Effective SEL Lesson to Teach Pre-K Students How to Manage Themselves

Pre-kindergartners learn something new in this lesson—how to manage themselves with social and emotional positive actions! Through an engaging puppet play, Squeak the hedgehog introduces the pre-kindergartners to the big Manager’s Cap, which reminds them of the positive actions for self-management. While this is a helpful tool, the students don’t need it much to self-manage. They can learn how to do it!

This introductory lesson begins a new Positive Action unit that focuses on the eight social and emotional positive actions for self-management. It starts by defining "social" and “emotional” for the students, before introducing them to the positive actions they must learn to take care of themselves. The concept of self-management is further reinforced by presenting students to their “Eight Gifts,” which are explored in more detail in the upcoming lessons.

This unit sets pre-kindergartners on a new learning journey toward proper management of their behavior and emotions. They don’t fret, however, as they meet with a very great coach named Manager Slanager through a visual aid. He is a great friend with impressive self-discipline who helps the students take care of their gifts throughout the entire unit. As a fun activity, the students wear his Manager’s Cap and think of the ways in which they are learning to take care of themselves.

At the end of the lesson, the whole class listens to the cheerful song, "Managing Me." It sings about the wonderful positive actions that help them manage themselves and their gifts, as well as build their self-concept. The students learn that managing themselves with positive actions makes them feel good about themselves!

Positive Action is an evidence-based SEL program equipped with lessons that are effective in helping students’ social and emotional learning. With Positive Action, pre-kindergarten students develop self-regulation skills, learn how to process their emotions, and create healthier relationships for life!