Activity:

Grandmother Tree’s Rescue Remedy

Learning Purpose:

Kids will foster self-awareness and understand that there is self-empowerment and strength in following nature’s way of overcoming adverse situations. They learn problem-solving and emotional awareness, building resilience and emotional regulation.

Objective:

Kids will recognise their emotions and learn to calm themselves using the imagery of a tree in a storm. This approach guides kids to understand that emotions, like weather, can be intense but will eventually pass.

Key Technique: "Be the Tree"

Kids imagine themselves as strong, grounded trees that can withstand different weather conditions, much like they can handle various emotions.

Materials Needed:

Small plants or saplings (for visual demonstration)
Coloured scarves or ribbons (representing different weather conditions/emotions)
A round yellow balloon or ball of wool (for sunshine)
A small spray bottle (for “rain”)

Introduction to the Tree Metaphor:

If possible take the children outdoors for this activity. Explain to the kids that just as trees feel wind, rain, and sun, we feel different emotions like sadness, anger, or happiness. Tell them trees are strong and stay rooted, even when the weather changes.

Read or listen to Grandmother Tree’s Story.

Grandmother Tree’s Story

Billy Beech, a young and sprightly tree, lived in the forest under the watchful branches of Grandmother Tree. Billy loved to sway in the breeze and soak up the sunshine, but one day, dark clouds gathered, and a strong wind began to blow.

“Grandmother Tree!” Billy called out, his leaves rustling in panic. “The wind is so strong! I’m afraid I’ll fall over!”

Grandmother Tree’s deep, calm voice soothed him. “Oh, Billy, the wind can feel scary, but it’s here to teach you something important. Let me show you how to stay safe and strong.”

Billy trembled as the wind howled louder. “But how, Grandmother? I feel like I’ll be blown away!”

“First,” said Grandmother Tree, “plant your roots firmly into the ground. Imagine your roots stretching deep, holding on tight to the earth below. Can you feel it?”
Billy closed his eyes and focused on his roots. “I feel them!” he said, his voice steadier now.

“Good,” said Grandmother Tree. “Now, let your branches move with the wind instead of fighting it. Bend and sway gently, like a dancer.”

Billy tried. At first, he felt wobbly, but soon he was swaying gracefully, even as the wind roared around him.

“And finally,” Grandmother Tree said, “take a big, deep breath, just like I do when the rain falls. Let the wind pass through your leaves. It won’t last forever.”

Billy took a deep breath, then another. To his surprise, he began to feel calm, even as the storm raged on.

When the wind finally quieted, Billy looked up at Grandmother Tree, her branches still strong and steady. “Thank you, Grandmother,” he said. “I didn’t fall over! I feel stronger now.”

Grandmother Tree smiled. “You see, Billy, just like the wind passes, so do big feelings. If you stay rooted, sway gently, and breathe deeply, you can weather any storm.”

From that day on, Billy remembered Grandmother Tree’s advice whenever he felt overwhelmed, knowing he could stay safe and strong, no matter what.

Steps

2 - Imagining the Weather:

Ask the kids to close their eyes and imagine themselves as a tree. Guide them through different “weather” conditions and ask them which one they might like to play out if they were a tree in the weather:

a. Sunshine

(when they feel happy or calm)
b. Light rain

(when they feel a little sad)
c. Strong wind

(when they feel frustrated or angry)
d. Storm

(when they feel very upset or overwhelmed)

3 - Creating Weather with Scarves and Sprays:

Use the scarves to gently simulate wind and lightly spray mist as rain. Explain that even when emotions feel big, they can stay calm and grounded by being like a strong tree.

4 - Rooting Down:

Teach kids to imagine roots growing from their feet deep into the earth whenever they feel overwhelmed, taking deep breaths as they do so. Explain that deep breaths help them stay “strong like a tree.”

5 - Reflection & Discussion:

After the exercise, invite kids to share what “weather” they felt. Discuss how being like a tree—calm and rooted—helped them stay strong even with big emotions.

Benefits:

Emotional Awareness: Kids learn to identify and name their emotions.
Problem-Solving: By visualizing themselves as trees weathering different conditions, they build resilience.
Regulation Skills: Using breath and grounding as techniques, kids gain practical skills for managing their emotions.

Message for Educators and Parents

This program offers kids a nature-inspired method to handle emotions, reinforcing that all emotions are natural, like the weather. By grounding and breathing, kids learn they can stay strong and calm, fostering lifelong emotional resilience.