Emotion Regulation Groups
Inside Out Explorers is a dynamic and interactive emotional regulation group designed to help children in kindergarten through third grade develop essential skills to understand and manage their emotions. Inspired by the beloved movie Inside Out, this group will provide a safe and supportive environment for children to explore their emotions, improve emotional intelligence, and learn healthy coping skills.
Each session of Inside Out Explorers will focus on a specific emotion, using characters from the movie Inside Out to illustrate and understand different feelings. Through age-appropriate activities, discussions, and play, children will learn to identify, express, and regulate emotions constructively. The group will meet once a week for a duration of 10 weeks, and each session will last 45 minutes.
The Inside Out movie can be viewed on YouTube or Disney+ prior to the start of the group or you can check your local library to see if they have the movie available for rent. It is not a requirement to have seen the movie before the start of the group but is highly encouraged!
Weekly Topics
- Week 1: Introduction to Group
- Week 2: Introduction to Emotions
- Week 3: Joy and Sadness
- Week 4: Anger and Fear
- Week 5: Anxiety and Stress
- Week 6: Identifying Triggers
- Week 7: Emotional Vocabulary
- Week 8: Calming Techniques
- Week 9: Review
- Week 10: Reflection and Celebration
upcoming dates and online Registration
For more information for participants in grades K-1, please contact Erin Callahan at ecallahan@mainetown.com or 224-257-4861. For more information for participants in grades 2-3, please contact Summer Zumbrock at szumbrock@mainetown.com or 224-257-4863.
Bluey's Big Feelings Fun
This 6-week, play-based program uses the world of Bluey to help children ages 3-6 explore and manage their emotions. Each week, children engage in imaginative play, art/sensory play, movement play, and breathing techniques inspired by specific Bluey episodes, using the characters and scenarios to naturally learn about feelings like happiness, sadness, anger, and more!
Group Goals
- Use the familiar and beloved characters from Bluey to help children explore and express their emotions through play
- Provide play-based strategies for managing big feelings in a fun, supportive environment
- Foster emotional awareness and empathy, using scenarios and games inspired by Bluey episodes
Weekly Topics
- Week 1: Joyful Play with Bluey
- Week 2: Calming Down Like Bingo
- Week 3: Managing Big Feelings with Bluey
- Week 4: Expressing Sadness with Bingo
- Week 5: Handling Anger with Bluey
- Week 6: Celebrating with Bluey and Bingo
upcoming dates and online Registration
For more information, please contact Summer Zumbrock at szumbrock@mainetown.com or 224-257-4863.