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If you’re an elementary school teacher looking to add a sprinkle of coziness and a whole lot of heart to your classroom, you might want to consider introducing Slumberkins into your teaching mix. These cuddly creatures are more than just soft and adorable – they’re also a fantastic tool for supporting SEL in young learners. Okay but before we dive in… you might have a pretty critical question.
What are Slumberkins?
Slumberkins are unique plush creatures designed to promote positive life skills and emotional wellbeing in children. Each Slumberkin is paired with a story that explores important SEL themes, like confidence, teamwork, and resilience. Created by an educator and a therapist, these cuddly companions are not only a tool for comforting and engaging students but also serve as an innovative resource for teaching valuable emotional coping skills and fostering open, empathetic discussions in the classroom. There’s books, stuffed toys, curriculum, games, puzzles, stickers, songs, and even a TV show on Apple TV!
Here are five creative ways to incorporate Slumberkins into your classroom routine.
1. Start the Day with Mindful Moments
Mornings can be hectic, but they’re also a perfect time to set a calm, positive tone for the day. I love the idea of using Slumberkins to introduce a routine of mindful moments. During morning meeting, you can guide them through a simple breathing or mindfulness exercise. We know that mindfulness practices can significantly improve students’ attention and reduce anxiety, and when you pair it with a friendly character, it makes it more engaging!
2. Story Time with SEL Themes
Each Slumberkin comes with its own story, focusing on themes like confidence, friendship, and managing emotions. Dedicate time each week for Slumberkin story sessions. After reading, engage your students in discussions about the story’s themes. This can be an effective way to enhance emotional literacy and empathy. Research indicates that discussing emotional experiences in educational settings can promote emotional understanding and improve students’ overall academic and social outcomes (Brackett et al., 2011). Looking for more ways to incorporate emotion vocabulary into your read alouds? Read this blog post for tips!
3. Conflict Resolution Coaches
Conflicts are natural in the classroom, but resolving them can be a challenge. Use Slumberkins as conflict resolution coaches. When a disagreement arises, bring the involved students together and let each pick a Slumberkin to ‘help’ them express their feelings and listen to each other. This can create an environment that encourages open communication and understanding. According to CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning), teaching problem-solving and conflict resolution skills is a key component of SEL that can foster a positive school climate (CASEL, 2020). And like almost every emotion you can think of, there’s a Slumberkin for that! Hammerhead is a shark that explores conflict resolution, which is perfect for this scenario!
4. Gratitude Buddies
Fostering gratitude in the classroom can lead to a more positive learning environment. Introduce a weekly ‘Gratitude Buddy’ activity with the Slumberkins. Each student pairs up with a Slumberkin and shares something they’re thankful for, either privately or with the class. Research in the field of positive psychology has shown that practicing gratitude can enhance wellbeing, happiness, and even academic performance (Froh et al., 2009).
5. Relaxation and Downtime Companions
Even the most energetic classrooms need downtime. Create a cozy corner where students can spend time with Slumberkins for quiet reading or relaxation during free periods or after completing their tasks. The soft, tactile nature of Slumberkins can provide a sense of comfort and reduce stress, making it easier for students to transition back to learning activities refreshed and ready to focus. I love having a quiet time everyday in class, it’s a perfect reset. Slumberkins can really enhance this, too!
Bonus Tip: Cozy up Your Calm Corner
You all know that I love a good classroom calm corner. After introducing Slumberkins to your class, add them to your calm corner. What better way to use these tools to their full potential but to have them readily available in a space designed for supporting big emotions?
Incorporating Slumberkins into your classroom is a fun, innovative way to support your students’ SEL development. These activities not only provide comfort and joy but also pave the way for a more empathetic, mindful, and emotionally aware classroom community.
Are you interested in exploring all that Slumberkins has to offer? Check out their site to see their games, puzzles, cozy kin (stuffed animals), songs, and more! New customers can get 10% off their purchase using this commissionable link.
