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Central Elem. Counselor Newsletter

May 11, 2020 - May 15, 2020

Central Elem.Counselor NewsletterMay 11, 2020 - May 15, 2020

Sensory Play Activities

Looking for fun things to do with your little one's. How about making your own kinetic sand, play dough, or gak! I have provided details about one of the activities below. Click the link for all 11 activities.


Silly Putty

Ingredients: Liquid starch, Elmer's All Purpose Glue (regular school glue can be used but the putty won't bounce), mixing bowl, large spoon, food coloring (optional).


Directions:


  1. Mix 1 part liquid starch to 2 parts glue. Whatever amount of liquid starch you use, double that amount for the glue (1/4 cup of starch and 1/2 cup of glue should make 2 large balls of silly putty).
  2. Pour the starch and glue into the mixing bowl and mix together. You should notice a blubbery type substance forming.
  3. If you choose to add food color, add it to your starch and glue mix. Continue to stir until the mix has soaked up most of the water and the mixture is more blubbery.
  4. Once the mix is mostly solid squeeze, twist and form it with your hands until most of the liquid is soaked up and you have formed a ball that is the consistency of silly putty. You can drain some of the liquid starch or add more glue to get the consistency you want.
  5. You can now bounce it, roll the putty into a ball, sculpt it or squeeze it into whatever shape you wish.



https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/11-easy-recipes-for-playdough-gak-and-slime

Deep Breathing Technique - Shoulder Roll Breathing

*Remember to practice deep breathing techniques so you can put them to use when you are experiencing moments of stress.

Shoulder roll breathing - choose a comfortable sitting position or stand with you legs shoulder distance apart. Slowly raise your shoulders up toward your ears as take a deep breathe through your nose. Lower your shoulders while breathing slowly exhaling through your mouth. Move your shoulders up and down with each breath.

https://childhood101.com/fun-breathing-exercises-for-kids/

Mental Health America

A great place to learn more and download great resources is the Mental Health America website. Although you may not experience a mental illness in your lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that affect their mental health. Tools featured on the Mental Health America website can be useful, even for short-term use due to COVID-19 and social distancing recommendations.

https://www.mhanational.org/mental-health-month


Click the image above for additional resources featured on my webpage.