Kids learn best through play! That’s because it’s easier to pay attention to playful things, and also because the neurotrophic factors the brain produces during play make it easier to remember what you’ve learned.
In previous articles, I have shared about the Feelings Habit Animals (take the quiz!). The relatable feelings animals provide a playful way to get kids to talk about feelings. But not only do we want kids to be aware of feelings, we also want them learn how to skillfully respond. Enter the Resilience Habit Animals.
The Five Resilience Animals
There are five resilience animals: Spots the giraffe, Buddy the dog, Snuggles the bunny, Doodles the dolphin, and Sunny (the sun is grouped with the animals for simplicity). Spots helps us to spot our feelings and our five senses, and Buddy reminds us that we’re not alone in our struggles. Snuggles comforts us when things go wrong, and Doodles helps us take helpful actions. Sunny reminds us that goodness is omnipresent.
It’s always been a challenge to get kids to practice self-compassion in daily life. But when I ask kids how Spots, Snuggles, Doodles or Buddy might respond to a challenge, I actually get kids to engage. And I am beyond delighted when kids later report that they have practiced the “Buddy habit” or the “Snuggles habit.”
Related Resources
- Explore the Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Workbooks for Kids (Volumes 1 & 2)
- Find the Resilience Habit stuffed animals used in the books and classes
- Learn more about the Parent-Child Mindfulness and Self-Compassion class
- Read the Greater Good article on the science of the resilient habit animals in Five Habits to Help Kids be Resilient
- Take the Resilience Habit Animal Quiz
Together we can help kids playfully learn to cope with challenging feelings, and thrive!
Warmly,
Jamie Lynn (with Anjali and Maya’s video help :))
P.S. If you’d like to learn to teach resilience habits to kids, learn more about the Mindfulness and Self-Compassion for Kids Teacher Training here.