How to Be Self-Honest by Expressing Personal Interests

Self-honesty is rooted in self-awareness, a core competency of social-emotional learning. Developing self-awareness as early as kindergarten enables children to identify their genuine thoughts, feelings, and motives. This then informs them of their true desires, encourages them to be honest with themselves, and motivates them to take meaningful steps toward realizing their dreams.

Being honest about oneself through self-awareness involves recognizing personal interests. These interests encompass activities, subjects, and pursuits that bring joy and fulfillment. For instance, kindergarten students may delight in coloring drawings, learning to draw, and engaging in artistic activities.

This evidence-based SEL lesson for kindergarten introduces an exciting show-and-tell activity to reinforce the idea of knowing interests as a practice of telling oneself the truth. Its objective is to inspire students to be honest with themselves and present objects that represent the things that genuinely bring them joy and satisfaction. For example, a kindergarten student can show their favorite book and discuss their interest in reading, writing, or the book subject.

During the activity, the kindergarten class is captivated as each student takes turns engaging in self-expression. Students from the audience encourage their curiosity and eagerly ask questions about the items. This prompts their presenting classmates to share the reasons for their enjoyment and the cherished stories or memories attached to each item. Through this heartwarming exchange, students feel their self-honesty and personal interests are celebrated and encouraged.

There are many benefits to developing self-awareness and practicing self-honesty for kindergartners. Notably, these skills enhance decision-making, aligning choices with genuine interests and fostering truthful assessment. Moreover, these help them discover their strengths and embrace their limitations, which they can use for self-improvement. Ultimately, seeing themselves as they are improves their attitude toward learning, boosting their self-concept and academic performance.

By the end of this effective SEL lesson, kindergarten students will learn to express their truth positively, openly, and honestly. As children who are unafraid to be true to themselves, they possess one of the most critical skills to succeed in their educational journey and in the challenges that await them in adulthood.