Lesson: Is This Mine… or Can I Let It Rest?
Is This Mine… or Can It Let It Rest?
(Feel It Fiona & The Rainbow Tree)
💛 Introduction
Some children notice everything.
They feel the mood in a room…
They care deeply when someone else is upset…
They pick up on feelings that aren’t always their own.
This is a beautiful strength.
But sometimes, those feelings can feel big or confusing inside the body.
In this gentle lesson, children learn that they can feel deeply and care about others…
without having to carry every feeling inside them.
🎯 Learning Focus
-
To notice feelings in the body
-
To understand that some feelings come from outside of us
-
To learn a gentle way to care for feelings without holding onto them
-
To build early emotional awareness and healthy boundaries
🧰 What You’ll Need
-
Feel It Fiona (teddy or image)
-
Rainbow Tree visual
-
Calm, comfortable space
🧠 Lesson Overview
This story-based lesson introduces children to the idea that they can feel what is happening around them, while also learning they do not have to hold onto every feeling.
Through the story of Marcus Meerkat and the guidance of Feel It Fiona, children are supported to:
-
notice what they feel
-
gently check in with their body
-
choose whether a feeling needs to stay… or can rest somewhere safe
The Rainbow Tree becomes a safe, shared place where feelings can be held without being carried.
🐾 Activity
Story: Marcus Meerkat and the Feeling That Stayed.
🌿 Feel It & Choose
Invite children to gently join in:
1. Notice
What am I feeling right now?
Where do I feel it in my body?
2. Gentle Check
Does this need to stay with me…
or can it rest somewhere safe?
3. Choose
💛 If it stays:
Hand on heart
I can feel this… and I am safe
🌈 If it can rest:
Hands gently forward
Pause
Let’s place it under the Rainbow Tree
Say together:
"This feeling can rest… I don’t have to carry it"
🎭 Guided Examples
Let’s think together:
-
You hear people arguing
-
Your friend is feeling sad
-
You see someone who looks upset
For each one:
-
What might your body feel?
-
Does it need to stay… or can it rest?
(No right or wrong answers - just noticing)
💬 Reflection
-
How did that feel?
-
Was it easy or tricky to notice?
-
Did anything feel lighter?
-
What helped your body feel calm?
Sometimes we don’t know - and that’s okay too.
🌈 Bringing It Into the Day
You can gently revisit this throughout the day:
-
"Let’s check… does this need to stay?"
-
"Shall we place that under the Rainbow Tree?"
This can be used:
-
after playtime
-
during friendship moments
-
when emotions feel big or confusing
📎 Resources
💛 Gentle Reminder
This lesson is not about getting rid of feelings.
It is about helping children understand:
-
I can feel deeply
-
I can care about others
-
and I don’t have to carry everything inside me
All feelings are welcome…
and some can rest safely until we are ready