The Australian Construction Safety Journal Autumn 2012 digital eMagazine has been released, view here: http://t.co/6qniRFQj
“Through children’s play and interactions with these lovely KimochisTM characters, children have a range of opportunities to explore, to identify and to express their emotions and to develop a greater awareness and understanding of other’s feelings and responses” says Kathy Walker, Director, Early Life Foundations.
As the latest SEL innovation to impact on students’ emotional intelligence, the award-winning, KimochisTM – Toys With Feelings Inside – are now available in Australia and have fast become a valuable, engaging and sought-after resource for schools.
Designed to support current restorative practices in Australian early-learning and primary classrooms, the KimochisTM Tool Kit for Educators includes a 296-page ‘Feel Guide’, 29 ‘Feelings’ — small, tactile pillows which live in the pouches of the five soft, loveable and engaging characters included with the Kit – Cloud, Bug, Huggtopus, Cat and Lovey Dove. With a facial expression on one side and the name of that emotion on the other, the KimochisTM feelings range from mad, scared, jealous, left-out, silly, uncomfortable and frustrated to brave, kind, curious, loved, happy and so on. Professional training is also included with the Kit.
Helping children develop a ‘feelings vocabulary’ and emotional literacy, KimochisTM provide ‘teachable moments’ around emotions, conflict resolution and social interaction, through the seven keys to communication and the BIG 5 interventions:
- promoting emotional intelligence,
- using positive behaviour support,
- teaching communication skills,
- helping to develop character, and
- supporting social and emotional learning.
With sections on early childhood, primary and Special Ed, it’s the practical ideas on creating a KimochisTM classroom of empathy, tolerance, independence and perseverance that supports teachers working for compassionate, respectful, responsible and resilient children. The curriculum provides a step by step guide to learning about ‘feeling-driven’ behaviours leading to better behavioural choices and better educational outcomes for children, teachers, parents and the full school community.
To view an excerpt of the KimochisTM Feel Guide, go to www.kimochis.com.au/curriculum
To order or find out more about KimochisTM as a unique SEL resource, go to www.kimochis.com.au or call the Education Division on 03 9008 4699.
