Friday finds
One small smile, one thing to try and
one thought to take into the weekend.
Theme: Settling into the new season
This week is about finding balance and settling into the season of change.
This gentle collection of mindful stories and creative activities can help support children, teens, and families to slow down, appreciate the subtle changes of autumn, and discover their own calm, courage, and growing strength.
We hope you find meaningful support and are so glad you're HERE 💚
Nature
A little smile
We've been settling into autumn at HERE, and it turns out hedgehogs are experts at it.
They love fallen fruit at this time of year, and long ago people believed they gathered apples by rolling over them and carrying them off on their spines. It's probably just a story, but they really are one of only three British mammals that truly hibernate, so right now they're getting ready to settle in for winter. They also have some wonderful old names, including hodmedod, hedgepig and fuzzpeg.
Some wonderful old names
- hodmedod
- hedgepig
- fuzzpeg
Which one is your favourite?
Creativity
On our bookshelf
The 5am Club by Robin Sharma. Its message in a line:
“Own your morning. Elevate your life.”
An early-rising book may not suit everyone, as for many of us it's not possible, but as the mornings get darker, it's the idea of a protected, quiet start to the day that pairs well with settling into the season. Take what helps, such as a few minutes of stillness or time outside before the day begins, and leave the rest.
Mindfulness
One to try
You don't need to be up at 5am to try the idea of a quiet start. A few minutes before you connect with the digital world gives the mind a gentler start, and it works just as well as a pause before a first session or lesson. Hedgehogs build rest into their rhythm, and as the mornings get darker, we can too.
Try it this weekend
- Pause. Before you reach for your phone, stand or sit at a window or in a quiet space.
- Breathe. Take three slow breaths.
- Notice. Find one sign of the season: the light, the smell of a warm drink, or a soft sound in the distance.
- Appreciate. Name one thing you're grateful for this morning.
Children can join in too. Invite them to notice something around them, share one thing they're glad about, or draw it. If you offer it to a group, keep it an invitation: eyes open or closed, whatever feels right.
Wishing you a calm weekend ahead,
Jen and Dana
Related activities from HERE
Want to take this week's ideas further? These free activities from the HERE library fit the theme.
- NatureApples and Honey Autumn Scavenger HuntAn autumn nature walk where children observe and record the season around them.
- Settling inAutumn Harvest BingoA seasonal bingo sheet that makes autumn feel like a joyful adventure.
- Notice5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique Activity PackA sensory grounding activity that brings children and teens back to the present moment.
- AppreciateMorning GratitudeA two minute daily practice: one thing to be grateful for each morning.
Questions this week
Do hedgehogs really hibernate?
Yes. Hedgehogs are one of only three British mammals that truly hibernate, so autumn is when they get ready to settle in for winter.
Did hedgehogs really carry apples on their spines?
It's an old story that people once believed, that hedgehogs rolled over fallen apples and carried them off on their spines. It's probably just a story, though hedgehogs do enjoy fallen fruit at this time of year.
Do I need to get up at 5am to try a quiet start?
No. A few minutes of stillness or time outside before you connect with the digital world is enough. Take what helps and leave the rest.
How can children join in with the one to try?
Invite them to notice something around them, share one thing they're glad about, or draw it. If you offer it to a group, keep it an invitation: eyes open or closed, whatever feels right.
Learn more about hedgehog hibernation from the Woodland Trust