By: Saadia Ahmad, DC Elementary School Program Coordinator
Photos courtesy of Saadia Ahmad
In summer 2017, DC Elementary School program team worked on coming up with 8 Truths for elementary youth. These Truths are based on the belief for creating team synergy, harmonious relationships and better understanding of ourselves and each other.
Try New Things, Try Old Things New is one of Elementary School programâs truths. As a youth or even as adults, often times weâre hesitant to try new things. Human beings are creatures of habit and having something constant in our lives seem comfortable and give us that sense of security. This sometimes can get in the way of being open to different experiences and adventures.
This Truth was created to remind youth that change is constant and that we should try to be open to new things and also try old things in new ways to explore, learn and grow. Our DC elementary school program started 4 weeks back (end of August) and this year we are doing just this; trying new things and old things new to self-regulate our emotions.
At elementary school program, youth have been learning about emotional literacy as part of our mental health outcome for the past one year. This year we wanted to have an intentional space for youth where they can identify their emotions and find tools to self-regulate by taking a break from classroom activity or instruction time if need be. This space allows youth to make a choice that is 100% their own. This corner is also intentionally incorporated in our daily mindfulness time at the end of programs for youth to slow-down and prepare for dismissal. This let’s youth practice the idea of trying new things and old things in new ways to identify emotions and self-regulate.
Youth spent the first week of programs creating items that helps them calm down. Some items that are included in their mindfulness corner are;
Some feedback from our youth that we got about how having an intentional mindfulness time is important to them;
âHaving calming kits in the classroom are important if youâve had a bad day or youâre stressed.â
– Sandy N
âCalming kits help me if Iâm worried and it reminds me of home,â
– Daisy V
âHaving mindfulness time is fun because it gives time with friends as I donât see them during morning school.â
– Angela L
âHaving mindfulness time at the end is important because it ends the day on a good note no matter how bad the day was.â
– Alexa L