Comfort Container
Help children take a quiet moment alone and soothe themselves.
Watch the video together. Explain that when we’ve having a big feeling, there are a lot of ways we can take care of ourselves. Big Bird uses his comfort container; talk about some of the things he has in it.
To make your own comfort container, invite children to decorate a box or bag (the size and material will depend on what you put in it; a bag like a backpack allows children to carry it from place to place). You might add:
- squeezy ball
- crayons and paper
- fidget spinner
- storybooks
- blanket
- photos of loved ones
- stuffed animal or doll
- fabrics of differing textures
- a small instrument like a kazoo
- bubble wrap to pop
- pinwheel for breathing exercise (breathe in deeply through the nose then exhale slowly out the mouth to make the pinwheel move)
When children are having a big feeling or a hard time, offer or suggest their comfort container and ask whether they’d like to spend a few minutes alone or whether they’d like you to stay with them, like Big Bird’s Granny stayed with him.
Body Break
A quick, playful body break helps children reset by moving, stretching, and breathing to feel calmer, more focused, and ready for what’s next.
Rosita’s Family Quilt
By adding the shirt to their family quilt, Rosita learns how memories, change, and love can turn something broken into something beautiful.
How to Help
When we have big feelings, a hint, high-five, or hands-on help can make the work easier to do — together!
Feeling Your Best
Grover learns that moving his body helps him feel happy and strong.
Grover Explains Cooperation
Grover and the Letter C explore the word of the day.
Bert and Ernie Compromise
Bert and Ernie explore how to compromise.
Kindness Comes in Many Forms
Big Bird and Felix discuss Big Bird’s gift for Oscar.
