Free & Fun Ways to Guide Students in Social Emotional Learning
In a world that is becoming increasingly complex, it is essential that children learn to understand and manage their emotions and interact positively with others. Providing students with effective and entertaining ways to work on social-emotional learning (SEL) in class is key to providing a safe and supportive educational environment. In this blog post, we’re going to dive into some really cool and hands-on ways to bring these feel-good lessons into the classroom. So, buckle up for a wild ride of creativity that’ll totally jazz up the way we learn in school! 
Ideas to work on socio-emotional learning in class!
Emotion Charades
Have students act out different emotions without using any words. This game helps them understand and express emotions non-verbally.
Feelings Bingo
Create bingo cards with various emotions instead of numbers. Students mark the emotions they’ve felt or observed in others during a given time period.
Matching Pair
On each turn, a player turns over any two cards (one at a time) and keeps them if the cards match (picture and word). If they successfully match a pair, they get to keep the cards, and that player gets another turn. Download cards HERE!
“I Am” Collage
Have students create collages or visual representations of who they are, incorporating emotions, hobbies, goals, and personal qualities.
Gratitude Jar
Set up a jar where students can write down things they are grateful for and place the notes inside. Read some notes aloud periodically to foster positivity and appreciation.
Emotion Wheel
Provide a wheel with different emotions. Ask students to discuss times they’ve felt each emotion, promoting emotional vocabulary and reflection. You can use this wheel, CLICK HERE!
Mindfulness Activities
Teach mindfulness techniques like deep breathing, body scans, or guided imagery to help students manage stress and enhance self-awareness. CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO!Â
Read Alouds!Â
These are some of my favorite SEL stories I read in class with my primary school learners. Each of these engaging stories will help students learn to face their fears and be courageous, no matter what they are facing. Most of them can be found on YouTube!
- Visiting Feelings by Lauren Rubenstein
- Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
- Silly Billy by Anthony Browne
- The Way I Feel by Jonan Cain
- The Color Monster by Anna Llenas
- In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek
Project Idea
Students will watch the movie “Turning Red” and then engage in a series of interdisciplinary activities that explore themes of transformation, identity, emotions, and cultural influences. They will work on individual and group projects that allow them to delve deeper into these concepts. CLICK HERE AND GRAB THIS RESOURCE NOW!
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In conclusion, it is clear that incorporating socio-emotional learning into the classroom is paramount to providing students with a safe learning environment. By offering engaging and practical strategies teachers can foster emotional literacy, self-awareness, and positive interpersonal skills. There are many creative and effective ways to make classroom learning a richer and more meaningful experience. So let’s get creative and start incorporating socio-emotional learning into our classroom today!
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