Our Brain Book is an engaging, approachable book that helps children and adults understand how their brains work as we humans interact. Social-Emotional Learning concepts and human emotions are sometimes difficult to understand and apply. Our Brain Book helps take away some of this mystery with fun, anatomy-based science. Developed for students, teachers, principals, parents to help provide an approachable, the easy-to-understand connection between the physiological brain science to the emotional experience of human communication and connection. It helps the child (and any human) understand the science of their feelings and actions while explaining to the leader, teacher, or parent how to help with co-regulation. It creates a common understanding and framework to discuss our interactions and reactions, and how to make them more positive and productive.

This week children and caregivers will create their own "Calm Down Spot" and Coping Skills toolbox. The calm down spot promotes self-regulation and allows students to identify their emotions. Children can elect to go to the Cool Down Spot when they are feeling overly excited, frustrated or sad. Caregivers can also suggest children visit the Calm Down Spot when they need a break or need to think about their actions. The Cool Down Spot is not punishment or “time out,” rather, it is a way for students to practice calming techniques and think about their actions before rejoining the group. A coping skills toolbox is an actual physical container that houses items kids can use to help calm down and express their emotions in healthy ways. There are a ton of strategies your child can use to calm down, and having a toolbox is one way to keep several of these tools readily available to use.