Friday finds
One small smile, one thing to try and
one thought to take into the weekend.
Theme: Who, Who? You Matter Too
This week is about looking after the people who look after everyone else.
On Monday we took our lead from the wise owl, who looks, listens and pauses before it responds. This week we turn that same gentle attention inwards, because the children, teens and families we care for, and the adults beside them, deserve that care too.
You are worthy of looking after, and we are so glad you're HERE 💚
Nature
A little smile: why owls turn their heads around 270 degrees
We've been watching owls this week, and it turns out they have some wonderful tricks.
Owls can't move their eyes in their sockets, so to look at something they turn their whole head, around 270 degrees. They also have twice as many neck bones as we do, and a group of owls is called a parliament. Even wise owls rest, as most roost quietly through the day so they're ready when the night comes.
Three owl facts
- 270°how far an owl can turn its head
- 14neck bones, twice as many as we have
- parliamentwhat a group of owls is called
Which fact would you share first?
Creativity
On our bookshelf: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk. Its message in a line:
Mind and body are connected, and feeling safe matters.
It's a well known and often heavy read about how stress and difficult experiences can show up in the body, and why calm, connection and feeling safe matter so much for wellbeing. Read it gently, in small pieces, and put it down whenever you need to. What we're taking from it this week is that looking after your body, through rest, breath and kindness to yourself, isn't an extra. It's part of looking after the whole of you.
Mindfulness
One to try: a one minute owl check-in for self-care
On Monday our owl activities invited children to look, listen and pause. Here is the same idea, just for you, an owl check-in that takes about a minute and can be done anywhere.
Your owl check-in
- Look. Soft owl eyes. Slowly look around you and notice three things.
- Listen. Owl ears. Notice the sounds around you, then the sounds inside, like your breath.
- Settle. If it feels comfortable, rest a hand on your chest or tummy and take three slow breaths.
- Choose. Ask what you need, then choose one small kind thing for yourself today.
Children can join in too. Let them use their own owl eyes and ears, then choose a kind thing for themselves, perhaps even for a cuddly toy. If you offer it to a group, keep it an invitation, and if noticing your body feels uncomfortable, simply look at something around you instead.
Wishing you a calm weekend ahead,
Jen and Dana
If anything in this issue brings up difficult feelings, it's okay to pause. Talking to someone you trust, or to a professional, can help.
Related owl and self-care activities for children and families from HERE
Want to take this week's ideas further? These free activities from the HERE library fit the theme.
From Monday's owl pack
- Hello Owl EyesObserving surroundings with curiosity, to build focus, calm and a sense of belonging.
- Tune In Your Owl EarsA listening activity that builds attention by tuning in to the world around us.
- Wise Owl MindA two minute reminder to connect with nature and build self-awareness.
- I Can Choose WiselyReflecting on choices to build a sense of empowerment.
Questions about owls, The Body Keeps the Score and looking after yourself
How far can an owl turn its head?
Around 270 degrees. Owls can't move their eyes in their sockets, so they turn their whole head to look at something.
What is a group of owls called?
A parliament.
What is The Body Keeps the Score about?
It's a book by Bessel van der Kolk about how stress and difficult experiences can show up in the body, and why calm, connection and feeling safe matter for wellbeing. It can be a heavy read, so read it gently and put it down whenever you need to.
How can I look after myself when I'm looking after others?
Try a one minute owl check-in: look around you, listen, rest a hand on your chest or tummy and take three slow breaths, then choose one small kind thing for yourself today. You matter too.
How can children join in with the owl check-in?
Let them use their own owl eyes and ears, then choose a kind thing for themselves, perhaps even for a cuddly toy. Keep it an invitation, and if noticing the body feels uncomfortable, look at something around you instead.
Learn more about how owls turn their heads from Smithsonian Magazine