The Science of Well-being Lessons: October

Mrs. Kennedy visited last week for her October lessons. Please see below for what students focused on.

Kindergarten–2nd Grade

Focus: Awareness of Emotions-Fear and Courage

This month, primary grade students learned that being brave doesn’t mean you aren’t afraid; it means you choose to keep going, even when something feels a little scary. Through stories, class discussions, and interactive activities, girls in grades K-2 practiced identifying their emotions and building strategies for courage.

• Kindergarten: After reading Gustavo the Shy Ghost, students shared times they felt afraid and explored how identifying their own strengths can help them face fears. They practiced bravery tools like deep breathing, positive self-talk, and asking for help.

• 1st Grade: We read The Pout-Pout Fish and the Big-Big Dark and talked about how friends can be “the light” that helps us through dark or difficult moments. The girls reflected on how they can both receive and offer that kind of help and support to each other.

• 2nd Grade: In Claris: The Chicest Mouse in Paris-The Palace Party, the girls saw courage in action and discussed how they can apply similar strategies when they feel nervous or uncertain. They explored ways to work through their own fears and how to help a friend who might need a little extra encouragement.

With lessons happening right before Halloween, students were given practical tools for managing fear and finding strength in themselves and others. One of the “aha” moments was realizing that asking for help not only can be scary, it can also be the bravest thing to do… a life lesson for both school and home for all ages.

Being Brave Parents

Parent Tip: Model courage in small, everyday ways. Let your child see you take a deep breath before trying something new, admitting when you feel nervous, and doing it anyway. This normalizes fear as part of growth.

Try This: Share a “brave moment” at dinner … something you each did even though it felt scary.

Inspiration: Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown explores the power of courage, vulnerability, and belonging.

3rd–5th Grade 

Focus: Connection, Courage, and Gratitude

Girls in the intermediate grades built on the September lessons of awareness and relationship skills by focusing on confidence in decision-making, healthy friendships, and gratitude. Each grade explored a unique story and applied positive psychology tools to real-life situations.

• 3rd Grade: After reading Waffle Can’t Decide, students examined self-efficacy (the belief in one’s ability) to make decisions and take action. They practiced a four-step decision-making process and applied it to scenarios where they might otherwise “waffle” or feel stuck.

• 4th Grade: The girls enjoyed the pun filled story Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast. Students revisited the importance of belonging and explored cooperation over competition in friendships. Through the story and “Friendship Fix-Up” prompts, they applied strategies for resolving conflicts and strengthening relationships.

• 5th Grade: Building on last month’s theme of “noticing,” students read The Candy Dish and reflected on gratitude for both big and small things in their life. They created their own “Savoring the Sweetness” reflections, identifying a particular moment and person they are grateful for from the past, present, and future.

  Together, these lessons encouraged the girls to act with confidence, care for their friendships, and express appreciation; all cornerstones of wellbeing that support both happiness and community.

Confident Decisions & Gratitude for Grown-ups 

Parent Tip: Strengthen your own self-efficacy by practicing mindful decision-making. When facing a choice, pause to identify options, consider possible outcomes, and reflect on your values before deciding. Modeling this helps children see that good decisions take thought and practice, not perfection.

Try This: End the day with a quick “Gratitude Snapshot”: share one thing you appreciated from the day and one choice you feel proud of making.

Inspiration: In the Paradox of Choice, longtime Swarthmore College professor Barry Schwartz shares that an excess of options can lead to decision paralysis, anxiety, and diminished satisfaction. He suggests becoming a “satisficer” (someone who accepts “good enough”) instead of a “maximizer” (someone who needs the absolute best) to simplify choices and improve one’s wellbeing. 

Middle School (6th–8th Grade)

Focus: The Power of Positive Emotions (The “P” in PERMA)

In middle school, students began a deeper exploration of the PERMA model by focusing on the first pillar: Positive Emotions. They learned about how our brains naturally focus on the negative (negativity bias) and how intentionally cultivating positive emotions helps them recharge, build resilience, and think more creatively.

The girls were introduced to Dr. Barbara Fredrickson’s Broaden and Build Theory, learning how positive emotions expand our awareness and strengthen social and cognitive resources.  Extra emphasis was given on the 3:1 ratio of positive to negative emotions to reinforce the need to intentionally seek out the positive as a way to thrive personally and relationally.

Each class engaged in an interactive activity designed to build awareness and experience the benefits of a positive intervention (an intentional exercise aimed to heighten a positive emotion):

• 6th Grade: Strengthened amusement through playing a fun and silly popper activity with a partner.

• 7th Grade: Sparked joy and amusement by playing rounds of the game Quick Cups.

• 8th Grade: Heightened their gratitude muscle through “Gratitude Ping Pong” with a partner, alternating sharing (and not repeating) someone or something they appreciate.

The girls also explored and reflected on the ten most powerful positive emotions identified in Fredrickson’s research. Every girl leaving with a personal snapshot of her own connection to what elicits an increase in each of the ten emotions.

Through these activities, the girls realized that just as we need to charge a device or add to our savings, we also need to intentionally invest in our own positive emotion reservoir for wellbeing and success.

Adults Can Recharge with Positivity Too

Parent Tip: Balance your brain’s negativity bias by intentionally noticing positive emotions throughout the day; emotions such as amusement, serenity, gratitude, or hope. The more you savor positive moments, the more resilient you become.

Try This: At bedtime or during car rides, name one small joy from the day  such as something that made you laugh, a kind word someone said, or a moment of calm.
Inspiration: Happier with Gretchen Rubin podcast or The Science of Happiness podcast both offer short episodes that highlight real-life positive emotion practices.