Welcome to Sun Leaf Counseling! 🌞🌿
As the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter, the end of Fall invites us to slow down, reflect, and find warmth in connection. At Sun Leaf Counseling, we see this season not just as a time of rest, but as an opportunity to nurture presence—within ourselves, our families, and our communities.
In this edition, you’ll find cozy connection activities for families, gentle reminders to support regulation during the holiday season, and advocacy ideas that spark kindness and inclusion. Each piece is crafted to help your family create moments of calm, meaning, and togetherness through the close of the year.
From my heart to yours, thank you for being part of this growing community.
—Delaney Allison
Community Events
November
Dia de los Muertos Celebration at the Traphene Hickman Library
Saturday, November 1 @ 12:00 p.m.
Coco Family Movie Night at the Traphene Hickman Library
Saturday, November 1 @ 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 5 @ 1:00 p.m.
Restorative Yoga Flow at the Traphene Hickman Library
Thursday, November 6 @ 6:30 p.m.
Tween Tuesdays Game Night at the Traphene Hickman Library
Tuesday, November 11 @ 5:30 p.m.
Family Pajama Storytime at the Traphene Hickman Library
Thursday, November 13 @ 6:30p.m.
Boot Scoot Night at Paws for Reflection Ranch
Friday, November 14 @ 7:30 p.m.
ABCD's of Medicare Class at the Traphene Hickman Library
Thursday, November 20 @ 6:00 p.m.
December
Family Pajama Storytime at the Traphene Hickman Library
Thursday, December 4 @ 6:30 p.m.
Rudolph's Hot Rod Holiday Market at Paws for Reflection Ranch
Saturday, December 6 @ 2:00 p.m.
DIY Ornaments at the Traphene Hickman Library
Monday, December 8 @ 5:30 p.m.
Family Pajama Storytime at the Traphene Hickman Library
Thursday, December 11 @ 5:30 p.m.
Santa at the Ranch at Paws for Reflection Ranch
Saturday, December 13 @ 2:00 p.m.
Teen Crochet Circle at the Traphene Hickman Library
Wednesday, December 17 @ 4:30 p.m.
Toddler Storytime at the Traphene Hickman Library
Friday, December 19 @ 10:30 a.m.
Grounding Exercises for Children and Families
Animal Stomps
Invite your child to join you in this grounding exercise. Have your child pick an animal and move like it. For example, "Can you stomp like an elephant? Tiptoe like a cat?". This activity helps discharge energy and support your child to reconnect with their body.
Butterfly Hug
The Butterfly Hug is a simple, soothing way for you and your child to feel calm and connected. It helps the body and mind slow down when emotions feel big or overwhelming. Your child can imagine calm colors, think of a safe place, or say kind words like “I’m safe” or “We’re okay.” This gentle motion helps the brain and body work together to restore balance and can be a comforting reset anytime emotions feel strong.
Caregiver Connection Activities
Community Kindness: Advocacy For All Ages
Special Dates: November 13 is World Kindness Day and December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. These two days remind us that kindness isn’t just about being nice — it’s about speaking up, taking action, and helping create communities where everyone belongs. Advocacy begins when we use our voices and choices to make space for others to be seen, heard, and included.
Family Activity: Gather together as a family and talk about what inclusion means — at school, at work, in sports, or in your community. Discuss moments when someone may have been left out or faced barriers and how kindness could help make things more fair or welcoming. Then, create your own Family Inclusion Pledge with three simple commitments.
Example Family Inclusion Pledge:
We will speak up when someone is treated unfairly.
We will learn and use kind, respectful language for all abilities.
We will look for ways to include everyone in play, school, and community activities.
Write your pledge on a colorful poster or sticky notes to display at home. You can even share it with your child's teacher, coach, counselor, or community group to inspire others to make their own pledge.
Read Aloud: Try reading a book like, “A Friend Like You" or "A Voice Like Yours" both by Frank Murphy, which offers real examples of young people around the world who speak up for kindness, fairness, and change. "A Voice Like Yours" reminds readers that advocacy can start with one simple act: using your voice with courage and compassion. After reading, ask: "What's one way we can help others feel brave to be themselves?".
A Friend Like You Read Aloud: YouTube
Fuel the Community Mission
We’re in the Final Stretch - Help Us Reach the Finish Line!
💛 Help us bring calm, connection, and care to every student in Cedar Hill. Donate today and be part of something meaningful!
