Hello,
This is Kerry.
And get really nice and cozy in that bed.
I'm sure you've had a really busy day.
Maybe you saw people.
Maybe you played with some friends or family members.
And if you have a pet,
Maybe you had fun with your animal too.
But right now,
This is your time to rest and renew your body.
Because you are getting older and stronger and wiser and more amazing every single day.
And to me,
That's exciting.
I'm happy for you.
And so now that you're all snug and cozy in bed,
Taking a few slows as if you're slowly filling up a balloon and then slowly letting the air out.
And notice how good it feels to just be here.
Safe and comfortable in your bed.
Maybe in a chair.
Wherever you are,
I'm sure it's just perfect.
And as you relax and listen,
I'm going to talk about words today.
I bet you didn't know this,
But it only takes 26 letters to make millions of different words.
That's right.
Now some words are really short.
Super short,
In fact.
For example,
There's yes and no.
There's hi and bye.
There's even cat and dog.
Now some words are really long.
Like Tennessee,
Mississippi,
Washington.
There's even silly words like giggly,
Wiggly,
Or cock-a-doodle-doo.
No,
Words help you say and express lots of important things.
For example,
You can say,
Thank you for helping me.
Or you're welcome.
Or I like you.
Or I love you.
Sometimes our words are loud.
Like when we get super excited.
Or maybe when you're playing hide and seek,
And you yell out loud,
Ready or not,
Here I come.
Or what about when you're playing Marco Polo in a swimming pool?
Those are loud words.
And then sometimes your words are soft.
Like when you're hiding and you go shh.
Sometimes our words are funny.
Like when you're telling a joke.
Like knock knock,
Who's there?
And then sometimes song.
The most important thing is your words belong to you.
You get to choose what to say and how to say it.
Now I'm sure you know this.
But your words can help people as well as hurt.
And so it's important to use your words wisely.
Now these are a few helpful words.
Let's see if you know them.
Do you want to share this with me?
We can take turns.
I'm glad you're my friend.
Let's work together.
I really like working on projects with you.
I appreciate your help.
Thank you.
I really enjoy spending this time with you.
We are such good friends.
We make a great team.
Now I'm going to give you an example of some hurtful words.
Your clothing is ugly.
You're stupid.
Get out of here.
You can't play with us.
Those are some pretty hurtful words,
Aren't they?
Words are not for hurting.
When you hear hurtful words,
How do you feel?
You might feel sad,
Scared,
Mad,
Confused,
Not good enough,
Or even left out.
There's lots of other feelings too.
When you say hurtful words,
How do you feel inside?
And it's okay to feel the way that you do feel.
We all feel that way sometimes.
And maybe you feel sorry and you wish you hadn't said those hurtful things.
That's why it's always important to think before you speak.
And there is something you can do when you hurt someone's feelings.
So what you can do is when you do hurt someone's feelings,
Is talk to that person and say,
I am sorry.
I shouldn't have said those things.
I didn't mean it.
I was just speaking out of anger or sadness or frustration.
And I know it can be scary at times to be vulnerable and to say how you really feel.
But your feelings matter because you matter.
And so it's important to speak your truth.
There are two favorite words of mine and you can say them too.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Those two little words can be a big,
Big help.
And it will make you as well as the one you care about feel better.
So when you hear hurtful words,
What can you do?
You can say words are not for hurting.
Please do not say those things to me.
When you do this,
You're standing up for yourself.
You're speaking your truth.
And you're setting healthy boundaries to keep you safe.
Or when someone says hurtful words to you,
You can go tell a grown up.
You can tell that grown up if that person is teasing you or bullying you or making fun of you.
And you can ask for help because your words are important.
If you think before you speak,
You can use your words so well because it only takes 26 letters to make millions and millions of different words.
So you've got lots of different words to choose from.
And for me,
That's exciting and fun.
So the important thing to remember today is words are not for hurting.
Words can change the world.
Words can build relationships and friendships.
Words can warm your heart and let another person know how special and important they are to you.
Words are not for hurting.
Words are beautiful things.
Because you are important.
You're good enough.
How you think and feel matters.
And you have so many kind words that you can use.
Like thank you.
You're welcome.
Let me get the door for you.
Do you need my help?
I really like playing with you.
You make me laugh and smile.
I want to snuggle.
I want to play.
And I want to sleep.
And so you can now.
You can dream and drift off into those sweet dreams.
Remembering to use your words wisely for words are not for hurting.
And so you think before you speak your words.
And you choose your words carefully.
It's always a good reminder.
And we have so many wonderful words to choose.
And so you choose kind words.
Respectful words.
Caring and loving words.
As those eyes get so heavy.
And you sleep.
That deep peaceful sound.
Sleep.
Sweet dreams sweetie.
And good night.
Good night.
