Social and Emotional Development

Personal Definition of Social and Emotional Development- Social and Emotional development is about how children can understand how others feel along with controlling their behavior, feelings and getting along with others. Children can also learn how to manage and express themselves being that emotions become a big part of them. Social and emotional development also focuses on self-awareness, social awareness and decision making skills.

1.) Name of Activity: Mirror Mirror on the Wall

 

Originating Idea: Children love looking at themselves in the bathroom mirror when washing their hands.

 

Curriculum Area: Social and Emotional Development- #7 Children have a positive self-identity.

 

Materials: Mirror

 

Appropriate Age group: Pre-Kindergarten (4-5 yrs.)

 

Beginning of Activity: At group time, discuss children’s interest with mirrors and explain what we will be doing for small groups- mirror mirror on the wall activity.

 

Middle of Activity

 

Early Extension: Children will recognize themselves in the mirror.

 

 

Middle: Children will point to themselves in mirror, recognize some facial features like eyes and mouth.

  

 

Later Extension: Children will name what they see in the mirror such as eye color and facial features.

 

 

End of Activity: Children will go back to group time carpet to get ready for centers.

 

Follow-up Ideas (2): Talk about “What Makes you Special?” and another idea would be to read “What I like about Me!” by Allia Zobel Nolan.

 

 

2.) Name of Activity: Feeling Bingo

 

Originating Idea: Children really love playing Princess Bingo and seeing the different faces.

Curriculum Area: Social and Emotional Development- #9 Children recognize, label, and regulate their feelings.

 

Materials: Laminated bingo face cards, bingo chips or markers

 

Appropriate Age group: Preschool (3-4 yrs.)

 

Beginning of Activity: At carpet time, have a talk about what we will be doing at a center.

 

Middle of Activity

 

Early Extension: Children will recognize faces on cards.

 

 

Middle: Children will put bingo chips on the cards and mimic facial expressions.

  

 

Later Extension: Children will recognize all emotions on cards and put bingo chips on the face being shown.

 

 

End of Activity: Clear bingo cards and go to next center

 

 

Follow-up Ideas (2): Read Dr. Seuss’s ‘My Many Colored Days’ which is about how colors are associated with a specific emotion, my second follow up idea would be to sing “If you’re happy and you know it” while adding other emotions to the song.

 

 

3.) Name of Activity: Animal Relay Race

 

Originating Idea: Children love playing with the animal bucket.

 

Curriculum Area: Social and Emotional Development- #13 Children engage in cooperative play.

 

Materials: Orange cones, baton

 

Appropriate Age group: Preschool (3-4 yrs.)

 

Beginning of Activity: During snack time have a discussion about what activity we will do during outside time.

 

Middle of Activity

 

Early Extension: Children will run to their partner.

 

 

Middle: Children will make animal sounds while running to their partner.

 

Later Extension: Children will be able to motion the animals movement while racing to their partner.

 

 

End of Activity: Play outside on playground until its time to go inside for lunch.

 

Follow-up Ideas (2): After nap play the “Animal Freeze Dance” by the Kiboomers and review our “First 100 Animals” flash cards.