Morning Moments That Matter

Dear Parents and School Staff,

Each day offers countless opportunities to connect with the children in our lives - whether you are part of a school staff, a classroom volunteer, a parent, or anyone who works directly with kids. One of the most powerful ways to build those connections is through intentional check-ins. Whether you begin your school day with a morning meeting or start (or end) the day at home giving children space to identify and express their feelings, you’re setting the tone for trust, growth, and empathy.

Today’s post is all about making emotions more approachable and creating a culture of empathy and acceptance in our classrooms. And really, who doesn’t want that for their children’s learning environment? (Stay tuned for our next blog post, where we’ll explore how to bring this same practice into your home!)

Building Community, Connection and Understanding

Morning meetings are a time to gather and connect - bringing your class together in a routine way that settles everyone in for the day ahead. You might already have calendar time, weather checks and counting the days you've been in school - but are you adding time to check in with each child's emotional wellbeing? I have the perfect tangible resource for you to add to your morning meetings - FeelLinks Emotion Plush Dolls!

*FREE DOWNLOAD: FEELLINKS FEELINGS WHEELS*

When you incorporate FeelLinks dolls into your daily routine, emotions become more approachable - no longer intimidating or abstract. Teachers can invite students to choose the doll (or dolls) that represent how they’re feeling as they arrive each morning. As you introduce the dolls, give students time to share their thoughts about the different emotions each one represents. The more emotional vocabulary they generate for each doll, the better - it’s a powerful way to expand their understanding of feelings. 

Our FeelLinks Journal is a wonderful tool for helping children grow their emotional vocabulary - and that’s just the beginning. It encourages reflection, empathy, and self-awareness, giving kids meaningful ways to express what they feel and why. There are countless reasons why this journal becomes such a valuable companion in both classrooms and homes alike.

After students are familiar with some of the emotion "names" of the dolls - place the dolls in to a basket/container and invite students to choose the doll(s) that represent h ow they are feeling. Maybe one child shares they are feeling "nervous and excited" while another student shares they are feeling "tired." Each selection becomes an opening for empathy, connection and conversation. You can model follow-up questions and allow your students to begin asking them. 

"What is making you feel that way today?"

"What might help you feel more calm?"

"Can I/we do anything to help you?"

These discussions teach growth in emotional vocabulary, self-awareness, empathy, compassion, relationship skills, listening skills, and much, much more!

Just think...educators gain so much from this as they get a quick snapshot of their students' emotional state as they arrive each day. When emotions are acknowledged, students feel seen, heard and supported; creating a classroom that is positive, connected and a safe place to learn and grow!

Over time, the dolls become familiar, comforting companions in the classroom. Children will begin to naturally reference them throughout the day - "I am feeling like the happy doll right now!" "I feel so proud after solving that math problem!"

A Perfect Teacher Gift

Looking for a gift that keeps on giving all year long - one that's meaningful and practical? FeelLinks Dolls are it! They are more than soft, inviting, cute plush toys; they are powerful teaching tools that help build emotional intelligence skills and connection in each and every classroom.

Why It Matters

When we teach children to recognize, understand, label, express and manage their emotions, we are giving them skills that will support them for a lifetime ahead. Morning meetings with FeelLinks Dolls aren't just a routine, they are a DAILY INVESTMENT IN KINDNESS, EMPATHY, AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH!

What Are You Waiting For?

🩷 ORDER TODAY FOR YOUR FAV TEACHER, SCHOOL COUNSELOR, OR SUPPORT STAFF MEMBER!

xo, Marcelle