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The Little Heart Echo
TARGET:
3-5 years
INTENSITY:
3–5 min / As needed
LEARNING GOAL
Developing Emotional Awareness When Interacting with Others (aiming for a positive solution-seeking stance)
PEDAGOGICAL INTENTION
Identifying My Emotions When Interacting with Others
Target SKILLS
Socio-emotional Intelligence
Co-Intelligence Human-Human
Well-Being
MATERIALS
None or stuffed animal
DETAILED PROCEDURE
This activity works best one-on-one, or with one child at a time within a small group. Crouch to the child's level right after a play activity ends.
Step 1
Invite calm by saying: "Shh... listen to your heart. Is it beating fast or gently?"
Step 2
Gently guide the child's hand to their chest to feel their heartbeat.
Step 3
Validate the calming: "Your body is nice and calm after that game."
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Step 9
Step 10
PROGRESS INDICATORS
The child accepts adult contact and stays calm for 30 seconds.
Research Foundations
Damasio (1999)
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