September
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
Materials
Connections
September’s project is all about letting kids get comfortable trying out things that “stretch” them, and allow them to be more independent than before. The point is to do something new independently.
If they’re very young, it can be drawing chalk art on the sidewalk or making their own lunch. But by the time they’re in first or second grade, it should be something more adventurous, preferably outside the home, like playing in the park or walking to a nearby friend’s house alone or with a buddy. A little older still and they can increase the distance they go and do something truly “grown up,” such as buying ingredients from the store and baking a cake. Stepping outside of their comfort zone is where the growth happens!
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING
- Planning
- Organization
- Task Initiation
- Flexibility
- Attention
- Self-Control
- Metacognition
- Working Memory
- Time Management
- Perseverance
SOCIAL SKILLS
- Self-Awareness
- Self-Management
- Social Awareness
- Relationship Skills
- Responsible Decision-Making
October
Spread Your Wings
Materials
Connections
Students are encouraged to extend/build upon what they tried out in September. In September, students were given the opportunity to get comfortable with trying out things that “stretch” them, and allow them to be more independent than before.
Now that they’ve challenged themselves with something outside of their comfort zone, what comes next? How can they stretch or extend that experience/project?
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING
- Planning
- Organization
- Task Initiation
- Flexibility
- Attention
- Self-Control
- Metacognition
- Working Memory
- Time Management
- Perseverance
SOCIAL SKILLS
- Self-Awareness
- Self-Management
- Social Awareness
- Relationship Skills
- Responsible Decision-Making
November
Help Around the House
Materials
Connections
“Why do your actions matter? How can you contribute?” Students are encouraged to consider the ways in which they are ready to step up and contribute in their household. Upon reflection, they likely will discover that they have the capacity to take on different, more challenging tasks than before.
Pitching in around the house helps kids learn critical life skills and can help them see themselves as a responsible, dependable, active member of the household.
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING
- Planning
- Organization
- Task Initiation
- Flexibility
- Attention
- Self-Control
- Metacognition
- Working Memory
- Time Management
- Perseverance
SOCIAL SKILLS
- Self-Awareness
- Self-Management
- Social Awareness
- Relationship Skills
- Responsible Decision-Making
December
Help Others
Materials
Connections
This month’s project is a chance for students to be of service to someone beyond their household. Who can they help out — a friend? a neighbor? someone in the community? This is their moment to widen their circle of service, without expecting anything in return. It will get them interacting with people outside of the four walls of their home, which in itself is a great exercise in getting out of their comfort zone! Being of service to others helps them grow on a personal level and can bring them joy, happiness, and help them feel less self-centered.
In choosing who they want to help out, and specifically how they want to help out, they are learning about themselves — discovering who they are, who they may become, and their power to create a positive ripple effect on their world around them.
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING
- Planning
- Organization
- Task Initiation
- FlexibilityAttention
- Self-Control
- Metacognition
- Working Memory
- Time Management
- Perseverance
SOCIAL SKILLS
- Self-Awareness
- Self-Management
- Social Awareness
- Relationship Skills
- Responsible Decision-Making
January
Think Outside the Box
Materials
Connections
Imagine, Reimagine, Recreate. Repurpose and Reinvent. What better time than the start of the new year to explore fresh ideas and new perspectives!
Students are encouraged to dive into a project that let’s them take off as a creative and divergent thinker. Their interests will draw them into tinkering, playing, constructing, and experimenting. It will fire up their minds to think outside the box and begin discovering who they are!
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING
- Planning
- Organization
- Task Initiation
- Flexibility
- Attention
- Self-Control
- Metacognition
- Working Memory
- Time Management
- Perseverance
SOCIAL SKILLS
- Self-Awareness
- Self-Management
- Social Awareness
- Relationship Skills
- Responsible Decision-Making
February
Take Initiative
Materials
Connections
Students choose a project that gets them stepping into the role of leader by taking initiative and getting things started. “Make it happen!”
Leadership can happen in so many different contexts – on the sports field, at home around family, around your friends, in a public setting, or even when online. Taking initiative can be as simple as inviting a new friend to join in at recess, emptying the dishwasher without being asked, or rounding up friends for an epic game of tag or flag football. For students who are feeling entrepreneurial, it might look like setting up a lemonade stand or hot cocoa stand. Notice how students’ sense of confidence and capability grows as they explore the role of leader!
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING
- Planning
- Organization
- Task Initiation
- Flexibility
- Attention
- Self-Control
- Metacognition
- Working Memory
- Time Management
- Perseverance
SOCIAL SKILLS
- Self-Awareness
- Self-Management
- Social Awareness
- Relationship Skills
- Responsible Decision-Making
March
Build Connections
Materials
Connections
Students will continue to explore leadership by building connections. Part of being a leader is creating and sustaining connections among people. Feeling connected is important for our overall well-being. Maintaining social connections or friendships with people helps us not only during fun times, but also during challenging times.
Connections can also help us navigate disagreements more constructively. We are all not always going to agree with each other 100%. If we have a strong, underlying connection with someone, it can help us handle disagreements and differing points of view with less conflict and more curiosity.
Taking the lead in building connections can foster students’ maturity, support self-discovery, and help build relationship skills.
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING
- Planning
- Organization
- Task Initiation
- Flexibility
- Attention
- Self-Control
- Metacognition
- Working Memory
- Time Management
- Perseverance
SOCIAL SKILLS
- Self-Awareness
- Self-Management
- Social Awareness
- Relationship Skills
- Responsible Decision-Making
April
Love Your Planet
Materials
Connections
Welcome, Spring in all of its colorful, muddy, beautiful glory!
As things continue to warm up, it’s the perfect time to nudge kids outdoors and immerse their senses in everything spring has to offer. This month’s Let Grow Project theme encourages students to connect with nature and take in all there is to notice, experience, and enjoy.
Whether they are searching for caterpillars at the playground or exploring into the woods, it’s a powerful way for them to grow love for our planet and strengthen their sense of responsibility for our planet.
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING
- Planning
- Organization
- Task Initiation
- Flexibility
- Attention
- Self-Control
- Metacognition
- Working Memory
- Time Management
- Perseverance
SOCIAL SKILLS
- Self-Awareness
- Self-Management
- Social Awareness
- Relationship Skills
- Responsible Decision-Making
May
Take Care of Others
Materials
Connections
Encouraging kids to be responsible for something or someone beyond themselves sends them a powerful message: “I believe in you,” and “I see how you’re maturing and are ready to take on bigger things.”
When we allow kids the opportunity to take care of others, they sense that vote of confidence we place in them, and they rise to the occasion! This month, students will choose a project that lets them explore their capacity for responsibility by taking care of others (or other living things).
Taking care of others can look like lots of different things, such as taking care of someone younger, taking care of a pet, or caring for an elder. It can be taking care of other living things like houseplants, a pet, or tending a garden.
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING
- Planning
- Organization
- Task Initiation
- Flexibility
- Attention
- Self-Control
- Metacognition
- Working Memory
- Time Management
- Perseverance
SOCIAL SKILLS
- Self-Awareness
- Self-Management
- Social Awareness
- Relationship Skills
- Responsible Decision-Making
June
Find Your Way
Materials
Connections
This month, students choose a project that helps them “find their way”. As they find their way, they will probably find themselves exploring more, and getting out further in the world.
“Finding their way” in the world can mean different things: Literally, finding your way around! It can mean knowing your way around as you navigate your neighborhood, your community, and other public spaces. It can also mean finding your way to experiences that you want to seek out for yourself.
That could mean getting to know their way around the neighborhood and community. Or it can mean making plans for a summer that includes *independent experiences that they want to have* (which means a more self-reliant kid in need of less heavy lifting from the adults in their lives!).
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING
- Planning
- Organization
- Task Initiation
- Flexibility
- Attention
- Self-Control
- Metacognition
- Working Memory
- Time Management
- Perseverance
SOCIAL SKILLS
- Self-Awareness
- Self-Management
- Social Awareness
- Relationship Skills
- Responsible Decision-Making