How to Be Physically & Intellectually Healthy: Teach SEL to Kindergarten

Kindergartners have arrived in the Land of Physical, where their next social-emotional learning adventure with Positive Action happens! In this lesson, students are introduced to Unit 2, where they learn about the positive actions they can take to keep their bodies and minds healthy and sharp. Their puppet friends, Picks-It Raccoon, and Nix-It Panda, introduce them to the lessons they are about to embark on.

Picks-It and Nix-It open the lesson with a challenge. In the form of puppet play, Picks-It challenges Nix-It to follow a trail up to a hill as high as a thousand feet, where another pond awaits the panda. Nix-It almost gives up but pushes through until he reaches the pond. Upon looking, Nix-It sees the same thing in Unit 1, but he notices a change: he becomes stronger and healthier. He earns a key that Picks-It holds for him until the end of the unit.

This play intends to communicate to young students how the physical challenge of climbing the hill strengthens Nix-It’s health and self-concept. This is further explained and elaborated on in the following class discussion. Kindergartners then understand that taking care of their bodies and minds benefits how they think about themselves.

To have a positive self-concept, kindergarten students need to improve in these areas: physical, intellectual, social, and emotional. The goal of this unit is to teach kindergarten students the physical and intellectual positive actions that can improve their sense of self-worth and overall behavior toward their physical and intellectual selves.

At the end of the lesson, a mural poster titled "Goodbody Shoehouse" is displayed to introduce students to the Goodbody family. The family will join the students in the first part of the unit to teach students about physical health. Kindergartners are excited to meet each family member and learn how to care for their bodies.

Positive Action is an evidence-based SEL program that aligns with National Health Education Standards. It has been proven effective and reliable in helping students live healthy and balanced lives by teaching them responsibility, decision-making skills, and self-improvement. By the end of the unit, kindergartners will be fully equipped with health-enhancing skills and behaviors to benefit them in all aspects of their lives.