RU OK Day is an important day to raise awareness about mental health and check in on our loved ones. It’s never too early to start teaching children about the importance of mental well-being. Toddlers may not fully understand the concept, but engaging them in activities that promote positive emotions and communication can help set the foundation for a healthy mindset.
As parents and caregivers, we can introduce simple activities to toddlers that encourage them to express their feelings and emotions. Here are some free printable RU OK Day activities that you can easily incorporate into your toddler’s routine.
1. Emotion Flashcards: Print out a set of emotion flashcards featuring different facial expressions such as happy, sad, angry, and surprised. Show your toddler the flashcards and ask them to identify the emotions. This activity can help toddlers recognize and label their own feelings.
2. Feelings Coloring Pages: Print out coloring pages with different emotions or scenarios that can prompt discussions about feelings. Encourage your toddler to color the pages and talk about how they would feel in similar situations. This activity can help toddlers learn to express their emotions through art.
3. Kindness Rocks: Print out templates for kindness rocks with positive messages such as “You are loved” or “Be kind.” Have your toddler color the rocks and hide them in your community for others to find. This activity can teach toddlers the importance of spreading kindness and brightening someone’s day.
4. Gratitude Jar: Print out a gratitude jar template and have your toddler decorate it. Encourage them to write or draw things they are grateful for on small pieces of paper and place them in the jar. This activity can help toddlers develop a sense of appreciation and mindfulness.
By engaging toddlers in these free printable RU OK Day activities, we can plant the seeds for healthy emotional expression and communication. It’s never too early to start teaching children about mental well-being and the importance of checking in on others. Let’s create a future generation that values mental health and empathy.