• MONDAY JUNE 1

  • mindful activity for adults & kids

    • Check in with yourself and/or have your kids do the same. How are you feeling, physically & emotionally?​  Be honest.  There is no 'right' answer and all feelings are valid.

  • kindness toward self & others

    • What is it you need?  Ask yourself and/or your kids.  Create a daily or weekly schedule that incorporates these things.  This is a skeleton schedule, meant to provide structure while allowing for flexibility.  There is no right way: challenge yourself if you'd like or take it easy if you'd like.  Do not compare your day to others'.

  • educational activity

    • "Emotions" educational video for children (11:08)

  • creative activity

    • Adults and kids alike should take some time to write, draw, and/or journal about how you are feeling.  Drawing pictures of feelings is particularly helpful for children.  Journals for all ages or writing prompts are excellent tools.  See if this is something you and/or your children would like to incorporate each week.​

  • additional resources

    • TED Talk on emotional first aid (17:16)​

    • Disney's "Inside Out" movie (PG, 95 mins)

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• TUESDAY JUNE 2

  • mindful activity for adults & kids

    • Take some time to step outside of your bubble.  Particularly when isolated, it is easy to stay mentally trapped in what is happening right in front of us.  While it is important to stay present, it is also important to stay connected.  Considering other perspectives and views is important for staying grounded.​

  • kindness toward self & others

    • Perspective is important.  It's sometimes hard to change our perspective when stuck in one place, but it is necessary.  For example, instead of saying, "I am stuck at home," change your perspective to, "I get to be safe at home."  Consider the perspectives of medical workers and others.  Think and discuss how to treat others with kindness and consider that we are all experiencing something challenging right now, though that might impact each of us differently. 

  • educational activity

    • To really take a look at things from a different perspective, here are some virtual tours of life on the International Space Station.  There is room for discussion about life AWAY from home on the ISS and what things we might have right now that astronauts would really look forward to having when they return.​

  • creative activity

    • Following the ISS videos, get your kids thinking about life in space and what the solar system looks like from outer space.  Here are a few ideas for making solar system craft projects.

  • additional resources

    • You can learn more about life in isolation, perspective, and a year of living in outer space from Retired Astronaut, Scott Kelly, by reading his books: for adults/teens & for young readers.

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• WEDNESDAY JUNE 3

  • mindful activity for adults & kids​

    • Make space for using different parts of your brain for more than just the day-to-day activities.  Is there something you'd like to learn?  Is there something you'd like to create?  Without putting too much pressure on yourself or your kids, think about additional ways you could stimulate creative & critical thinking.​  

  • kindness toward self & others

    • What are some fun ways you are already learning and creating?  Be kind to yourself.  If you want to learn to knit, do so, but if you don't have the energy, do not force it upon yourself.  There are many simple ways to add learning into your day, such as watching an nature show with your family, or using pizza slices to explore fractions.  If you want to use this time to do more, do so, but if you want to use this time to take the pressure off, find something you already know how to do and just enjoy it more.

  • educational activity

    • "Wild Kratts" is an excellent example of a fun way for kids to learn, without it feeling like summer school.  The PBS Kids' show teaches kids about animals, nature, science, and more. 

  • creative activity

    • In the show, the brothers use 'creature power suits' to turn into various wild animals.  Learn about an animal or group of animals, then draw or make a creature power suit.  Be sure to include characteristics of the animal your suit would need to blend in.

  • additional resources

    • Amazon Free Time is a very helpful resource for parents who want to monitor what content kids are using.  You can add device profiles by age, which then supplies only age-appropriate content.  You can also pause devices from your phone, limit apps, set educational goals, add Disney+, and more helpful tools.

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• THURSDAY JUNE 4

  • mindful activity for adults & kids​

    • Though it may seem counterproductive to think about who we are missing, it is actually helpful to let some of those feelings out.  Even those who are more introverted may still be missing some sort of connection.  Kids in particular might not know how to talk about it.  Take some time today to acknowledge this.

  • kindness toward self & others​​​​

    • Make a list of people you and/or your kids would like to contact and how you might best be able to reach them from afar.  Put time on your schedule to check in with a family member or friend.​

  • educational activity

    • Many kids have had less opportunity to write and mail a letter.  Here is an educational video on what that entails.​

  • creative activity

    • Gather paper, pens, crayons, markers, and envelopes.  Spend time making cards, writing letters, and teaching kids about how to put the letter-mailing into practice.​

  • additional resources

    • Consider supporting the USPS by buying stamps online.​

    • 8 cool things kids can get in the mail

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• FRIDAY JUNE 5

  • mindful activity for adults & kids​

    • Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in everything that we forget to have some fun.  Here is a ​3-minute 'laughter meditation' that you and/or your kids can do: laughter meditation (3:38).

  • kindness toward self & others

    • Let yourself have fun.  Let others have fun.  Seriously (pun intended).  Are you making space to have fun?  Allow yourself to laugh.  Encourage your kids to play.  Don't feel guilty about what you think you are 'supposed to be' doing or for having fun.​

  • educational activity

    • A fun and active way for kids to learn and move is something called "ABL" (known as 'adventure based learning' or 'action based learning').  This includes learning and moving activities that help with cross-brain connections and getting out of a desk.​  Here is some more info about what this is, why it works, & what kinds of activities you can do with it: action based learning.

  • creative activity

    • One fun and creative activity involves making chalk art mosaics using painter's tape and chalk.  (This looks especially nice on the inside of back yard fences or sidewalks for others to see.)​

  • additional resources

    • How & Why to Encourage Pretend Play for Kids​

    • Adults can go to YouTube and type in "silly meditation" or "laughing meditation" & take your pick from the results.

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While the order of these activities has more of a flow this week, please feel free to pick and choose at your own discretion.  Most activities have links in the descriptions, but feel free to reach out if you have any follow-up questions regarding anything in this week's schedule. Have fun!