How to Conquer Fear and Live a Happy Life: Pre-K SEL Lesson

Squeak and Mimi, two beloved hedgehog puppets, are trembling with fear! Something with red hair, a red nose, and big, big shoes behind the desk is scaring them—it’s a clown! They hide under a hat, but they realize they cannot hide forever! So, they take a second look at the clown. They think hard about what's so scary about something that is supposed to make them laugh. Do they really need to be afraid?

The two beloved hedgehog puppets are right! One way to manage their fears is to look at what scares them and think if they really have to be afraid. Fear is a common emotion, especially for young people such as pre-kindergartners.

Although it is okay to be scared, it is important that pre-kindergartners learn how to manage their fears, so that nothing holds them back from seizing life opportunities. The students learn that managing their fear is a way to manage themselves.

This lesson teaches brilliant young students about the different strategies that they can do to manage their fears. This is done through an interactive discussion with the class, and with the "Grumpy Grouch" visual aid. Then, it encourages the students to join some fun SEL activities that aim to achieve the lesson’s purpose. In the end, the students realize that managing their fears helps them improve their self-concept!

There is no tighter grip that can hold one back than the grip of fear. Fear is a strong and unpleasant emotion that signals an individual’s survival instincts about a potential danger. For pre-kindergartners, fear can be a dark place, an animal, a needle, or a doctor. Although some fears are irrational and harmless, they can feel real enough to prevent one from moving forward. Pre-kindergartners need to learn to control their fears using self-management to allow themselves to grow, learn new things, and progress.