SEL activities are critical for parents of neurodivergent kids. Neurodivergent children often struggle with social emotional learning or SEL. This type of learning can be a bit more difficult for these kids since they have difficulty understanding and processing emotions. However, there are several activities you can do at home to help them out. Below are ten of the best SEL activities for Neurodivergent children.
1. Read books about emotions. This can help them understand what different emotions look and feel like.
2. Use emotion puppets to help them express how they feel.
3. Play games that show emotions. This can help them understand how to appropriately express their feelings.
4. Have them write their emotions down in a journal. This can help them understand and process their emotions better.
5. Practice empathy. This crucial social emotional skill will help them in all areas of their life.
6. Read a story and talk about how the characters feel. This can help them understand how others feel and why they feel that way.
7. Talk about how your kids would feel in the characters' shoes. This can help them understand empathy and compassion.
8. Discuss the emotions you see in a book or a story. This can help them understand how different emotions can affect a situation.
9. Brainstorm solutions to social emotional problems. This can help them problem-solve in a social emotional context.
10. Model appropriate social emotional behavior. This is one of the most important things you can do as a parent or caregiver.
As the mother of multiple neurodivergent children, I can attest that we have used these strategies at home. They are both helpful for child development and are a great way to play with your kids! I hope you enjoy these SEL activities in your home.