Sesame Street Activity of the Week: Make a Glitter Jar

By Rosemarie Truglio, PhD. Senior Vice President, Curriculum & Content, Sesame Workshop

Skills Focus: Managing Emotions

Download the ‘Making a Glitter Jar’ instructions here.

What exactly is a glitter jar? Just what it sounds like: a simple, sealed jar filled with water and brightly colored glitter. When you shake it, the glitter whirling around the inside of the jar represents how your child is feeling inside. Have her watch the glitter swirl and take deep belly breaths while the glitter slowly drifts to the bottom. When it finally settles, the two of you will be able to see through the clear water, symbolizing that your child has achieved a calmer state and giving you the opportunity to talk about the big feeling she was experiencing. When you do talk, embrace “feelings words” like angry, scared, frustrated, disappointed, and worried. Having a word to label the way they are feeling is an important first step for children in managing a big emotion.

Glitter jars are easy to make and can be great fun for the whole family. Start with a plastic bottle or jar with a lid for each family member, and the possibilities to personalize them are endless!

This activity is from Ready for School! A Parent’s Guide to Playful Learning for Children Ages 2 to 5.

These are stressful days for families everywhere, and Sesame Workshop is here to help. With 50 years’ experience in early childhood education and in helping children and their caregivers face challenging times, we’ve created an online hub of resources that parents can use at home to spark playful learning, offer children comfort, and focus a bit on self-care, too. Each week, as we roll out new content, a Sesame Workshop early childhood development expert will contribute a column here with strategies to help families find ways to breathe, laugh, and play together.