Tools for Emotional Well-Being
To honor the time you spend supporting the emotional well-being of kids, we’ve curated this special selection of Walden Wise tools and activities to help you support your own well-being (plus a few goodies you can share with the kids in your life too!). Our CoCreator Collection now includes hundreds of tools, ideas, and resources for adults and for adults to use with kids. Enjoy this special selection of some of our favorites.
The Four S’s of Well-Being
Self-Acceptance, Self-Compassion, Self-Awareness, Self-Connection
Empowering kids’ emotional well-being begins with cultivating your own. As a CoCreator, developing a mindset grounded in the Four S’s—Self-Connection, Self-Compassion, Self-Awareness, and Self-Acceptance—lays the foundation for meaningful and effective support.
Self-Connection
Build a deeper relationship with yourself by understanding your emotions, values, and needs. This inner harmony fosters authenticity and stability in your interactions with children.
Self-Awareness
Recognize and understand your emotions and patterns to navigate challenges with clarity. This awareness helps you model emotional regulation and authentic communication.
Self-Compassion
Treat yourself with kindness during challenging times. By modeling gentleness instead of self-criticism, you create an atmosphere of acceptance and growth for both you and the children you support.
Self-Acceptance
Embrace imperfections and see mistakes as opportunities for growth. By doing so, you inspire children to approach their own journeys with openness and resilience.
Download this self-reflection exercise to help you explore your CoCreator Mindset and the Four S’s.
Gratitude as an Antidote to Stress
Did You Know? Gratitude Is an Antidote to Stress
Gratitude shifts your focus to what’s good in your life, helping calm your nervous system and boost resilience.
Gratitude Activity
Follow along with this 2-minute video to practice gratitude with your child—or on your own.
Rituals to Regulate Your Emotions
Small rituals can have a big impact on your emotional well-being. Try one of these 3-minute practices to bring calm and clarity to your day.
Symbolic Token
Carry a small item, like a pebble or charm, as a gentle reminder to check in with your emotions throughout the day.
Mini-Meditations
Take 5 minutes to pause, breathe deeply, and center yourself. These tiny breaks can reset your mind and reduce stress.
Silent Tea Moment
Enjoy a quiet cup of herbal tea, savoring each sip mindfully to connect with the present moment.
Emotional Playlist
Create a playlist of songs that lift your spirits or help you process emotions, turning music into a tool for reflection.
Digital Detox Breaks
Unplug for 15 minutes each day and focus on a mindful activity—stretching, journaling, or simply resting.
Looking for more ideas? Explore the complete list of daily rituals to craft your personalized practice.
Explore Joy and Build Emotional Awareness
Positive emotions are powerful opportunities for growth. Recognizing and reflecting on these feelings—both for kids and ourselves—helps build emotional awareness and strengthens our ability to connect.
In this audio, Lisa Flook, Ph.D. provides a simple and effective way to guide kids in exploring their feelings during moments of joy and excitement, deepening their understanding of emotions and how they shape thoughts and actions.