Social Emotional Literacy for PreK-K

M-1

Session Description

Social Emotional Development is a child’s ability to understand the feelings of others, control their own feelings and behaviors, and get along with peers. In order for children to gain these abilities, they need adults to provide instruction, support, and a trusting environment. This session will take a look at the importance of social emotional development and provide practical, hands-on strategies to bring back to your classroom. 

Learner Outcomes
By the end of the sessions participants will know / be able to: 
  1. Learn how identifying feelings provide a foundation for developing empathy
  2. Develop strategies to assist children with understanding the feelings of others and controlling their own feelings

Warm-Up: What pushes my buttons?  (10 minutes)

  • Background on examining our attitudes about challenging behaviors.
  • Other games here to help students with their social and emotional skills. 

Activity 1: Building Student Relationships During Morning Meeting (10 minutes)

  • Model a Morning Meeting for participants 
  • Show various activities that teachers can implement in their classrooms

Activity 2: Breathing Techniques (10 minutes)

  • The first step in any discipline encounter is to take a deep, calming breath. Three deep breaths shut off the fight or flight response in the body.
  • The four core active calming techniques used in Conscious Discipline are S.T.A.R., balloon, pretzel and drain. Printable here. 
  • Have participants try each technique 
  • Talk about the cube for students and application- link to your own classroom cube here. 

Activity 3: Coping Skills (15 minutes) 

Additional Resources