Pre-K SEL Story: How to Be Helpful and Compassionate

In this SEL lesson, pre-kindergartners follow the story of their two space-faring friends, Droid and Dude, titled "Kind Hearts and Helping Hands." It is a story of compassion, helpfulness, and treating others the way one wants to be treated.

The story starts with Droid feeling sad because his spaceship decorations have been ruined. He is feeling a mix of negative emotions—sadness, discouragement, and worry. He is sad and discouraged that his efforts have been wasted. He is also worried that Dude may not join the Mars trip anymore. But Dude is a compassionate friend. He completely understands what Droid is feeling, so he shows him compassion. He helps Droid repaint and redecorate their spaceship.

After the story, the students engage in a discussion that encourages them to relate to the characters’ experiences. This gives them a chance to share how being compassionate and being shown compassion make them feel and why they think showing compassion is important.

To help the students develop compassion, the class participates in a social skill activity that allows them to be compassionate to others. The students learn, by the end of the lesson, that this social-emotional positive action makes them feel good about themselves.

Starting early is the key to developing a compassionate attitude, and pre-kindergartners can start practicing it in small ways. Whether it’s offering a snack to someone who doesn't have one, carrying a teacher's books, or standing up for a classmate being bullied, these simple acts of kindness can inspire them to do more good deeds, set higher educational goals, and work towards greater accomplishments.