SEL Lesson Plans For Kindergarteners

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Social-EMOTIONAL LEarning Lesson Plans for Kindergartners

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Welcome to my first social-emotional learning blog post, where I  proudly present five comprehensive 60-minute social-emotional learning lesson plans designed specifically for kindergartners. Created by Lauren McDonagh-Pereira, a licensed school counselor in Massachusetts, these thoughtfully crafted lessons aim to foster emotional intelligence and develop essential interpersonal skills in young learners.

As a dedicated professional in the field of education, Lauren understands the importance of nurturing social-emotional skills during a child’s early years. These foundational skills lay the groundwork for future success, promoting self-awareness, empathy, and positive relationships. With my expertise and passion for supporting children’s holistic development, I have created a series of engaging and impactful lesson plans that are now available for purchase on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Each 60-minute lesson plan offers a comprehensive and structured framework for teaching social-emotional skills to kindergartners. From cultivating self-awareness to promoting responsible decision-making, these lessons cover a wide range of crucial competencies. With clear objectives, engaging activities, and practical strategies, the lessons provide a valuable resource for educators, parents, and caregivers who are committed to fostering emotional growth in young children.

What sets these lesson plans apart is the integration of recommended children’s books. I understand the power of storytelling in capturing children’s attention, igniting their imagination, and conveying important life lessons. For each lesson, I have handpicked a children’s book that complements and reinforces the targeted social-emotional concepts. This thoughtful inclusion not only enhances the learning experience but also provides an opportunity for children to engage with relatable characters and explore emotions in a meaningful way.

By incorporating these lesson plans into your teaching or parenting toolkit, you can make a lasting impact on the social-emotional well-being of kindergartners.  

Join us as we dive into these invaluable social-emotional learning lessons, brought to you by Lauren McDonagh-Pereira, a licensed school counselor in Massachusetts. Let’s empower our kindergartners with the skills they need to navigate emotions, build meaningful relationships, and thrive in their personal and academic lives.

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Disclaimer

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ⓒ Lauren McDonagh-Pereira Photography 2013

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SEL Lesson Plan: Being Open and Accepting to different Cultures (K-2)

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60-Minute SEL Lesson for Kindergartners Available on TeachersPayTeachers

This lesson plan, titled “Being Open and Accepting to Different Cultures,” is designed for Kindergarten students and aims to develop their understanding of cultural diversity and the importance of respect and appreciation for different cultures.

You can download this free 60-minute lesson plan on TeachersPayTeachers here

This social emotional learning lesson plan has a clear objective, an engaging introduction, a suggestion for a meaningful read-aloud, thoughtful discussion questions, a hands-on activity, an effective wrap-up, and ideas for assessment and extension activities.

Recommended story book: “Same, Same but Different” by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw

A Pinterest Pin recommending "Same, Same but Different" by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw to teach Kindergartners about being open and accepting to other cultures.
"Same, Same but Different" by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw

SEL Lesson Plan: Dealing With Big Feelings (K-2)

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60-Minute SEL Lesson for Kindergartners Available on TeachersPayTeachers

This lesson plan, titled “Dealing with Big Feelings,” is designed for Kindergarten students and aims to help them identify and express big feelings such as sadness and anger, understand that it’s okay to have these feelings, and learn healthy ways to manage them.

You can purchase this lesson plan from TeachersPayTeachers here

This social emotional learning lesson plan has a clear objective, an engaging introduction, a suggestion for a meaningful read-aloud, thoughtful discussion questions, a hands-on activity, an effective wrap-up, and ideas for assessment and extension activities.

A Pinterest Pin recommending "When Sophie Gets Angry, Really Really Angry" by Molly Bang to teach kindergartners about dealing with big feelings.
"When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry" by Molly Bang

SEL Lesson Plan: Coping with Academic Struggles (K-2)

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60-Minute SEL Lesson for Kindergartners Available on TeachersPayTeachers

This lesson plan, titled “Coping with Academic Struggles,” is designed for Kindergarten students and aims to help them understand that everyone learns at their own pace and it’s okay to make mistakes. The lesson also focuses on teaching students strategies to deal with academic struggles and enhance their problem-solving skills.

You can purchase this lesson plan from TeachersPayTeachers here. 

This social emotional learning lesson plan has a clear objective, an engaging introduction, a suggestion for a meaningful read-aloud, thoughtful discussion questions, a hands-on activity, an effective wrap-up, and ideas for assessment and extension activities.

A Pinterest pin recommending "The Most Magnificent Thing" by Ashley Spires
"The Most Magnificent Thing" by Ashley Spires

SEL Lesson Plan: Dealing with Big Changes (K-2)

A Pinterest pic for a 60-minute K-2 SEL Lesson titled "Dealing with Big Changes"
60-Minute SEL Lesson for Kindergartners Available on TeachersPayTeachers

This lesson plan, titled “Dealing with Big Changes,” is designed for Kindergarten students and aims to help them identify big changes that might happen in life, discuss the associated feelings, learn coping strategies, and recognize the positive aspects of change.

You can purchase this lesson plan from TeachersPayTeachers here. 

This social emotional learning lesson plan has a clear objective, an engaging introduction, a suggestion for a meaningful read-aloud, thoughtful discussion questions, a hands-on activity, an effective wrap-up, and ideas for assessment and extension activities.

A Pinterest Pin recommending "The Invisible String" by Patrice Karst
"The Invisible String" by Patrice Karst

SEL Lesson Plan: Solving CONFLICTS BETWEEN FRIENDS (K-2)

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60-Minute SEL Lesson for Kindergartners Available on TeachersPayTeachers

This lesson plan, titled “Solving Conflicts Between Friends,” is designed for Kindergarten students and aims to help them understand that conflicts or disagreements can occur between friends and provide them with strategies to solve these conflicts in a respectful and peaceful manner.

You can purchase this lesson plan from TeachersPayTeachers here. 

This social emotional learning lesson plan has a clear objective, an engaging introduction, a suggestion for a meaningful read-aloud, thoughtful discussion questions, a hands-on activity, an effective wrap-up, and ideas for assessment and extension activities.

A Pinerest pin recommending "Talk and Work It Out" by Cheri J. Meiners
"Talk and Work It Out" by Cheri J. Meiners

SEL Lesson Plan: Solving Conflicts Between Friends (K-2)

A Pinterest Pin for a K-2 SEL lesson titled "Being a Kind Friend"
60-Minute SEL Lesson for Kindergartners Available on TeachersPayTeachers

This lesson plan, titled “Being a Kind Friend,” is designed for Kindergarten students and aims to help them understand what it means to be a kind friend and demonstrate kind behavior in class. The lesson promotes empathy, cooperation, and respect.

You can purchase this lesson plan from TeachersPayTeachers here. 

This social emotional learning lesson plan has a clear objective, an engaging introduction, a suggestion for a meaningful read-aloud, thoughtful discussion questions, a hands-on activity, an effective wrap-up, and ideas for assessment and extension activities.

A Pinterest pin recommending "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" by Carol McCloud
"Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" by Carol McCloud

Conclusion

Thank you for reviewing my Kindergarten social emotional learning lesson plans and book recommendations. 

Check out My Shop on TeachersPayTeachers for more social emotional learning classroom resources. 

Follow me on Pinterest to stay up to date with my latest school counseling recommendations. 

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MEET Lauren McDonagh-Pereira

Lauren McDonagh-Pereira is a photographer from Massachusetts, USA. She captures the beauty of the world around her, favoring Nikon cameras and lenses. She is drawn to shooting landscapes, wildlife, nature, and people authentically enjoying life.