Step Into My Sessions: Kimochis® supports students of all ages

Gorgeous art created by a group of 8th grade students.

For many of my students, the start of 2025 has been tricky and stressful. 😣 Ranging from the stress of hearing about high school and college applications to worries about the economy and funding cuts to programs that are important to my students and their families, I am finding it even more important to help my students feel safe and joyful in our sessions.

Recognize and Reflect

For all of us, sometimes it’s hard to recognize and reflect on our feelings, especially those in the sad, angry or worried families. Or, during a difficult time, to remember our joyful and happy feelings. 🌞
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One day last week, four 8th grade boys spent some time digging through the bowl of Kimochis® feelings that’s always front and center in my office. They were coming in from the rain, and there it was. No cuing needed.

As they gathered, they just started looking through it, holding and thinking about feelings, naming them, discussing alternative feeling labels for them (e.g. “this says disappointed, but I think he’s worried”) and spinning them around on the table. Spinning led to lining up, which led to the “let’s make a rainbow” idea. 🌈 So wonderful! The result is the photo above. What a terrific warm-up for a successful social group.

Transitions to Safe Spaces

Lots of our students come to our groups during or at the end of a long day. A day perhaps that contained criticism, ostracism, or just unhappy moments. It can take just a few minutes to set the tone for our groups. ✨ To bridge from the outside world and all that the world carries, to inside our groups – groups during which our students feel safe, liked and understood. 💙

Need some great materials to support such transitions? Check out Kimochis® below. Great stuff, even for older students!