The morning starts with mindfulness and then we launch into a story about the ripple effects that kindness can have. Heroes have a lively discussion about how they can change the world by sharing language and acts of kindness. They each drop a pebble into a bowl of water as they share a time where they witnessed themselves or a fellow hero being that positive change, and we all watch the ripples emanate from the stone.
From there, heroes are off setting daily goals and doing work of meaning. Fractions at the math table and writing stories of castles and of course, sea creatures. Then comes the free times of our day when play and imagination take over. Free, unstructured play is crucial for children to build the skills they’ll need to be happy, productive adults. These opportunities help wire up the brain’s executive control center, which has a critical role in regulating emotions and solving problems. These games include pretending to be firefighters, animals, superheroes or a rock band. What our heroes are learning is how to work in groups, negotiate, share, self-advocate, and make decisions.
After working hard, checking in with goals and navigating various social settings our heroes wind down to reflect. We play kindness mad-libs and give each other compliments about what went well that day and the gifts that each hero brings to our community. Equipped with tools and skills in mindfulness, aspiration, grit, and empathy our heroes continue on the journey that awaits them!
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