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Growing My Garden: Keiki Self-Care Toolkits
The Growing My Garden: Keiki Self-Care Toolkits were created to support parents and caregivers in cultivating “seeds” of mental and emotional well-being in their children, their families, and themselves. There are four themed kits: Soil, Air, Water, and Sunshine. Each toolkit contains books, an activity guide, and take-home activities to support a healthy garden of the mind.
Visit Wailuku Public Library on Maui to borrow a toolkit! A free toolbox will be given away upon checkout of a toolkit (while supplies last). Decorate and then fill the toolbox with your take home activity cards, crafts, and keepsakes as reminders of how to self-soothe, practice mindfulness, and cultivate self-awareness and self-love. When you return the kit, please complete the Growing My Garden: Keiki Self-Care Toolkit Survey. Your feedback will help us evaluate the effectiveness and demand for these types of special projects.
Recommended for ages 4 and up. Made possible by grants from Maui Friends of the Library and the Network of the National Library of Medicine. Created in collaboration with Mental Health of America Hawaii, which provides free mental health tests online at: Take a Mental Health Test – Mental Health America.
View all materials included in each kit here:
Take Home Packet Materials:
Growing My Garden Keiki Self-Care Coloring Sheet
Emotional -Toolbox MHAH Handout
Keiki Self-Care Diaphragmatic Breathing MHAH Handout
Toolkit Contents by Theme:
Soil provides a nourishing foundation for seeds to grow, and keeps them grounded through their roots. Like soil provides the foundation for seeds to grow, recognizing our own emotions builds the foundation for us to grow and manage them. Grounding techniques, mindfulness, and meditation can help us connect with our emotions, and balance our emotional response. Read these books and try out the activities as a family to cultivate self-awareness and healthy mindfulness practices.
Air provides clean, clear space for seeds to grow. Sometimes we may be overwhelmed with too many thoughts and feelings. Breathing techniques can help us calm and focus our minds, creating space for healthier thoughts and feelings to thrive. Read these books and practice different breathing techniques to cultivate calm and self-regulation.
Water nourishes and refreshes seeds/seedlings to help them grow. We need activities that nourish and refresh our minds and bodies. Fulfilling activities are different for everyone, and include rest, exercise, play, reading, crafting, or any activity that replenishes your spirit. Read these books and try the activity cards to cultivate self-care practices.
Water Toolkit Discussion Cards
Sunshine provides warmth and energy to help seeds grow. It is important to practice positive self-affirmations to encourage positive thinking habits to grow. Read these books and try these activities as a family to cultivate kindness and gratitude toward yourself and others.
Sunshine Toolkit Discussion Cards
Sunshine Toolkit Activity Cards
