Dear Parents and Child Care Providers,

This month, we’re opening up a conversation about feelings, emotional wellness, and the importance of sharing the worries that children sometimes carry quietly.

Our featured book, Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival, gently reminds us that when worries stay hidden, they can grow, but when we talk about them, they become easier to manage.

Join us as we explore this thoughtful story that helps children recognize their emotions, understand that everyone experiences worry, and learn that reaching out for support is a sign of strength. With its colorful illustrations and compassionate message, this book offers a meaningful way to encourage open dialogue, build resilience, and nurture lifelong healthy habits.

STORY

Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival

ACTIVITY

This month’s activity helps children explore their feelings, release hidden worries, and practice healthy communication in a supportive environment. By pairing creativity with conversation, children learn that sharing their feelings can make overwhelming emotions feel smaller and more manageable.

You’ll need:

• A partner
• Paper
• Writing utensils
• Coloring utensils
• A container
• A few deep breaths & an open mind

Letting worries go:

Option 1:
Invite children to partner with someone they trust. Encourage them to name one worry they’ve been carrying quietly. Have them write it down, then take a moment to talk about it together. When they’re ready, they can crumble the paper and toss the worry away, symbolizing release and relief.

Option 2:
Some children express feelings best through art. Offer space for them to draw or color their worries, then discuss what they created when they feel safe and comfortable.

Tip: If a trusted adult isn’t available in the moment, children may place their drawings or notes into a container and return to them later when support is present.

This activity nurtures emotional awareness, builds trust, and reminds children that they never have to face their worries alone.

SONG

“Wiggle Out Your Worries”

This month’s featured song, “Wiggle Out Your Worries: Fun Kids Song to Shake Off Stress and Anxiety,” invites children (and grown‑ups!) to move their bodies, breathe deeply, and release the tension that builds when worries stay inside.

Through simple movements and playful lyrics, this social‑emotional song helps children identify how worry can feel in the body—and shows them healthy ways to let those feelings pass. Singing, wiggling, stretching, and moving all help release stress while making emotional expression fun and accessible.

Encourage children to explore different ways to let their feelings out:

Talk it out. Write it out. Draw it out. Color it out. Wiggle it out. Sing it out. Stretch it out.

Everyone processes feelings differently, and each of these strategies gives children a safe way to express what they’re holding inside. Remember: when worries stay hidden, they grow, but when we let them out safely, they shrink.

We’ll see you at the next First Fridays!