How to Manage Feelings and Have a Positive Self-Concept: SEL

Children in kindergarten can find emotions too overwhelming to understand, communicate, and manage. Without the proper tools, their feelings can accumulate and become uncontrollable. For example, unchecked happiness can lead to recklessness and irresponsibility. Conversely, excessive anger can lead to harmful and violent behaviors. To ensure children have the necessary skills to confront and express their feelings, it is crucial to introduce them to effective self-management strategies.

In this engaging and evidence-based SEL lesson, kindergarten students follow the captivating story of Tom Turkey and how he gets a colorful tail. This story teaches students that allowing their emotions to overpower them can lead to negativity and difficulties. However, mastering their thoughts, actions, and feelings through self-management can cultivate happiness and foster a positive self-concept.

The story introduces Tom Turkey as a young bird who lets his feelings get so powerful and uncontrollable. When his emotions get out of hand, he turns into different colors, and the color of his tail changes, too. First, he turns red from anger, then blue from sadness. When he gets worried, he turns purple, and when he is jealous, he turns green. Finally, he turns yellow from fear.

Tom begins to feel overwhelmed by his strong emotions, making him feel so lonely that he turns gray. At that moment, he decides to make a real change and be the master of his own emotions. As a start, Tom consciously shifts his thoughts toward positivity, filling his mind with uplifting and hopeful thoughts. Then, he reinforces his newfound mindset with positive actions. Soon after, he feels a warm glow inside as gratitude fills his heart, making him feel as though he could turn orange with happiness. Will Tom Turkey’s color change once more?

As kindergartners immerse themselves in Tom's colorful tale, students witness the consequences of unchecked emotions and the profound impact of self-management on one's well-being. By exploring Tom's journey, kindergartners develop a deeper understanding of how their emotions can shape their experiences and interactions.

The overarching goal of this SEL lesson is to help kindergartners cultivate happiness and foster a positive self-concept. By mastering their emotions and building self-management skills, students gain a sense of agency over their emotional well-being. They understand that emotions are a natural part of being human, and managing them can enhance their happiness and self-concept.