Self-Care Cards for Pre-K

This activity is designed to help Pre-K students understand and engage with basic self-care habits in a fun, interactive way. The cards include simple prompts and images that the children can relate to easily. Each card provides a self-care prompt and a simple action, facilitating discussion and movement during the small group session.

How to Use the Self-Care Cards

1. Preparation:

   • Print or display the cards so the children can see the images and read the prompts.
   • Arrange the cards on the floor or a table where everyone can gather around them.

2. Card Selection:

   • Invite each student to choose a card from the set.
   • Ask the chosen student to read the prompt aloud. Use clear, simple language, and assist with pronunciation if needed.

3. Discussion and Action:

   • After reading the prompt, encourage the child to perform the action on the card. For instance:
     • Hygiene Card: If it says, "Did you take a shower today?", the child can pretend to wash their hands or face.
     • Nutrition Card: For a prompt like, "Have you eaten something healthy?", ask them what healthy food they enjoy, or mimic eating a healthy snack.
     • Hydration Card: For "Have you had some water to drink?", have them take an imaginary sip of water.
   • Engage the group by asking questions related to the prompt: "What does water do for our body?" or "How do you feel after eating a healthy snack?"

4. Movement and Creativity:

   • Some cards may suggest activities such as dancing or stretching. Encourage the children to physically engage with these prompts, making the activity more dynamic.
   • For example, if the card asks, "Did you sing or dance today?", play a short song and invite the group to dance freely.

5. Reflection:

   • After each card, bring the group together to reflect briefly on what they did. Ask questions like: "Did you enjoy that activity?" or "How do you feel after taking care of yourself?"
   • Reinforce the idea that each action is a valuable part of looking after oneself.

Example Cards

Below are examples of some self-care cards you can create:

• Hygiene Card: "Did you take a shower today? If not, let's pretend to wash our hands and face!"
• Nutrition Card: "Have you eaten something healthy in the past few hours? Choose a healthy snack like a banana or a handful of nuts!"
• Hydration Card: "Have you had any water to drink in the past hour? Take a sip of water right now to feel refreshed!"
• Sleep Card: "Did you get enough sleep last night? If not, imagine taking a short nap now to recharge your energy."
• Movement Card: "Have you gone on a walk in the past 24 hours? Let's pretend to walk or stretch together!"
• Self-Care Routine Card: "Is it daytime and are you dressed? Let's get ready by putting on something you really like."
• Creative Reflection Card: "Do you feel unattractive? Let's take a fun selfie and point out two things we like about ourselves!"

Follow-Up Points

• Routine Check: Ask the students how often they might use these self-care skills at home.
• Story Time: Encourage the children to create a small story about how taking care of themselves makes them feel happier or healthier.
• Art Activity: Have the children draw their favorite self-care activity on a paper, reinforcing the lesson visually.

These cards provide a simple, effective, and interactive way to introduce self-care concepts to Pre-K students, ensuring they enjoy learning while developing healthy habits.

Happy learning and stay healthy!

Self-Care Cards for High School

This activity involves a set of self-care cards designed for high school students. Each card offers a prompt or piece of advice related to a specific aspect of self-care. Students can choose a card, read it aloud, and then reflect or discuss the message with the group. These cards promote active participation, self-reflection, and meaningful conversation about ways to improve overall well-being.

How to Use the Self-Care Cards

1. Preparation:

   • Print out or display the cards where everyone can see them.
   • Arrange the classroom into small discussion groups or circles to encourage sharing.
   • Briefly explain that each card contains a self-care prompt, and every suggestion is designed to enhance physical, mental, or emotional well-being.

2. Card Selection:

   • Invite each student to choose a card from the deck.
   • Ask the chosen student to read the card aloud for everyone to hear.

3. Discussion and Reflection:

   • After reading, have a brief group discussion about the prompt. Some guided questions might be:
     • Does this advice relate to your daily routine?
     • What impact might this action have on your mood or productivity?
     • Have you tried a similar practice before? If so, what was your experience?

4. Action Steps:

   • Encourage students to consider how they might incorporate the suggestion into their daily routines. For example, if a card prompts, "Have you had water to drink in the past hour?", students can pause, grab a glass of water, and note any immediate changes in their focus or energy.
   • Optionally, have students write down one self-care action they plan to implement later that day.

Example Self-Care Cards

Below are a few examples of the cards included in this activity:

• Hygiene & Confidence:
  "Have you showered today? Take a moment to reflect on how feeling clean can boost your confidence and overall mood."

• Nutritious Eats:
  "Have you eaten something healthy recently? Consider choosing a snack that fuels your body, such as fruit, nuts, or yogurt."

• Hydrate to Activate:
  "Have you had water in the past hour? Staying hydrated is key to maintaining concentration and energy. If you haven’t, pause for a moment to drink some water."

• Rest Up:
  "Did you get enough sleep last night? If not, adjust your schedule by going to bed earlier tonight; quality sleep is vital for mental clarity and overall health."

• Active Break:
  "Have you taken time to move today? Try a quick walk or some stretching exercises to reset your energy and focus."

• Connect & Share:
  "Have you reached out to a friend recently? A simple conversation can help relieve stress and strengthen your support system."

• Mindfulness Moment:
  "Are you feeling overwhelmed? Take five minutes to practice deep breathing or jot down your thoughts in a journal. It might just help clear your mind."

• Self-Reflection:
  "Do you feel unproductive or overwhelmed? Identify one small task you can complete today—set a timer, get it done, and notice how this small win makes a big difference."

Follow-Up Points

• Routine Integration: Ask the students which self-care practices they believe they can integrate into their daily routines and why.
• Journaling Exercise: Encourage students to keep a weekly journal of their self-care actions and reflect on any changes they notice in their mood, energy, or productivity.
• Peer Accountability: Have students pair up and check in with each other on how they're incorporating these self-care techniques into their lives over time.

These self-care cards are designed to provide actionable advice and create a space for honest discussion about healthy habits. Enjoy the process of exploring and improving your overall well-being through self-care!