As August unfolded, we focused on building character and fostering essential life skills with our students. It was a month full of creativity, self-reflection, and learning that will stick with the kids throughout the year.
We started the month with a fun and creative activity where the kids created and decorated their own "All About Me" banners. These banners were personalized with drawings, words, and designs that reflected who they are. The banners now hang proudly around our room, serving as a constant reminder of each child’s unique identity and contributions.
Understanding the importance of fairness, respect, and learning, we then turned our attention to the rules that guide our time at AYTEF. Instead of just giving the kids a set of rules, we engaged them in the process of creating their own. They came up with important rules like keeping hands and feet to themselves, respecting all peers, and not talking when someone else is speaking. This activity not only reinforced the value of rules but also gave the kids ownership over the environment they help create.
To encourage the kids to adhere to the rules they developed, we introduced a new incentive system. Whenever a student followed the rules, they earned tickets that could be used to purchase rewards at the end of each month. This system has been a hit, motivating the kids to consistently practice good behavior and positive interactions.
On August 14th, we dedicated time to talk about mental health—a crucial topic often overlooked. The kids learned that mental health is something we all have and that emotions like fear, happiness, and anger are all part of it. We discussed the importance of taking breaks and reflecting on gratitude, a simple practice that can greatly benefit mental health.
The discussion continued on August 19th with a focus on emotions. As the kids entered the room, they were asked to write down the emotions they were feeling on sticky notes. We then shared and discussed these emotions as a group. To deepen their understanding, we played a game of four corners, where each corner of the room represented a different emotion. Through prompts like “You are making a new friend,” students chose the corner that matched their feelings and discussed their choices. This activity was followed by creating emotion collages or coloring pages from the movie Inside Out 2, which helped them express their feelings artistically.
On August 21st, our focus shifted to responsibility. We explored what it means to be responsible and why it's an important trait. The students shared examples of responsible people they know, with many naming their parents or peers. We then discussed famous individuals who exemplify responsibility. With these figures in mind, the students created responsibility posters, answering questions like, "How did this person show responsibility in their life or career?" and "What challenges did they face, and how did their sense of responsibility help them overcome these challenges?"
August was a month of growth, creativity, and learning at AYTEF. The kids not only developed important life skills but also gained a deeper understanding of themselves and the values that guide their actions. As we move into September, we're excited to continue building on these foundations and explore new themes that will enrich the lives of our students.
Commenti