Pre-K SEL Lesson: How to Have a Positive Sense of Humor

Droid needs a laugh! That’s what Dude thinks in the story, "A Good Laugh?" He thinks that Droid needs to lighten up and have more fun, instead of being so serious all the time. So, Dude prepares a practical joke especially for Droid. Although Dude means well, Droid doesn’t find it funny. Unfortunately, Dude’s joke ends up ruining Droid’s painting of their spaceship.

Oh no, Dude’s sense of humor, in the story, is not positive. It ends up making him and Droid feel bad. In this lesson, pre-kindergartners learn that a negative sense of humor can hurt others and can make them feel negative about themselves. The teacher helps them understand that having a sense of humor is a good thing, as it makes them laugh and happy. However, they need to do it in a positive way, otherwise, it can create problems with getting along with others.

Through an interactive class discussion and SEL activity, the young students learn the difference between a positive and a negative sense of humor. Then, they sing a very funny song to help them understand that there are different positive ways to make other people laugh and be happy. The pre-kindergartners promise to treat others with a positive sense of humor, as they want to be treated that way, as well. At the end of the lesson, the ICU messages from the ICU box are read.

During social interactions, having a positive sense of humor is effective in boosting morale, relieving stress, and initiating meaningful connections. It lightens the mood of the environment, making it a safe and easy place to socialize, strengthen bonds, and provide space for comfort.

Positive sense of humor in classrooms contributes to students’ emotional well-being, sense of belonging in school, and levels of engagement.

Having a positive sense of humor not only improves the social aspect of students, but also improves their well-being and boosts their brain performance. The positivity it brings allows the brain to focus, be creative, and thrive.

This lesson is designed for pre-kindergartners to reap the benefits of a positive sense of humor in their social and personal development. To ensure that they are developing a healthy sense of humor, the script, short story, songs, and activities in this lesson are designed to help the students differentiate between a positive and negative sense of humor.