Alexi understands his feelings.
This is a story about a kid,
Just like you,
Who is learning new things all the time.
Find a cozy spot where you can listen,
As I tell you all about a boy named Alexi who lives in Russia.
Are you comfortable?
Great.
Now let's close our eyes and take three deep breaths together.
In and out.
In and out.
In and out.
If you want to keep your eyes closed to imagine this story,
Go right ahead.
Now let's begin.
Alexi just turned 10 in October.
He lives on the third floor of an apartment with his parents and his little brother Vanya,
In a city called Seratov.
Alexi's favorite activity is to go to the theater.
In Russia,
They have many types of theaters,
And Alexi loves to imagine he's one of the characters,
As he watches the circuses,
Plays,
And musicals.
Do you ever like to imagine you're someone else too?
One day,
Alexi decided he wanted to be on the stage himself,
So he went to try out for a play at his community theater.
Guess what?
He got a part.
He was so excited to be on the stage,
Entertaining his friends,
Family,
And neighbors.
The morning of his play performance,
Alexi was eating Bellini,
Or Russian crepes,
For breakfast,
And was practicing the lines for his play.
Alexi's mama noticed he was fidgeting and ignoring his Bellini.
She wanted to help him recognize that he might be feeling something in his mind and body.
We all need help to identify our feelings sometimes,
And his mama knows that.
She decided to ask him several questions.
First she wanted him to notice how his body felt.
This is important because every feeling we have makes our body do something different.
If we're excited,
We might jump up and down.
And if we're mad,
We might clench our teeth and tighten our jaws.
Alexi's mama asked him,
Alexi,
Can you start at the top of your head and go all the way down to your toes and tell me what your body is feeling?
Alexi started at the top of his head and said,
My brain feels a little jumpy right now.
He continued down his body and noticed his heart was pumping really fast.
Then he said,
My heart is booming fast and my legs feel like they want to run away.
Alexi's mama wants to help Alexi understand his feelings,
But she knows that he knows his feelings better than she does.
And guess what?
You are the expert on your own feelings too.
Alexi's mama helps by asking,
I hear you saying that your head is jumpy,
Your heart is racing and your legs want to run.
Can you think of a feeling word that describes those things your body is doing?
Alexi thought about it for a moment and then said,
I think I feel nervous for the play performance tonight.
When I'm nervous,
I want to run away so I don't have to do it.
And my heart beats fast.
I didn't realize I was nervous to perform.
Then Alexi's mom said,
I'm proud of you for noticing that.
That is something we can do together to help you work out your nervous feelings.
Alexi thought carefully and then remembered that getting a big hug from his mama helps him calm down his beating heart and that saying positive words helps his brain calm down.
Mama said,
Alexi,
Can you give me a hug and remind me that I can do my best?
Of course,
I want to help you feel more calm.
I know you have a lot of responsibility in the play and that makes you nervous,
But you're going to do your best and whatever happens,
I know I'll be proud of you.
Alexi got a hug and listened as his mother encouraged him.
Suddenly his heart slowed down and his brain began focusing on his Bellini and practicing his lines again.
I can't wait for the show tonight.
Alexi said.
Now I know that when I feel nervous,
I can notice it and calm down by asking for help.
The next time you are feeling something confusing like Alexi,
Take time to notice what your body is telling you.
Go from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet and pay careful attention to anything that feels new or different.
You can practice right now.
Notice your head,
Your shoulders,
Your arms.
Your heart.
Your stomach.
Your legs.
And your feet.
If anything feels unusual,
It might mean you're feeling a big emotion.
If you need help naming the emotion that goes with the feelings in your body,
Find a safe adult and ask them for help.
Then come up with a way to help yourself feel better.
Maybe you can go play with a friend or draw a picture of how you feel.
Or you can ask for a hug and some positive words from your mama,
Just like Alexi did.
See you next time.
