Save the Children Head Start - St. Landry Parish Program

11/04/2025

Hello to our wonderful families and Happy November!
This month we want to highlight mindfulness tools to use and practice at home with our children! Mindfulness means… really slowing down and paying attention to the world. This practice can help children and families feel happier, healthier, and more in control. Mindfulness works best when it becomes a habit. Mindfulness can be a superpower for young children to feel better, build confidence, and find focus! We want to again thank our friends at Sesame Workshop for this amazing tool.

Together with children, listen to this podcast to practice some mindful mantras with Grover. When children are having big feelings (or just need a little boost), you can remind them of these mantras—that they are loved, kind, brave, and growing everyday!
Utilize this link to watch a video on promoting Self Love with Grover. Your Center Directors will have a handout of the activity for you to complete.
Your Mental Health Advisor,
Krystle Johnson
Mindful Monsters: Self-Love Mantras with Grover - Sesame Workshop;
https://youtu.be/79jYqIWuj3A
For extra support using the Mindful Monsters podcast series, see the Mindful Monsters: A Podcast Guide to Peace

Mindfulness can be a superpower for young children to feel better, build confidence, and find focus. Practice a mindfulness strategy with Grover by repeating...

10/29/2025

Grand Coteau Head Start center had several activities for the children and staff to participate in throughout the month of October. Head Start Awareness week, Breast Cancer walk for the Cure, and Fire Prevention were some of the activities at Grand Coteau Head Start.

10/20/2025

Opelousas Head Start show cased their hall artwork for the month of October. The students have been learning about a lot of new things, and they are glowing in their showing. Class 12 teachers even made their own washer and dryer for the clothes study. The kids created their own shirt and pant and will bring home a family assignment to make their own shoe.

Parents are encouraged to take art walks down the hallways to view weekly drawings created by the students.

10/15/2025

Eunice Head Start students had a special visit from the local fire department. The students were taught about fire prevention, emergency preparedness, and had the opportunity to explore the fire engine.

10/13/2025

Lebeau Head Start students are enjoying working together on their small group activities. During small group, Mrs. Bre and Ms. Tanner class worked on a social emotional activity. The children were able to draw and write down how they felt about coming to school today.

10/13/2025

The future is so bright for finding a cure for breast cancer! Port Barre EHS Room 3 students are wearing their shades to support breast cancer awareness.

09/11/2025

Grandparents Day and the 1st Parent meeting was a huge success at the Opelousas Head Start center. We appreciate the support received from all of our families.

09/11/2025

The children at Opelousas Head Start enjoyed exploring and playing with their new outdoor classroom items. Special recognition goes to the staff for planning this experience.

09/11/2025

Grandparents Day 2025 at Grand Coteau Head Start was a huge success.

09/09/2025

"Grandparents hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever." Happy Grandparents Day from the staff at Port Barre Head Start!

09/08/2025

"Grandparents hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever." Happy Grandparents Day from the staff at Washington Head Start!

09/04/2025

Hello Save the Children Head Start/EHS Families! Welcome to September! For some of us, we are entering into our second month of school! Our teachers and kiddos are getting to know one another, building relationships and developing new skills! One skill you can help us build on from the classroom in the home is how to understand our feelings. Once again our friends at Sesame Workshop have some wonderful resources for us to utilize.

Children need grown-ups’ support to understand feelings — their own and those of others. They’re beginning to recognize that how someone feels on the inside often shows on the outside. By starting early, we help children to:
• Express and label their feelings in a healthy way, using an ever-growing list of “feelings words.” Words have power!
• Build a stronger understanding of how their emotions are felt in their bodies.
• Notice others’ body and face and look for clues that show how the person is feeling.

Share this video with children and try playing your own version of the game with different feelings. Please connect with your teacher or center director in order to obtain the handout that accompanies this video.
You might remind children:
• I’m always here to help you name your feelings and talk about why you may be feeling them.
• Someone else may feel differently than you about the same thing, such as feeling excited or nervous about a school performance or birthday party with new friends.
• When we focus on feeling our bodies, we can then name those feelings, like sad, frustrated, curious, or happy.
Feelings Detective with Elmo and Friends - Sesame Workshop

From your Mental Health Advisor, Krystle Johnson