each day? Plus, it can be difficult to come up with healthy foods they will eat. Then there’s the challenge of packing food that will taste good hours later. You need to consider food safety, food allergies, picky eaters, short lunch periods, and not wanting to waste food. All these things together can be downright overwhelming!

Buying lunches can help take some of the pressure off. When deciding on whether to pack or buy, begin with buying lunch one or two days a week when you know there will be foods your Cloverbud likes to eat. As the year goes on, your Cloverbud will see other foods and decide whether to try them or switch days to buy. This can help streamline the week, remove a few days of packing from your schedule, and allow children to try new foods for a relatively low cost.

If you’re brand new to the world of school lunches or looking to find new ideas, here are some tips to remember when deciding whether to pack your Cloverbud’s lunch.

Keep it simple! There are many new things going on and lunchtime can provide familiar comfort. Avoid foods your Cloverbud has never seen or tasted before. Now is not the time to try to be a superhero. Other students will not judge you or your child for having chips instead of celery and carrot sticks that look nice but won’t be eaten. You do not need to be a gourmet chef or spend tons of time in the kitchen to put together lunches your Cloverbud will enjoy. Ask for feedback. Did your Cloverbud have enough time to eat their lunch during their lunch period? Do they need more to eat? Was there anything that didn’t taste good?

Practice. Practice packing and eating from the lunchbox a few days before school starts. Check to see if the school prefers all disposable items in the lunchbox. Many children are focused on things other than remembering which containers to throw away or bring home.

Keep a list. To reduce decision making fatigue and to remember what foods are good, keep a physical list on the fridge. Be sure to decide on this list before school starts so shopping trips can be easier.

Food allergies. If your Cloverbud has a food allergy, discuss lunchroom set up with their school. Set-up may vary on a case-by-case basis and can change from one building to the next. Communication with the school is key.

Image of the five good groups: dairy, protein, fruits, vegetables, and grains

Image of the five good groups: dairy, protein, fruits, vegetables, and grains

Mix it up. Do your best to include food from all food groups. Short lunch periods and picky eating habits may dictate this. Do your best to provide a healthy lunch that your Cloverbud will enjoy.

Prep when you can. Some sandwiches can be made a few days in advance. Add condiments the morning of. Sides can be measured, chopped, or sorted at the beginning of the week. Involve your Cloverbud as much as possible in lunch preparation. Prepping in advance allows your Cloverbud to pick out items from each food group and to pack their own lunch.

Adjust as needed. You may have to adjust your ideas a time or two in the first few weeks. That is normal, especially when Cloverbuds find new foods they like.

There is no right or wrong way to approach a school lunch. Through trial and error, you will discover what works best for you and your Cloverbud. Remember, school is about learning, and you can learn about healthy lunches right along with your Cloverbud!

Have a great school year!

Surviving versus Thriving: How are our 4-H Families Feeling?

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We all have felt like we are just surviving in life, it is a natural feeling. It isn’t always the picture perfect image from a storybook we have for our family, but for some this is not just a temporary stop on the journey of life. For some families, this is a way of life day in and day out that causes stress, anxiety and other health concerns on both caregivers and children. Do we as 4-H volunteers know i our families are surviving or thriving when they come to meetings?  According to www.TalkSooner.org, there are several characteristics of a Thriving Family, but we will focus on two of those: quality family time and positive supportive adults for caregivers and children.

4-H club meetings can provide both of those supportive characteristics for our families. What better time to get a family to be focused on each other and experiencing quality family time then engaging Cloverbuds and caregivers in an activity that has them working together at a club meeting.  An activity that allows for creativity and flexibility is a win-win for engaging caregivers and children in collaboration. Designing your family shield is a good activity that includes writing and drawing components.  A family shield can be printed or downloaded from the following link. https://www.nga.gov/content/dam/ngaweb/Education/learning-resources/lessons-activities/greco-roman-myths/coat-of-arms.pdf. The shield should have four sections and a banner across the bottom where you can list your family name. Caregivers and children should complete one section on the shield for each of the following prompts:

  • People we Love (Make a list)
  • Family Fun (Draw a picture)
  • People that we can Count on (Make a list)
  • How our Family Communicates (Pictures or a list)

4-H volunteers should be a positive adult role model that supports youth in their club and encourages children to explore their interests and learn new skills. As 4-H volunteers you can also be that supportive adult that a Cloverbud caregiver might need in their life to move their family from surviving to thriving. Engage caregivers in the Cloverbud experiences during your club meetings on a quarterly schedule or provide time for them to talk with another 4-H volunteer while at the club meeting. I think you can agree that we all can use another supportive adult in our lives and someone else “in your corner” when life throws you a curve ball.

Source: TalkSooner.org. (n.d.). About the thriving families campaign and the Northwest Quadrant. Retrieved on November 15, 2022, from https://talksooner.org/thrivingfamilies/

Take Time to be Mindful

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We live in the age of technology and distractions are everywhere – video games, cell phones, television, hand-held devices, and more. With the constant bombardment of technology, our children can easily become overstimulated and overwhelmed.

Teaching our children to be mindful and present in the moment can help them to gain control over their emotions and give them the tools they need to control impulses.  Practicing mindfulness can lead to greater self-awareness, aid in the development of coping skills, improved emotional intelligence, and greater empathy for others.  Taking the time to learn mindfulness skills at an early age will benefit our Cloverbuds throughout their lifespan.

Cloverbuds need to know that it is okay to take time for yourself.  It is okay to take time out and just chill.   Here are some activities that you can use to help your Cloverbuds calm themselves and just be present in the moment.

Deep Breathing – Cloverbuds can either sit on the floor or sit in a comfortable chair.  If they are comfortable, they may close their eyes or just stare at the floor or the table without really focusing on anything in particular.  You might want to play soft music or nature sounds in the background.  Tell them to take a deep breath through their nose and then softly breathe out through their nose.  Have them focus on the breath going in and out.  You might want to have them breath in to the count of three and breath out to the count of three, as you quietly count to three in the background.  Deep breathing helps the child to become more aware of their thoughts and should help to calm them.  Do this for several minutes to help the children relax.

Shake it Out – Sometimes children may become frustrated or anxious and don’t know how to deal with their feelings.  It can be helpful to just stop where they are, breathe deep, and quietly shake their arms or legs for a few minutes to shake out the anxiety or frustration.  This helps them to focus on calming themselves so they can move forward.

Attitude of Gratitude – Have your Cloverbuds take a few deep breaths to center themselves.  Then go around the group and have each child name something for which they are thankful.  Children will learn to appreciate what they have and be thankful for the small things.

Explore Nature – Take your Cloverbuds on a nature walk.  Ask them to walk quietly and think about what they hear, see, and smell.  Find a quiet place to sit and talk about what they experienced.  What did they notice that was new or different?  Help them to develop a deeper appreciation for nature and the world around us.

Make a Stress (Sensory) Bottle – You will need a water bottle for each child, glitter, baby oil or vegetable oil, food coloring, small objects (buttons, small toys, beads, sequins, rocks, etc.) to drop in the bottle, funnel (to make it easier to add water and oil to the bottle), hot glue gun (to seal the lid).  Give each child a bottle filled about two-thirds with water.  Add food coloring (optional) and gently shake to mix.  Fill the remainder of the bottle with oil.  Ask your Cloverbuds to choose a few of the items to drop into the water.  You might want to help them if they decide to add glitter.  Once the child has added their objects, use the hot glue gun (adults should do this step) to seal the bottle.  When a child is feeling anxious or overwhelmed, they can sit quietly and gently move the bottom upside down and right-side up to watch the items gently floating in the water.  This helps them to focus and calm themselves.

These are just a few of the techniques that you can use to teach mindfulness to your Cloverbuds.  Other options might include simple yoga poses, coloring, drawing, reading a story together, or just talking about what is going on in their lives.

For Cloverbuds (and the rest of us), mindfulness is about learning it’s okay to take a few minutes for yourself and just sit quietly.  Mindfulness is about centering yourself and finding relief from the chaos.  Mindfulness is about being present and appreciating the world around us.  Mindfulness is about remembering to just breathe.

 

Starting Conversations with Cloverbuds

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School has started and children are adjusting to back-to-school routines.  The beginning of a new school year brings additional responsibilities, activities, anxiety, and stress.  As a trusting adult in a Cloverbud’s life, we can help our Cloverbud youth learn to manage change and talk about how they are feeling.

It can be hard to find out what is causing stress and anxiety in children. One way to begin the conversation is by using a children’s book.  When children see themselves in a book, they connect at a deeper level with the story.  Check out the Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Reading Adventures for many books with activities, snacks, games, and crafts ready to go. One book that could be used to start a conversation is The Rainbow Fish, Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Reading Adventure.

Another great technique is to simply chat with the child. Pay attention to the conversation. Sometimes it is difficult for Cloverbuds to identify the word they are feeling but they know something is different.

As you finish your 4-H year and prepare for the next, take time to reflect with your Cloverbuds.

  • What is your favorite memory from this year in 4-H?
  • What do you hope to get better at this next year?
  • What is the best thing about 4-H?
  • What do you like most about yourself?
  • What are you most excited about learning in 4-H next year?

Encourage them to find ways to seek additional opportunities to lower their stress.  Some suggestions are playing with friends, being outside, reading a book, or counting to ten and taking deep breaths.

Links for children’s books about managing stress:

Sources:
Dayton Children’s https://www.childrensdayton.org/the-hub/news-and-blog
Kids Health https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/anxiety-tips.html?ref=search
Dayton Children’s on Our Sleeves https://www.childrensdayton.org/onoursleeves

Cloverbuds Back to School: Create a Healthy Living Routine

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August means it is time to get ready to go back to school and time for a new routine at home. Cloverbud members can help parents, siblings, and themselves determine what that routine looks like. An easy thing to do is to decide what clothes to wear the next day.  Set them out the night before so getting dressed is not such a chore when the school bus is approaching.

In addition to creating a morning routine, you can help your Cloverbud prepare for the school day.  Parts of the school day may be stressful for your Cloverbud.  Talk to them ahead of time to identify what those stressors are and how to address them. Are they worried about lunch time? Have them accompany you to the grocery store to pick out healthy snacks they can pack in their lunch. Cloverbuds can pack lunch the night before, so they know what to expect the next day. Is there an item they are worried about getting opened? Perform a trial run at least one time at home or talk through who may be available during lunchtime to help them open that tricky juice box.

CLICK HERE for ideas to become a MyPlate Champion. Visit https://www.myplate.gov/life-stages/kids for more information.

A new school year is also a great time for youth to identify healthy goals. They could work on becoming a MyPlate Health Champion by eating more fruits and vegetables or playing outside at recess and after school instead of playing video games. The United States Department of Agriculture has a website for children devoted to MyPlate that includes easy activities to familiarize them with eating healthy or making better health choices. A fun activity that might help at the grocery store is MyPlate Grocery  Store Bingo.

Print a few of these cards or challenge your child to make their own and take them with you to the grocery store. Cloverbud members can look for these items at the store while walking the aisle. If you have older children, they can help by selecting an ingredient or two to try out in a new recipe.

Back to school time does not have to be stressful for everyone. Use this year to focus on creating a new routine or trying something new as a family to alleviate some of the stress. Begin with easy steps such as buying more fruits or vegetables on your next grocery trip, having a sit-down family dinner, or talking through “what to expect” those first few days of school. Even one small change can make a difference, and it may ripple into big changes down the road.

Resources:

 

Making Snack Time Fun and Healthy

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Have you ever made Ants on a Log or Teddy Bear Toast?  Snack time is a favorite for most Cloverbuds, so why not make it fun and healthy at the same time!  Young children may be a picky when it comes to food.  Making snacks together at a meeting can make the snacks more appealing and aid in the discussion of MyPlate and the importance of eating healthy.

Ants on a Log is a simple recipe with three ingredients: celery, peanut butter, and raisins.  Clean the celery and cut it into approximately three-inch pieces.  Fill the grooved center of each celery slice with peanut butter to fill your “log”.  Now, add your raisins or “ants” and your Ants on a Log is ready to eat.  Be sure to provide each youth with their own supplies including a plastic knife they can use to spread their own peanut butter.  Have a picky eater in your group who does not like one of the ingredients or a member with a food allergy?  Check out some alternative ingredients at https://www.healthylittlefoodies.com/ants-log/.

Teddy Bear Toast is a simple recipe with four ingredients: Bread, peanut butter or butter, bananas, and blueberries.  Toast a slice of bread.  Spread peanut butter or butter on the toast.  Peel a banana and cut three ½ inch round slices of bananas – place one in the center of the toast as the nose and use the other two as the ears, one in each of the upper corners of the toast.  Wash three blueberries and place one in the center of the nose and use the other two as eyes.  Place them just above the nose in the peanut butter.

Continue your lesson by teaching about MyPlate and the 5 food groups that will help keep your members healthy.  Check out free activities at https://www.myplate.gov/life-stages/kids.  For example, you can have the members color their own MyPlate based on the five food groups and then ask them where the ingredients from their snack come from on the plate.  Help your members make the connection from their healthy snack to healthy choices to fill their plate.

Educating Cloverbuds about the importance of MyPlate and eating a variety of healthy foods will give them a firm foundation for healthy nutrition throughout their lifespan.

 

 

 

Cloverbuds and Social Emotional Learning: Now and for the Future

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Youth’s social and emotional learning (SEL) skills are receiving increased attention, especially because of concerns about a loss of socialization opportunities during the coronavirus pandemic and overarching concerns about youth mental health. Social skills cannot be learned by reading about them in a book – they must be learned by doing, in situations where you interact with others, which makes Cloverbud meetings and activities an ideal learning environment.

There is no doubt that these skills are important for Cloverbud-age youth. How youth thrive may depend on whether they possess a variety of SEL skills. Being able to concentrate on SEL skills assumes a foundation having basic and safety needs met.

Social emotional learning, as conceptualized by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, consists of five overarching competencies (see the CASEL Wheel). The Ohio Department of Education also uses the CASEL SEL competencies. These five SEL competencies represent very broad areas.

  • Self-Awareness
  • Self-Management
  • Social Awareness
  • Relationship Skills
  • Responsible Decision Making

In addition to being important for Cloverbuds now, research indicates that SEL competencies have become increasingly important during the transition from middle childhood to early adolescence because they have been consistently linked to two primary developmental tasks of adolescence—academic achievement and social competence. In the most recent study, researchers studied five more specific indicators of social emotional development. The descriptions of these five skills are below.

  • Prosocial Behaviors: being able to take another person’s perspective, offer support, and help when others are in distress.
  • Cooperation: the ability to work well with peers, teachers, and other adults for a common benefit or goal.
  • Self-Control: being able to control and regulate attention and impulsive behavior in order to pursue and achieve long-term goals.
  • Emotion Regulation: identifying and managing emotions.
  • Work Habits: the ability to work hard and independently, to turn in work on time, to follow group rules, and to put forward one’s best effort to achieve goals.

This study found that there were distinct profiles of children’s SEL skills during middle childhood (measured in Grade 4). The researchers found that about half of the children displayed consistently high scores across all five SEL skills, while others were strong on some, but weaker on others, and still others were low on all skills. The other major finding was that these patterns were linked to distinctive peer and academic outcomes in early adolescence (measured in Grade 6), with the those displaying all five skills faring better. In contrast, the youth who exhibited prosocial and self-control skills were at risk of poor academic competence; the high cooperation/work habit youth were at risk of poor social functioning. Those with overall low SEL skills demonstrated the highest risk in poor academic and social functioning in early adolescence.

SEL and Cloverbud Volunteers

What does this mean for Cloverbud volunteers? A key takeaway from this research is that it is important to help youth achieve a variety of social emotional skills, not just any one skill. Children in the Cloverbud age group are learning social and emotional skills, but they are a work in progress – they are still mastering them. Small group activities help them learn how to get along with others and be social. As you work with Cloverbuds, how you set up activities and the interactions that occur between you and the members and between the members with each other will provide many opportunities to reinforce these skills. Encourage them to work with and talk to each other. These practices will create a positive social climate.

It’s easy to see how these SEL skills will help Cloverbuds get along in the world now and in the future. However, because they are more self-centered, it will be a while before Cloverbuds are totally able to see something from someone else’s perspective. Developing self-control allows them to share with others and to stay focused. Rules help establish group norms while teaching work habits, self-control, and emotion regulation. These rules should be focused on safety and well-being. If corrections are needed, the best practice is to start by getting the child’s attention by using their name, restating your expectations, and giving a specific instruction on how they can correct their behavior. When giving directions, start off by saying, “Soon, but not yet,…” and keep the number of steps simple.

In addition, you can teach these skills directly. For example, The Big Book of Cloverbud Activities has activities titled “My Feelings”; these activities help Cloverbuds learn to recognize and label emotions. Activities must take into account children’s developmental stage. For example, there is a gradual shift from the ability to recognize and name different emotional states (what does an angry face look like, and how is anger different from or similar to sadness?) to understanding that different people can have different emotional reactions to the same situation because of their own personal experiences and preferences (I feel angry when X happens, but my best friend feels sad).

These skills can also be embedded in many other activities. For example, many games involve waiting to take a turn. A game of “Freeze Frame” (play some music and when you pause, they are to freeze in whatever pose they are in when the music stops) can work on managing impulsivity. Another great way is to use books to introduce SEL concepts. Fortunately, there are many such books available (for example, see the Denver Public Library and the Deschutes Public Library for lists).

Developing SEL skills is not a one-shot deal; it’s a process that unfolds over time. As a Cloverbud volunteer, you get to be part of the process!

References

Collaborative for Academic, Emotional, and Social Learning. (n.d.). What is the CASEL framework? https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/what-is-the-casel-framework/

Denver Public Library. (n.d.). Books for social, emotional, and academic learning. https://kids.denverlibrary.org/blog/k-3/books-social-emotional-and-academic-learning

Deschutes Public Library. (n.d.). DPL Kids: Social emotional learning (SEL) picture books. https://dpl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/362500057/1258121077

Ferrari, T. (2021, January). Using books to discuss mental, emotional, and social health. Cloverbud Connections. https://u.osu.edu/cloverbudconnections/2021/01/18/using-books-to-discuss-mental-emotional-and-social-health/

Jones, S. M., & Doolittle, E. J. (2017). Social and emotional learning: Introducing the issue. The Future of Children, 27(1), 3‒12. https://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/Documents/FOC-Spring-Vol27-No1-Compiled-Future-of-Children-spring-2017.pdf

Ma, T.-L., Zarrett, N., Puente, K., Liu, Y., Vandell, D. L., Simpkins, S. D., & Yu, M. V. B. (2022). Longitudinal links between profiles of social emotional behaviors in childhood and functioning in early adolescence. Journal of Early Adolescence, 42(6), 765–792. https://doi.org/10.1177/02724316221078829

Matheis, L. (2021, December 2). Rebuilding children’s social skills during COVID. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/special-matters/202112/rebuilding-children-s-social-skills-during-covid

Ohio Department of Education. (2019). Social and emotional learning standards. https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Learning-in-Ohio/Social-and-Emotional-Learning/Social-and-Emotional-Learning-Standards

U.S. Surgeon General. (2021). Protecting youth mental health: The U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory. https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/youth-mental-health/index.html