The feeling of worry is an important human function that signals the body for any potential danger. It is only healthy to assess a situation and environment for any threats to oneself. However, always watching one's back can hinder one from moving forward. While being cautious and prepared for potential problems is essential, excessive worrying can harm well-being. It imprisons one within the confines of imagined problems and prevents them from fully embracing the present and its opportunities.
Excessive worry can negatively affect mental and physical well-being. It interferes with intellectual performance, mental clarity, and normal body functioning. This is why teaching kindergartners how to manage worry is so important. Not only does it promote overall well-being, but it also helps them navigate uncertainties more healthily.
Through an illustrative audio story titled "Jareef Giraffe," this evidence-based SEL lesson teaches kindergartners a management strategy to calm down their worried minds and hearts. Here, students learn to utilize positive thinking and follow positive actions to manage their worrying.
"Excessive worry can negatively affect mental and physical well-being. It interferes with intellectual performance, mental clarity, and normal body functioning. This is why teaching kindergartners how to manage worry is so important."
In the story, the jungle animals are happy with their progress in building a boat, except for Jareef Giraffe. When they ask Jareef what is wrong, she reveals she is concerned about what could happen even after they finish building the boat. What if the boat sinks? What if they get lost in their journey? Or what if there will not be enough food where they are going? The other jungle animals look at each other in understanding: Jareef is restless with worry.
The story does not end there. Jareef’s good friends teach her how to deal with this overwhelming emotion. According to Chippy Cheetah, the best way to deal with this feeling is to work on things they can control. If taking action does not help, Jareef can talk to her friends. Most of the time, worries do not seem as bad as imagined.
By following the journey of the jungle animals, kindergartners learn how to address their concerns about the future positively. They apply what they have learned by engaging in a class discussion on what causes their worries. The teacher then encourages them to think of solutions to help them manage themselves. In this activity, kindergartners learn not to invest too much energy in worrying but in positive actions instead.
Teaching kindergartners how to manage worrying empowers them to navigate challenges with resilience, maintain a positive mindset, and foster emotional well-being. It equips them with lifelong skills that support their personal growth, academic success, and happiness. By nurturing their emotional intelligence early, they become empowered to face life's uncertainties with confidence and optimism.
Pasela is a digital product presented by Positive Action.
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