The climb to success is not an easy feat; it requires more than just time, dedication, and effort. It also requires unwavering resilience, a positive mindset and self-concept, and adept self-management skills. Those aspiring to reach the peak must be equipped with the essential tools and resources that will support them throughout their journey.
As homes of learning and development, schools play a crucial role in equipping students with these essential tools for success and teaching them how to manage their resources effectively. Through this evidence-based SEL lesson, schools can encourage personal resource management among their kindergarten students and help them understand its value to their future success.
An educational audio story titled "Miska Gets an Idea" opens this lesson. In this tale, the jungle animals have met with Picks-It Raccoon and Nix-It Panda. Once the two have gone on their way, the jungle animals reminisce about their past adventures with Picks-It. They remember wanting to go with Picks-It then but could not travel as they did not have a boat that could fit all of them. After hearing that, Miska Monkey lights up and suggests building a big boat that they can use to cross Lake Self-Honesty.
"By learning to manage personal resources effectively, children develop essential life skills and lay the groundwork for future academic and personal success."
At first, the other jungle animals are doubtful, but Miska elaborates on the feasibility of her idea and convinces her friends. According to her, they have all the personal resources they need to build their own boat and succeed. The resources Miska mentioned in the story are:
Time. Allows one to prioritize tasks, set goals, and allocate sufficient time for important activities.
Energy. Allows one to balance physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It ensures enough energy is spent to tackle challenges, make decisions, and stay motivated.
Possessions. Allows one to take advantage of the items one owns and turn them into something useful.
Money. Allows one to budget, save, and invest wisely. With proper management, one can secure financial well-being and create opportunities for growth and stability.
Talents. Allows one to hone skills and excel in chosen fields, pursue meaningful work, and achieve success.
Thoughts. Allows one to cultivate a positive mindset and harness critical thinking. With this gift, one can overcome self-doubt, improve behavior, and stay focused on goals.
Actions. Allows one to take intentional steps toward their objectives. By setting clear goals, planning strategically, and taking consistent action, one can make progress and turn their aspirations into reality.
Feelings. Allows one to respond to different situations and challenges with clarity and composure.
After storytime, there is a class discussion. The teacher explains that each of the resources Miska mentioned is a gift that kindergarten students also possess. The students recite the name of each gift and reflect on how proper management of each can help them work toward their goals. Like Miska Monkey, the students light up at the thought that they can achieve their idea of success using the resources or gifts they are born with.
To end the lesson excitingly, the kindergarten students take part in a creative activity that allows them to create an "Eight Gifts" mobile. They are provided with materials and the teacher guides them on how they can complete it.
Ultimately, the goal of this lesson is to encourage students to value the personal gifts they possess and use them wisely. By learning to manage personal resources effectively, children develop essential life skills and lay the groundwork for future academic and personal success.
Pasela is a digital product presented by Positive Action.
Find out more