Objective

By the end of this lesson, Mahrley will understand the importance of mental health and how the ocean can help us feel calm and happy. She will learn fun ways to express her feelings and connect with the beauty of the ocean.

Materials and Prep

• Paper
• Colored pencils or crayons
• A comfortable space to sit and think
• A timer (optional)

Before the lesson, make sure Mahrley has a quiet space where she feels comfortable. It’s important to have a positive atmosphere for discussing feelings and emotions.

Activities

• Ocean Emotion Drawing:

  Mahrley will draw a picture of her favorite ocean scene. While drawing, she can think about how the ocean makes her feel. Is it calm like the waves or exciting like a dolphin jumping? After drawing, she can share her feelings with you!

• Feelings Treasure Hunt:

  Go on a treasure hunt around the house or yard to find items that represent different feelings. For example, a soft toy can represent comfort, and a bright shell can represent happiness. After collecting the items, Mahrley can explain why she chose each one and how it relates to her feelings.

• Ocean Meditation:

  Guide Mahrley in a short meditation where she imagines being at the beach. She can close her eyes and listen to the sounds of the ocean (you can play ocean sounds if available) and think about how the ocean helps her feel relaxed and happy.

Talking Points

• "What do you think mental health means? It’s all about how we feel inside!"
• "The ocean can be a great place to relax. Can you imagine listening to the waves? How does that make you feel?"
• "Drawing can help us express our feelings. What colors do you think represent happiness or sadness?"
• "Just like the ocean has different waves, our feelings can change too. It's okay to feel different things!"
• "Finding treasures that represent our feelings can help us understand them better. What treasures can you find?"
• "Meditation is like giving our mind a break, just like taking a rest at the beach. How does it feel to relax?"
• "Talking about our feelings is important. Who can you talk to when you feel happy or sad?"