For parents & teachers · kids 4–8

Sunny Skill Index — real words for real moments

Age:

54
Skills: 8
Sectors: 216
What-to-say scripts: 108
Activities

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Brighter tiles had more real visits in the last 7 days.

11 skillsBig Feelings4 views · 7 days

8 skillsFriendship1 views · 7 days

6 skillsKindnessJust listed

10 skillsShine7 views · 7 days

8 skillsWorries & Brave1 views · 7 days

6 skillsTeamworkJust listed

3 skillsWonderJust listed

2 skillsMoney2 views · 7 days

⭐ Skill of the Week

Big Feelings

Teaching Feelings Words to Preschoolers

Preschoolers learn feelings words the way they learn any words: by hearing them often in real moments.

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🍂 In Season

When Kids Are Scared of Thunderstorms
When Your Child Is Afraid of the Dark

All skills (54)

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Big Feelings
After-School Meltdowns in Kindergarten
Many kindergarteners hold it together all day and fall apart once they see a safe grown-up.
Ages 4–7
Big Feelings
Balloon Breathing for Kids
Balloon breathing is a slow belly breath where kids imagine filling a balloon in their tummy, then letting the air out slowly.
Ages 4–8
Worries & Brave
Bedtime Worries in a 6-Year-Old
Bedtime is when worries show up because the day gets quiet.
Ages 4–8New
Big Feelings
Big Problem, Little Problem for Kids
"Big problem, little problem" helps children match their reaction to the situation.
Ages 4–7New
Shine
Building Confidence in a Shy 5-Year-Old
Shy children build confidence through small, safe steps — not pressure.
Ages 4–7New
Big Feelings
Calm-Down Strategies for 4-Year-Olds
Four-year-olds can't calm down on command yet; they learn by calming down with you.
Ages 3–5New
Teamwork
Conflict Resolution for Kindergarten
Kindergarteners can learn a four-step conflict plan: stop and calm down, say how you feel, listen to the other person, and pick a solution together (take turns, share, trade, or get help).
Ages 4–7New
Teamwork
Cooperation Games for Preschoolers
Cooperation games let everyone win together instead of competing — perfect for preschoolers.
Ages 3–5New
Wonder
Encouraging Curiosity in Preschoolers
Curiosity grows when children have time to explore, adults who wonder out loud, and questions that don't have one right answer.
Ages 3–6New
Big Feelings
Feelings Check-In for Kindergarten
A feelings check-in is a quick daily moment when children name how they feel, often by pointing to a face, color or picture.
Ages 4–7New
Worries & Brave
First Day of Kindergarten Worries
First-day worries are normal.
Ages 4–6New
Shine
Growth Mindset Activities for Kindergarten
Growth mindset activities teach young children that their brains grow with practice.
Ages 4–7New
Shine
Helping a Shy Child Speak Up in Class
Shy children speak up in class when it feels safe and predictable.
Ages 4–7New
Friendship
How to Help a 5-Year-Old Make Friends
Five-year-olds make friends through shared play, so give them chances to play with the same few kids again and again.
Ages 4–6New
Worries & Brave
How to Make a Worry Box for Kids
A worry box is a small container where children draw or write their worries and 'post' them.
Ages 4–7New
Big Feelings
How to Set Up a Calm-Down Corner at Home
A calm-down corner is a cozy spot where a child goes to settle big feelings — not a punishment.
Ages 3–7New
Big Feelings
How to Stop a Child From Whining
Whining usually means a child is tired, hungry, bored or wants connection — and has learned it sometimes works.
Ages 3–7New
Kindness
How to Teach Empathy to a 5-Year-Old
Five-year-olds build empathy by noticing feelings in others and practicing caring actions.
Ages 4–7New
Teamwork
I-Statements for Kids
I-statements help kids share feelings without blaming: "I feel ___ when ___.
Ages 4–7New
Kindness
Kind Words vs. Mean Words for Kids
Teach kind versus mean words by showing how words make people feel.
Ages 4–7New
Worries & Brave
Kindergarten Drop-Off Crying
Drop-off tears are common in the first weeks of kindergarten and after breaks.
Ages 4–6New
Kindness
Kindness Activities for Kindergarten
The best kindness activities for kindergarten are short, hands-on and visible — like a kindness paper chain that grows with every kind act, a secret helper game, or a class compliment jar.
Ages 4–7New
Money
Needs vs. Wants for 5-Year-Olds
Explain needs as things we must have to live and be healthy (food, water, a home, clothes) and wants as things that are nice to have (toys, candy, games).
Ages 4–7
Shine
Perfectionism in 6-Year-Olds
Young perfectionists may erase until the paper rips, refuse to try new things, or melt down over small mistakes.
Ages 4–7New
Shine
Positive Affirmations for Kids
Positive affirmations are short, true "I am" or "I can" sentences kids say to themselves, like "I can do hard things" or "I am a good friend." They work best when they're simple, believable and said every day — at breakfast, in the car or at bedtime — together with a grown-up.
Ages 4–7New
Kindness
Random Acts of Kindness for Kids at Home
Random acts of kindness for kids are small, unexpected helpful acts: leaving a thank-you note for a mail carrier, drawing a picture for a grandparent, helping set the table, or donating a toy.
Ages 4–7New
Teamwork
Tattling vs. Reporting for Kids
Tattling is telling to get someone in trouble about a small problem; reporting is telling to keep someone safe.
Ages 4–7New
Friendship
Teaching a 4-Year-Old to Take Turns
Teach turn-taking with short, visible turns: use a sand timer, say "my turn, your turn" out loud, and practice in games with clear turns like rolling a ball or simple board games.
Ages 3–5New
Money
Teaching a 5-Year-Old to Save Money
Teach saving with a clear jar so your child can watch coins grow, a small goal with a picture (like a $1 kite), and a short timeline.
Ages 4–7
Big Feelings
Teaching Feelings Words to Preschoolers
Preschoolers learn feelings words the way they learn any words: by hearing them often in real moments.
Ages 3–5New
Friendship
Teaching Kids How to Join In Play
Joining play is a skill: watch what the group is doing, get close, then join with a related idea or a simple question like "Can I play?" or "Can I be the dog?" Practice these steps at home, and teach your child what to do if the answer is no.
Ages 4–7New
Kindness
Teaching Kids to Comfort a Friend
Kids can learn to comfort others with three simple steps: notice ("She's crying"), ask ("Are you okay?"), and help (get a grown-up, offer a hug if wanted, or sit nearby).
Ages 4–7New
Kindness
Teaching Kids to Include Others
Teach inclusion in two steps: notice and invite.
Ages 4–7New
Shine
Teaching Kids to Lose Gracefully
Losing gracefully is learned through practice.
Ages 4–7New
Friendship
Teaching Kids to Say Sorry and Mean It
A real apology has three parts kids can learn: say what you did, say sorry, and offer to fix it ("I knocked your tower.
Ages 4–7New
Teamwork
Teaching Siblings to Work It Out
Instead of acting as referee, coach siblings to solve problems themselves: describe the problem neutrally ("Two kids, one tablet"), ask each child what they need, and let them brainstorm solutions.
Ages 4–7New
Teamwork
Teamwork Activities for Kindergarten
Kindergarten teamwork activities work best when everyone has a job and the goal is clear — like building a cup tower together, a partner drawing, or moving a ball across a parachute.
Ages 4–7New
Shine
The Power of Yet for Kids
The power of yet means adding "yet" to "I can't" — "I can't read this word yet." It reminds children that skills grow with practice.
Ages 4–7
Big Feelings
What to Say Instead of "Calm Down"
"Calm down" tells a child what to do but not how, so it often makes things worse.
Ages 4–8New
Shine
What to Say When Your Child Makes a Mistake
When your child makes a mistake, stay calm, name what happened without shame, and help them fix it: "Oops, the milk spilled.
Ages 4–7New
Friendship
When a Best Friend Won't Play With Your Child
Young children's friendships shift often, and losing a best friend can hurt a lot.
Ages 4–7New
Worries & Brave
When Kids Are Scared of Thunderstorms
Many young children fear thunder because it's loud and sudden.
Ages 3–7New
Big Feelings
When Your 4-Year-Old Hits When Angry
Hitting is common at four because anger arrives faster than words.
Ages 3–5New
Big Feelings
When Your 5-Year-Old Cries Over Everything
Frequent crying at five is common, especially with tiredness, hunger, transitions or a sensitive temperament.
Ages 4–6New
Friendship
When Your 5-Year-Old Is Bossy With Friends
Bossiness at five often comes from big ideas, wanting control, or not yet knowing how to compromise.
Ages 4–6New
Wonder
When Your Child Asks "Why?" All the Time
Constant "why" questions are a sign of a growing, curious brain, peaking around ages 3 to 5.
Ages 3–6New
Shine
When Your Child Gives Up Easily
Children who give up quickly often feel overwhelmed or afraid of failing.
Ages 4–7New
Worries & Brave
When Your Child Is Afraid of the Dark
Fear of the dark is very common between ages 3 and 6, when imagination grows faster than understanding.
Ages 3–7New
Worries & Brave
When Your Child Is Afraid to Try New Things
Cautious children try new things when the steps feel small and safe.
Ages 4–7
Worries & Brave
When Your Child Is Suddenly Clingy
Sudden clinginess usually means a child needs more closeness and reassurance, often after a change like a new sibling, new school, a move, illness or a busy stretch.
Ages 3–7New
Shine
When Your Child Says "I'm Stupid"
When a child says "I'm stupid," they usually mean "this is hard and I feel frustrated." Instead of arguing, name the feeling and separate the task from the child: "This is tricky.
Ages 4–7
Friendship
When Your Child Says "Nobody Likes Me"
When a child says "nobody likes me," start by listening, not reassuring.
Ages 4–7New
Friendship
When Your Kindergartener Plays Alone at Recess
Playing alone at recess isn't always a problem.
Ages 4–7
Wonder
Wonder Questions for Kids
Wonder questions are open-ended questions that invite kids to think, imagine and explore — like "Why do you think leaves change color?" or "What would happen if animals could talk?" Use them at dinner, in the car or at morning meeting, and let every answer be welcome.
Ages 4–7New

Sector heat map

⭐ Skill of the Week

Teaching Feelings Words to Preschoolers

🍂 In Season

All skills (54)

After-School Meltdowns in Kindergarten

Balloon Breathing for Kids

Bedtime Worries in a 6-Year-Old

Big Problem, Little Problem for Kids

Building Confidence in a Shy 5-Year-Old

Calm-Down Strategies for 4-Year-Olds

Conflict Resolution for Kindergarten

Cooperation Games for Preschoolers

Encouraging Curiosity in Preschoolers

Feelings Check-In for Kindergarten

First Day of Kindergarten Worries

Growth Mindset Activities for Kindergarten

Helping a Shy Child Speak Up in Class

How to Help a 5-Year-Old Make Friends

How to Make a Worry Box for Kids

How to Set Up a Calm-Down Corner at Home

How to Stop a Child From Whining

How to Teach Empathy to a 5-Year-Old

I-Statements for Kids

Kind Words vs. Mean Words for Kids

Kindergarten Drop-Off Crying

Kindness Activities for Kindergarten

Needs vs. Wants for 5-Year-Olds

Perfectionism in 6-Year-Olds

Positive Affirmations for Kids

Random Acts of Kindness for Kids at Home

Tattling vs. Reporting for Kids

Teaching a 4-Year-Old to Take Turns

Teaching a 5-Year-Old to Save Money

Teaching Feelings Words to Preschoolers

Teaching Kids How to Join In Play

Teaching Kids to Comfort a Friend

Teaching Kids to Include Others

Teaching Kids to Lose Gracefully

Teaching Kids to Say Sorry and Mean It

Teaching Siblings to Work It Out

Teamwork Activities for Kindergarten

The Power of Yet for Kids

What to Say Instead of "Calm Down"

What to Say When Your Child Makes a Mistake

When a Best Friend Won't Play With Your Child

When Kids Are Scared of Thunderstorms

When Your 4-Year-Old Hits When Angry

When Your 5-Year-Old Cries Over Everything

When Your 5-Year-Old Is Bossy With Friends

When Your Child Asks "Why?" All the Time

When Your Child Gives Up Easily

When Your Child Is Afraid of the Dark

When Your Child Is Afraid to Try New Things

When Your Child Is Suddenly Clingy

When Your Child Says "I'm Stupid"

When Your Child Says "Nobody Likes Me"

When Your Kindergartener Plays Alone at Recess

Wonder Questions for Kids