Success is often portrayed as an individual triumph. Often, there is a failure to reveal that behind every accomplishment are the people who offer help, no matter how simple or grand.
As early as possible, children need to realize that their journey is not a solitary one. There are always people around them who significantly contribute to their growth and self-improvement. Whether they offer experiences, wisdom, or a lending hand, others help shape the person they become.
That means they, too, have a valuable contribution to how others understand and shape themselves. This early understanding helps children recognize the importance of interpersonal relationships and positive social interactions to their academic and personal successes. More importantly, it helps them improve their social skills, such as respect, teamwork, and cooperation.
In this evidence-based SEL lesson for kindergarten, students review the positive actions for getting along with others. The review prepares them for an upcoming class activity, which tests their understanding of the lesson concepts in *Positive Action *Unit 4. It also reinforces that positive relationships create a supportive, conducive learning environment where kindness thrives.
"As the lesson ends, a valuable insight emerges: teaching children to treat others positively nurtures essential life skills such as relationship-building, self-management, and emotional intelligence."
A puppet play featuring Picks-It Raccoon and Nix-It Panda opens the lesson. They remind the students of the adventures and stories they have encountered together in the Getting Along With Others Island in the Land of Emotional. During this class discussion, the students remember how their favorite jungle and forest animal characters first met.
At first, the jungle and forest animals can only see their differences. However, upon getting to know each other and exercising empathy, they soon become good friends and learn to have fun together.
After revisiting the stories about their animal friends, kindergarten students remember something even more important: the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is a set of classroom rules for how they are expected to treat others and their classmates. After learning from the stories of friendship, they create this list of positive actions to remind themselves how to treat others the way they want to be treated.
The students and the puppets review the rules in the code and promise to live by these positive actions. They remind themselves that healthy social interactions improve well-being and enhance self-concept. Afterward, the students take part in a drawing activity that reinforces the importance of getting along with others.
As the lesson ends, a valuable insight emerges: teaching children to treat others positively nurtures essential life skills such as relationship-building, self-management, and emotional intelligence. When children learn to interact with others with compassion and empathy, they learn to understand how others feel and respond appropriately to the situation. With this level of social awareness and self-management, they can achieve success and share its sweet taste with others.
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