Balancing Emotions: An 'Inside Out' Journey through Math and STEAM

Balancing Emotions: An 'Inside Out' Journey through Math and STEAM

Benny the Bear and the Sharing of Love

6th unitApril- May Andrei Cristina Kleopatra Mantzourani Panagiota Ntova Santa Striguna

Love is one of the most profound and essential emotions that children experience from the earliest moments of life. It manifests through affection, closeness, security, and connection with those around them—parents, teachers, friends, and even nature. For children, love is not just a feeling but also a fundamental need that influences their emotional, cognitive, and social development. Through love, they learn to trust others, express their feelings, and build harmonious relationships.

How Do Children Express Love? Through simple gestures: hugs, smiles, holding hands. By sharing toys or experiences with others. By showing empathy—caring if a friend is sad or crying. By expressing gratitude and affection toward family and teachers. The Importance of Developing Love in Childhood ✔ Emotional Security – Children who feel loved develop greater self-confidence. ✔ Positive Relationships – They learn to be affectionate, respectful, and cooperative. ✔ Emotional Regulation – Love helps them understand and manage their emotions. ✔ Empathy and Kindness – Through love, children develop compassion and understanding toward others. As educators, it is important to nurture love through activities that encourage care for people, nature, and the world around them. Would you like some specific games and activities to support this emotional development.

Benny the Bear and the Sharing of Love Division- mathematic work for this unit and for the challenge mission

It was a sunny day in spring, and the forest was buzzing with life. Leo the lion was taking his usual stroll when he came across the bear, who was busy stacking small baskets full of seeds and colorful plant sprouts. “Hello there, Bear! What are you up to today?” The bear looked up, her eyes sparkling with joy. “Oh, Leo! I’m getting ready to celebrate the Earth! Today, I want to share my love for nature with everyone in our forest.” Leo’s eyes lit up. “That sounds wonderful! How can we help?” Bear beamed. “Well, we have these baskets filled with seeds and young plants. If we share them equally among our forest friends, they can plant them all around. That way, we’ll bring new life to our forest and give back to the Earth.”

Leo nodded, excited. “But how do we divide them fairly?” Bear thought for a moment. “Let’s use our math skills! If we have twelve baskets and we need to share them among six of our friends, how many baskets does each friend get?” Leo looked at the baskets and started to think. “Hmm… if we divide twelve baskets by six friends, that means each friend gets… two baskets!” Bear clapped her paws together. “Exactly, Leo! Division helps us make sure that everyone gets an equal share. Now, let’s deliver the baskets together and show our friends how to plant the seeds.”

As they walked through the forest, Leo and Bear explained to each animal how the plants would help keep the forest beautiful, provide homes for animals , and make the air freshener for everyone. Leo and Bear’s mission showed the importance of sharing love and care for the Earth. The forest friends worked together, and soon, the entire area was dotted with newly planted flowers and sprouts, a symbol of their collective love for nature.

Suggested challenge mission:

<< Your mission kids is spreading love for our planet through seeds and new life! Here’s what you’ll do: Count and share (divide) your seeds equally with your friends so that everyone has the same number of seeds! Practice simple counting and sharing to make sure everyone can plant a seed. find a spot to plant them. Each seed you place is a gift to nature and will help make the world a greener place!

LOVE ACTIVITies

The brainstorming

Collaborative activities

Worksheets

S.T.E.A.M.

Science Technology and online games Engineering Art Mathematic

You did great, little bear! You did great, children! Here is the sixth piece of the puzzle.

I LOVE YOU!

Balancing Emotions: An 'Inside Out' Journey through Math and STEAM

1. Science – "Heart Beats for Love" 🔬 Activity: Heartbeat Experiment Children will put their hands on their chest and feel their heartbeat. Then, they will do a physical activity (jumping, dancing) and observe how their heart rate changes. Discussion: "How does our heart beat faster when we are happy or when we love someone?" ❤️ Goal: Understanding the connection between emotions and the human body.

Activity Title: "The Labyrinth of Love: Find the Way of the Heart!"Love is like a labyrinth: sometimes we find our way easily, sometimes we need help, but when we reach the destination, the joy is great! Through this activity, children will understand that love takes effort, cooperation and trust. Materials: For the floor maze: A3 strips of paper (to create pathways) Paper tape (to form pathways and obstacles) For the tabletop maze (smaller scale): Blocks (Lego, wooden, plastic) Wooden blocks (to trace or draw pathways) Tongue and groove blocks (to make pathways) Other building materials (e.g. straws, small boxes) For the hearts and their destination: Paper, foam or fabric hearts A small basket or box (the “destination” of love)