Kindergarten

I am in the kindergarten classroom every other week for a 20-30 minute lesson. I teach 14-16 lessons total in each classroom. A summary of the lesson will be posted below.

Our conversations about mental health at school are best supported by continued conversations at home. Discussing mental health is as important as discussing physical health (in age and developmentally appropriate ways). An example of this would sound like: "I take care of my physical health in a lot of ways. I make sure that I get enough sleep, I eat foods that fuel my body, I get outside or move my body, I brush my teeth, bathe, and go to the doctor when I need to. Just like my physical health I also need to take care of my mental health. I get outside and move my body regularly because it helps me destress, I stay connected with my friends, I get enough sleep, I practice emotional regulation, and when I need to I talk to specialists or take medication." Part of the health and safety piece at home is to monitor internet usage, ensure that medications (especially prescriptions) are locked up, as well as, firearms; this is imperative to our children's safety.

Lesson 1| August 28-29| Getting to know the adults in your school and what they can do for you! Today we met Mrs. Osborne our school counselor. Mrs. Potato Head was a key element to our lesson. We discussed how Mrs. Osborne is similar to Mrs. Potato Head. Mrs. Osborne LISTENS to us when we need to TALK or have a QUESTION. She HELPS us HELP ourselves. We discussed who other helpers were in the school and talked about Mrs. Osborne coming to our class every other week to teach us lessons on friendship, conflict management, safe and healthy choices, feelings, and being a great student! **Students may request to see the school counselor individually with a parent or teacher referral. Students can self refer too, though in most cases an adult communicates that with me.

Lesson 2 - 6 | September 11- November 14 | Conflict Resolution Unit: Kelso's Choice's Peace Wheel is the curriculum used as a foundation for conflict resolution. Students identify what is a small problem (something they are smart enough and strong enough to solve on their own. Often a conflict that is annoying or frustrating) and what is a big problem (something dangerous, unsafe, or scary) and adults they can go to for help (both at school and at home). In kindergarten we specifically discuss the choices Talk it out, Wait and Cool Off, Apologize, Share and Take Turns, and Tell Them to Stop.

Lesson 7-10 | December 5- Feb 20 | Emotional Regulation: In Kindergarten we will use the Slumberkins Curriculum, Creatures Full of Feelings, to name feelings and identify they give us a message of a need that we have.

Lesson 11 - __ | March 5 - __ | Safe and Healthy Choices: We will discuss personal safety including Physical and Emotional Well Being

coming Units:

Future Planning: We will define the words skills and interests. We will read about different careers and discuss the skills and interests needed for these careers.