Introduction
Developing self-regulation skills is crucial for all preschoolers, as these skills help children manage their emotions, behavior, and thoughts, setting a strong foundation for future learning and social interactions. In this blog, you will find a lesson plan designed to support this development through an activity focused on helping preschoolers handle change.
Why Helping Preschoolers Handle Change is Important
Teaching self-regulation and helping preschoolers handle change is essential because it equips them with the tools to navigate transitions smoothly and adapt to new situations. These skills reduce anxiety, foster resilience, and enhance their ability to focus, follow instructions, and interact positively with peers. Understanding and managing change early on not only eases daily transitions but also prepares children for the challenges they may encounter in their educational journey and beyond.
Lesson Plan: Helping Preschoolers Handle Change
Objective
To teach preschoolers strategies for handling change and transitions effectively.
Materials Needed
- Visual aids (e.g., pictures, charts)
- Role-play props (optional)
- “I Can Handle Change” activity materials
Introduction (10 min)
- Greet the students and discuss the concept of change. Ask questions like, “What does change mean?” and “How do you feel when things change?”
- Explain why learning to handle change is important. Emphasize that change can be positive and provide opportunities for growth.
Main Activity: Helping Preschoolers Handle Change (20 minutes)
- Engage students in a brainstorming session about different types of changes they might encounter (e.g., new classroom activities, seasons changing).
- Introduce strategies for handling change:
- Deep breathing to stay calm
- Talking about feelings with friends or teachers
- Using positive self-talk (“I can do this!”)
- Divide students into pairs or small groups and assign scenarios where change occurs (e.g., a new toy is introduced, a favorite activity is canceled).
- Encourage students to practice using the strategies discussed.
Interactive Worksheet: I Can Handle Change (15 minutes)
- Distribute the “I Can Handle Change” worksheet. This is a matching activity designed to reinforce strategies for managing transitions. Preschool students will draw lines to match each “switching tracks” strategy with its description.
- Encourage students to carefully read each strategy and its corresponding description.
- Guide them as they draw lines to connect each strategy with its appropriate description.
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Review and Discussion (10 minutes)
- After completing the activity, discuss each strategy with the students.
- Ask them to share examples of when they could use each strategy to handle change effectively.
Lesson Wrap-Up (5 minutes)
Summarize the key points discussed in the lesson. Reinforce the idea that change is a normal part of life but can be managed with the right strategies. Highlight the importance of choosing a calming technique, naming emotions, and pressing pause before reacting to changes. Encourage students to continue practicing these strategies and to seek support from trusted adults or peers when they encounter challenging transitions. Remind them that understanding and handling change effectively is a step toward becoming more emotionally intelligent and resilient individuals.
Conclusion
Helping preschoolers handle change is teaching them a vital component of their social and emotional development. By recognizing and managing change effectively, children can improve their adaptability, confidence, and overall well-being. This lesson plan offers a structured approach to help preschoolers understand change, identify their emotions, and develop strategies to cope with transitions. By equipping them with these essential skills early on, we set the foundation for their future success and emotional resilience.
Sample Video
Students learn best from watching real students their own age model skills. Try out this sample video lesson. We offer our entire Social-Emotional Learning platform free for 14 days here!
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Emotional Recognition Activity for Preschoolers
