Social Awareness
Classroom Guidance
Grades PreK-1st
Goal
Recognizing that others have feelings (empathy)
Check-in
How are you feeling right now?
Question Before you Begin
Building Background
Today we are going to talk about social awareness. Remember last time we said that awareness means to learn about someone or something. Today we have a new word, social. Social just means being around people. We are going to learn something about the people around us. Can we tell what other people are thinking or feeling, even when we don’t talk to them? How can we tell?
We can look at someone’s face or body to see how they are feeling. Let me show you. How am I feeling if I do this. (sad face and body language)
Yep, I’m sad. What about this? (Continue a few more times with excitement, anger, and scared)
Now we are going to watch something that is going to show us a little bit more.
Watch "Color your World with Kindness"
Watch We're All Wonders
Questions after Watching
Activity
Emotions Charades
Directions:
Discussion Questions:
Check for Understanding
Mindful Moment
Mind Yeti
Imaginary Hugs
1. What does it feel like to hug someone you care about? Is someone you'd like to hug isn't with you, can you give them an imaginary hug anyway? Let's try it!
2. Sit with your back straight and your body relaxed, resting your hands gently on your knees, and close your eyes if you feel comfortable doing so. Let's take a few breaths together.
3. Imagine a peaceful place that you would like to visit with your friends and family. It can be a place you know, a place you've never been, or an imaginary place.
4. Now let's send friendly wishes to ourselves. Give yourself a big hug., imagine you're having fun in your peaceful place, and silently say something like this: I hope I have a great day. I hope I have lots of fun playing with my friends.
5. Next we're going to give someone we love an imaginary hug. Make your arms into a circle in front of your chest and think of someone you'd like to hug. Imagine that he or she is with you in your peaceful place and that you're hugging each other. Then silently say something like this: I hope you are happy and have a great day. I hope you have what you need.
6. Are there more people you would like to hug and invite to your peaceful place? Open your arms wide enough so that everyone can fit. Picture all of them smiling and laughing and imagine you're giving each other a big hug. Then silently send friendly wishes.
7. With arms stretched out wide, imagine that the whole planet is a peaceful place and that you are hugging the planet as you silently say something like this: I hope everyone is happy today. I want all of us to be healthy and safe and to feel peaceful and content.
8. Now open your eyes. Reach your hands high up to the sky as you take a big breath in, and as you breathe out, lower your hands to your knees.