Teach Kindergarten How to Manage the Self: 4 Helpful SEL Exercises

Maintaining focus is critical in accomplishing goals, finding internal fulfillment, and securing long-term success. To preserve focus, the practice of self-discipline is paramount. Self-discipline empowers individuals to stay on track, make deliberate choices, and persevere through challenges, ultimately paving the way for personal growth and achievement.

Children in kindergarten need to learn how to manage themselves to practice self-discipline and stay focused on their goals. To manage oneself means to manage one’s personal resources or special gifts, which are thoughts, actions, and feelings, among others.

This evidence-based SEL lesson aims to instill self-management and self-discipline among kindergarten students. It prepares helpful exercises that engage their critical thinking and test their understanding of key concepts discussed in the previous lessons.

A class review of the eight special gifts introduces this lesson, reminding students that using them wisely can help them create opportunities and reach their idea of success.

The class then dives straight into the mental exercises. Students analyze scenarios depicting various ways the characters use their resources, then they decide if self-discipline is being practiced. For example, a man named Mr. Smith leaves his responsibilities at work to go fishing for a day. When people visit his grocery store, they cannot buy food and he loses some of his customers. Students answer whether Mr. Smith does a great job in managing his time and responsibilities.

Afterward, another class discussion takes place. The teacher reinforces among students the importance of choosing positive actions even if they prefer something else. Doing so is an act of self-discipline and intelligent use of personal resources.

Overall, this effective lesson teaches kindergarten students self-management and responsibility. Through this, they can learn integrity, wise decision-making, and resource management, all of which foster positive responses in any situation.