Hopscotch Play Guides

About

Description: The Playground is a space where kids can select characters, objects, and backgrounds to craft their own unique scenes. It's a place where they can express their creativity and storytelling skills by mixing and matching the provided elements.  Similar to a digital sandtray, The Playground has numerous therapeutic applications. Therapists can use it to help clients recreate scenes, express themselves in a safe environment, tell stories, teach social skills, explore family dynamics, and process and understand emotions. This activity supports emotional and cognitive development through imaginative play and narrative creation. 

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Imaginative Play, Self-Awareness, Empathy and Understanding, Identity and Self-Discovery, Role-playing

Using The Playground in Session

*Due to the number of creative assets available in the Playground, it may take 30-45 seconds to load on first open.

Explore the library

The Playground has a vast library of elements that the client can scroll through.  Exploring the elements helps make the client aware of where they can find what they need before getting started.

Backgrounds: Bedrooms, backgrounds, outdoors, classroom, sandtray +more

Animals: Frog, dog, cat, fish, lion, +more

Buildings: Bookstore, post office, school, castle, bank, +more

Fantasy: Unicorn, witch, princess, dragon, narwhal, +more

Food: Apple, watermelon, bread, donut, pizza, +more

Furniture: Chairs, mirror, microwave, desk, trash can, couch, +more

Nature: Flower, leaves, mushroom, acorn, rainbow, +more

People: A diverse group of characters of different skin tones, ages, and abilities

Toys: Cards, rocking horse, soccer ball, video game, doll, +more

Vehicles: School bus, helicopter, car, submarine, airplane, +more

Miscellaneous: Whisk, rocking chair, hook, tools, crayons, etc.

Identify prompt for client

Decide how you would like your client to utilize The Playground. Clicking on any of the elements will place them into canvas. Once there, the client can move, resize, flip, reorder, or delete the items. 

Download and Print
Within The Playground, you can download the scene created by your client. With the print, they can write more about the scene, adding details and expanding the story. Additionally, they have the option to create and print multiple scenes to compile into a storybook, enhancing their narrative and creative skills.

Growing library of assets

The Playground is an ever-expanding library of assets, continuously updated with new elements and categories to help kids express themselves in diverse and creative ways.  We work with a team of illustrators to create these assets, and we are always open to hearing from users about additional backgrounds or objects you would like to see.  You can do so by using the Vote for Features button or contacting us at support@joinhopscotch.com and letting us know.

About

Description: Sammie’s Sen5es is a fun adaptation of the 5-Senses grounding technique. The 5-Senses grounding technique is often used as a mindfulness tool to help kids manage feelings of anxiety or overwhelm by bringing their focus to their immediate surroundings.  In decreasing numeric order, kids are prompted to identify 5 things they can see, 4 things they can hear, 3 things they can touch, 2 things they can smell, and 1 thing they can taste.  By engaging each of their senses in this way, kids can shift their focus away from anxious thoughts and ground themselves in the present moment, which can help them feel calmer and more centered.

In Sammie's Sen5es, kids get to pick the order in which they use their senses, making it more tailored to their preferences. Plus, there's a fun timer to keep them motivated and make the activity feel like a game!

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Mindfulness, Anxiety Reduction, Emotional Regulation, Self-Awareness, Coping Strategies

Using Sammie’s Sen5es in Session

Introduce Grounding Techniques

Before using Sammie’s Sen5es, it’s helpful to review the definition and purpose of grounding techniques with your young client. Explain to the them that during moments of overwhelm or when experiencing BIG emotions, doing an activity like this one can help them feel calm, safe, and strong. One of the best things is that it can be done anywhere! 

Allow Client to Choose

With Sammie’s Sen5es, your client can choose the order that they would like to tap into their senses.  They can click on any sense button at the top to get started.

Time to Play!

Once a sense is selected, a visual and auditory timer appears on the screen.  As it goes, the client is encouraged to tap into their senses and name out loud what they can see, hear, feel, smell, or taste.  There is no penalty of consequence associated with the timer.  In between sense selection, encourage your client to share additional items they might have observed.  

Process

After the activity is over, your client may choose to play again.  You can also engage them in discussion using the following questions below:

1. What did you enjoy most about exploring your senses today?

2. Was there a sense that surprised you or felt different than usual?

3. How did focusing on your senses help you feel in the moment?

4. Can you think of a moment when using your senses like this might be helpful outside of session?

5. Is there a sense you'd like to explore more next time we do this activity?

Related Resources

In the Hopscotch Play Print section, you will find a PDF version of Sammie's Sen5es.  This is a great tool that you can print to send home with a client or send electronically to a caregiver.  The client can put this handout in their room, in a calm down corner, in a folder at school, or anywhere else for when they need a helping hand to calm down and refocus.

Incorporating Sammie’s Sen5es into your sessions can offer children a valuable tool for navigating moments of stress and overwhelm. By engaging with their senses in a playful and structured way, they can learn to ground themselves in the present moment, fostering feelings of calmness and centeredness. 

About

Description: This narrated click-through activity teaches kid-friendly yoga poses to encourage relaxation and mindfulness. Yoga has numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits for children. Physically, it enhances flexibility, strength, and coordination. Mentally, it promotes concentration and reduces stress. Emotionally, yoga helps children develop self-awareness and emotional regulation. By incorporating yoga into their routine, kids can learn to manage their emotions better, improve their focus, and build a healthy relationship with their bodies.

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Mindfulness, Coping Strategies, Anxiety Reduction, Relaxation Techniques, Self-Awareness

Using Yoga with Dakota in Session

Discuss the benefits of yoga

Discussing the benefits of yoga with a client before beginning this activity is important because it helps them understand what to expect and why they are doing it. It can make them more excited and motivated to participate, knowing that yoga can help them feel calm, strong, and focused. This understanding sets a positive tone for the activity and encourages them to fully engage with the practice.

"Yoga and stretching are like fun exercises that help your body feel strong and flexible, like a superhero! When you do yoga, you learn cool poses that make your muscles strong and stretchy. It also helps you feel calm and focused, like when you take deep breaths. Yoga can make you feel happy, focused, and relaxed, and it’s a great way to play and exercise at the same time. So, doing yoga with Dakota is a fun way to feel great inside and out!"

Begin Yoga with Dakota

Yoga with Dakota is a narrated and illustrated activity that will guide the client through 12 different kid-friendly yoga poses including:

🦋 Butterfly, ⛰️ Mountain, 🐍 Snake, 🌳 Tree, 🐕 Downward Dog, 🐈/🐄 Cat-cow, ✈️ Airplane, 🐸 Frog, 🦸🏽 Superhero, 👶🏼 Happy Baby, 🌉 Bridge, and ⭐ Starfish

Your client can move forward and back by clicking the left and right arrows.  This allows them to navigate through the activity on their own. 

Process
Talking to kids after yoga helps them understand how their bodies and minds feel during and after the activity. It gives them a chance to share their favorite parts, what they found challenging, and how yoga made them feel. This conversation helps them see the benefits of yoga, like feeling calm and relaxed, and encourages them to keep using yoga to handle stress or emotions in the future. Plus, it’s a great way to connect and listen to their thoughts and experiences!

1. How did you feel before and after doing yoga?

2. Which yoga pose was your favorite, and why? Which ones did you find challenging?

3. Can you describe how your body felt during the stretches?

4. How did focusing on your breathing make you feel?

5. What thoughts went through your mind while you were doing yoga?

6. Did any pose make you feel especially calm or happy?

7. How do you think yoga can help you when you’re feeling stressed or upset?

8. Would you like to practice yoga again? 

Related resources

In the Hopscotch Play Print section, you will find a PDF that contains the different Dakota poses from the activity.