Bee READY • Interactive Read Aloud
My Feelings and Body
Help Mira notice a body clue, describe it, choose support, and check again.
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Mira’s Picture
Mira Bee was making a picture for the hive art show.
She wanted every line to look just right.
The Marker Slipped
The marker slipped and made a dark line across Mira’s picture.
Mira stopped. Something in her body changed.
Mira Notices
Mira’s hands squeezed. Her chest felt fast. Her stomach felt twisty.
Which body clues did Mira notice?
Describe Before You Guess
Honey Bee did not tell Mira what she was feeling.
She asked, “Does the clue feel tight, fast, heavy, hot, or wiggly?”
Which words could describe a body clue?
“Where do you notice something in your body?”
What Could It Mean?
One body clue can have more than one meaning.
Mira could feel frustrated, worried, hungry, overwhelmed, or something else.
What might Mira’s body be telling her?
Choose One Support
Mira did not need to solve everything at once.
She could try one safe support and then check her body again.
What could Mira try?
“Let’s try one support and then check again.”
Mira Checks Again
Mira pushed her hands into the wall and asked Honey Bee for help.
Her hands felt looser. Her chest felt slower. The clue became smaller.
What can Mira do after trying a support?
The Quick Plan
Body clues are information. They are not bad behavior.
Start with curiosity. Try one support. Then check again.
“Where do you notice it? Does it feel tight, fast, heavy, or wiggly? Let’s try one support and check again.”
Notice the clue. Support the need. Then check again.
Bee READY • Level 1 Foundations
My Feelings and Body
Help your child notice a body clue, describe it without pressure, choose one support, and check again.
“Where do you notice it? You can point or say ‘I don’t know.’ Let’s try one support and check again.”
The Four Step Plan
Body clues are information, not bad behavior.
Body Clue Explorer
Start anywhere. There is no single correct feeling and no need to finish every step.
1. Tap a body area
A body clue is a starting point for curiosity, not a diagnosis.
Build the Body Message
My Body Message
My body says: Choose a body area and clue.
It might mean: Choose a possibility or “I don’t know yet.”
I could try: Choose one safe support.
What Helps Most
Stay curious. Do not require the child to identify one exact emotion.
Try saying
“Where do you notice something?”
“Does it feel tight, fast, heavy, or wiggly?”
“You can point or say ‘I don’t know.’”
“Let’s try one support and check again.”
Avoid guessing for them
Instead of “You are anxious,” start with the body clue.
Instead of “Calm down,” offer one concrete support.
Instead of “Use your words,” accept pictures, AAC, gestures, or silence.
Instead of requiring deep breathing, offer choices.
What is interoception?
Interoception is awareness of signals from inside the body, including hunger, thirst, heartbeat, breathing, temperature, pain, tiredness, and the need to use the bathroom.
Children vary widely in how clearly they notice, describe, and interpret these signals.
What if my child says “I don’t know”?
Accept it. “I don’t know” is information. Offer two concrete choices, allow pointing or AAC, reduce pressure, or return later.
Guessing under pressure does not build accurate body awareness.
Does every body clue mean an emotion?
No. A racing heart might come from movement, excitement, worry, medication, illness, pain, heat, dehydration, or another physical cause.
Check basic body needs, the environment, and medical concerns too.
Which support is best?
There is no universal regulation strategy. Breathing helps some children and frustrates others. Match support to the child, the situation, and what changes the body clue.
Notice the clue. Support the need. Then check again.
Regulate → See → Try → Do → Reflect
