Hey there! Welcome to my kindergarten wonderland, where each day is a journey of learning and growing—both in our heads and our hearts! I'm super excited to show you around our classroom, where social-emotional learning (SEL) is more than just a part of the schedule—it's woven into everything we do. It's not perfect, but it sure helps set a positive vibe and gets us talking about important stuff like self-regulation and getting along with each other. Plus, it's a great way for our students to build friendships and feel like a team!
Morning Meetings:
We kick off our mornings with directing our energy and speaking our affirmations, setting the stage for a day filled with connection. We start by gathering in a circle, rubbing our hands together and placing them over our hearts, infusing ourselves with good energy. Then, we repeat the process, placing our hands on our heads, symbolizing filling our brains with positivity and readiness for the day ahead. Next comes the part where we embrace ourselves in a bear hug, affirming our strengths and capabilities with statements like "I'm brave, I'm smart, I can do hard things." Afterward, we invite one or two children to share their affirmations, spreading encouragement and positivity throughout the group. To wrap up our morning starter, we share a special ritual called a "brain kiss." Each of us kisses our palm and gently presses it against our foreheads, symbolizing a boost of love and confidence for our brains. Through these rituals, we not only set a positive tone for the day but also cultivate a supportive community where kindness and empathy flourish. It's a wonderful way to start our day together and it settles everyone for learning.
Storytime Shenanigans:
Storytime in our classroom goes beyond the usual fairy tales. We're all about diving into books that are packed with emotions, friendship tales, and celebrate diversity. Once we're done exploring these stories, we jump into discussions about the characters' experiences, sparking empathy and understanding among the little ones. And hey, if you're following us on Instagram or Facebook, you'll catch our daily posts featuring a variety of books and some handy tips and tricks to help you teach self-regulation skills in your own classroom.
Teamwork Triumphs:
One of the coolest things in our classroom is when we work together on projects. Whether the kiddos building stuff or playing games, they are all about teamwork, talking, and helping each other out. I love hearing my students shout "We're collaborating!" when they’re stacking blocks or making cool things with tape and straws. They've learned how to share, take turns, and listen to each other's ideas. And guess what? Playing together is the best way for them to learn!
Drama Queens and Kings:
Yeah, we're into drama, but not the kind you see on TV. We do role-playing to practice understanding how others feel and fixing problems. And get this—our puppet pals, Henry and Julia, are the stars of the show! They help us act out different situations where we have to be kind or figure out what to do when stuff gets tricky. Sometimes, they join in the fun, while other times, they sit back and “Observe” how our little people tackle challenges, solve problems, or show kindness.
Zen Time:
Welcome to our Zen Time, where our classroom becomes a cozy cocoon of calmness. Imagine a room bursting with little yogis, each exploring the world of mindful breathing and body awareness. During these special moments, we get creative with our breaths, dreaming up new techniques and sharing them with partners or the whole gang. One crowd-pleaser? The "Sponge Bob" breath! We scrunch up tight like a ball, then release, expanding like our favorite cartoon sponge. Breathing exercises and body scans help us calm our minds and refocus our attention amidst the giggles and wiggles of our day.
These little activities take less than five minutes to embed throughout your day and provide a huge payout in terms of helping your little ones navigate big emotions and provide an outlet for extra energy. By utilizing some of these strategies in our daily routine, we empower our children to navigate big emotions and find outlets for their energy.
We’d love to hear how you incorporate social-emotional development and self-regulation skills in your classroom. Leave a comment below and let's keep the conversation going!
Cheers to many more adventures ahead!
