Brave Bracelets

I saw an idea on pinterest about pocket hearts. A mom made the little felt hearts above for her daughter when she was first starting preschool. She made them colorful, filled them with love and then sewed them up. Slipping them in her daughters’ pocket so she would feel safe and loved in a new place. How sweet is that? Such a genius idea. Here’s my idea: 

Well, I thought it would be so great to use the idea for my littles starting the new year! For many of them it’s their first time separating at school and at dance and it takes them a while to get through the door. I’m pretty good at enticing them in, but sometimes they just won’t budge. And sometimes they want to bring their stuffed animal to class. If I let everyone do that we would have a line-up of stuffed animals as an audience. I guess that wouldn’t be so bad! 😉

I was thinking over the last few days though and had the idea to make a bracelet like this…

and then tie a small heart on it. If someone is feeling scared or unsure I would offer them the ‘brave bracelet!’ I always tell them that if they make it through the whole class they are SO SOOO brave and strong. The truth is, once they come in to class they have so much fun they forget all about being away from their grown-up. I really think they just need a little encouragement. Perhaps the ‘brave bracelet is it?’

The only problem I foresee with this is that even if they aren’t feeling sad or scared they might pretend they are just to wear the bracelet. My experience with this, is to let them try it but put boundaries on it. “2 minutes with the bracelet will make you feel so brave!” Most times they just want to try and once they do the novelty of it wears off.

I also will make sure I have a few but not enough for everyone. If the whole class needs a brave bracelet then maybe we should just do a brave dance! Ha!  I trust them that they will be able to tell me when they feel better and take it off. This can also teach children how to identify their emotions. I think it’s really important to be able to do, especially as they grow up.

Do you have something specific you use that comforts your students? Like a bracelet or a spot in the room? Sometimes a really big hug goes a long way too! 🙂

Speaking of, are you on Pinterest? I would love to follow you. You can follow me here. Also, shout out to Cait at The Dance Buzz blog who left a comment over on Pinterest with this exact idea. Sometimes dance teachers think so much alike it’s scary! I told her I’m pretty sure we are the same person. 😉