Kindergarten

Students in all grade levels will have age-appropriate lessons in the following areas:

Self- Awareness

Identifying Feelings 

Identifying Traits

Social Awareness

Recognizing others feelings

Empathy

Disagreeing with others

Respect for other people’s feelings and belongings

Self- Management

Monitoring Stress and coping skills

Growth Mindset - Developing Grit

Showing Self Control 

Goal Setting

Responsible Decision Making

Communicating 

Appropriate behavior

Following rules

Safety

August/September :

Do you know what a school counselor does?  In our first lesson, Kindergarten students will learn what a school counselor does in their school.  We will take a look at our friend Mrs. Potato Head to understand how a counselor listens, teaches, and helps in the school when students are facing challenges that are too big and getting in the way of learning.

Students will learn ways to practice good listening in school and home.  Students listened to the story of Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns to Listen by Howard Binkow to help them understand the listening rules that keep him and his class safe.  

To reinforce some of the listening skills taught in class, the We Do Listen  website provides games, songs and activities to help young children understand how listening is respectful and keeps us safe!!

September: - Self control

In Kindergarten, students are learning about self-control, especially when it comes to shouting out, interrupting, and talking over others. To support this skill, we read the book My Mouth Is a Volcano by Julia Cook. The story helps children understand that sometimes words feel like they want to “erupt,” but we can learn ways to keep them under control and speak at the right time.

Through discussion and modeling, students learned that having something to say is important, but waiting for the right moment helps everyone feel heard and respected. We talked about strategies such as raising a hand, taking a breath, and reminding ourselves, “I can wait my turn.”

To reinforce self-control and listening skills, students also completed a hands-on activity. They colored a volcano picture and then turned it into a puzzle by following step-by-step directions. This activity helped students practice slowing down, listening carefully, and staying focused—important skills for managing impulses and being ready to learn.

How Parents Can Encourage These Skills at Home

You can support this learning by:

• Using shared language such as, “Is your volcano calm or ready to erupt?”

• Practicing turn-taking during conversations at home

• Encouraging your child to pause and take a breath before speaking

• Praising effort when your child waits, raises their hand, or listens—even if it’s hard

These skills take time and practice, especially for young learners. Our goal is to help students feel proud of using their words in thoughtful ways so everyone can learn and communicate successfully.

October

During our counselor lessons our kindergarten students met Scribble Spot.  A story about emotions and feelings and how we can help ourselves and others by learning to identify what we are feeling and sharing that with others as needed.  This school year, Kindergarteners will learn about several emotions and ways to cope when the emotion is too big.  We will use the little spot series to explore identification and regulation of our emotions.  Students will learn how to recognize others' feelings and ways to show empathy and respect to others.

Little spot feelings:
October

Peaceful Spot
Students learn that the peaceful spot is when their body and mind feel calm, safe, and ready to learn. We talk about ways to return to a peaceful spot, such as deep breathing, quiet time, or gentle movement. Families can support this by asking, “Does your body feel peaceful right now?” and practicing calming routines together.

Happiness Spot
The happiness spot helps children recognize feelings of joy, excitement, and contentment. Students are encouraged to notice what brings them happiness and to share those moments with others. At home, parents can invite children to talk about what made them happy during the day and celebrate those positive feelings together.

Confidence Spot
Students explore the confidence spot by recognizing their strengths and learning to believe in themselves. We encourage positive self-talk and trying again even when something feels hard. Families can support confidence by praising effort, saying things like, “You tried your best,” or “I’m proud of you for not giving up.”  Students are encouraged to grow their confidence spot through practicing new skills, building new friendships,and managing hard emotions.  

November:

Worry Spot
Students learn that everyone feels worried sometimes, especially when something feels new or uncertain. We practice naming worries and using coping tools like taking deep breaths, talking to a trusted adult, or using positive self-talk. Families can encourage this by listening calmly and saying, “It’s okay to feel worried. Let’s figure out what can help.”

Anger Spot
The anger spot helps children understand that anger is a normal feeling, but it’s important to express it safely. Students practice calming strategies such as breathing, taking space, or using words instead of actions. Parents can help by modeling calm responses and reminding children, “It’s okay to feel angry, and we can choose safe ways to handle it.”  Students watched what happens when our Anger is out of control, like a balloon whizzing through the air- without control, possibly knocking into classmates or interrupting learning.  Students learn how to slowly release the anger to be in control and able to return to learning.  

December

Frustration Spot
The frustration spot helps children notice when something feels difficult or doesn’t go their way. Students learn to pause, take a breath, ask for help, or try a different strategy. At home, parents can name this feeling and guide children by saying, “It looks like you’re frustrated. What could help your body calm down?” Students made a flip your frustration spot to practice turning our moment from frustrated to in control.  

Giving Spot

Students recently read The Giving Spot by Diane Alber. This story helps children understand the importance of kindness, generosity, and empathy. Through the book, students learn that giving is not just about receiving gifts, but about showing care, love, and thoughtfulness toward others. We discussed how giving can include kind words, helping actions, sharing time, and thinking about how our choices make others feel.

Students talked about what it means to be a “giving person” and how giving to others can make both the giver and the receiver feel happy, connected, and appreciated. We emphasized that everyone has the ability to give in meaningful ways, no matter their age.

Our goal is to help children feel comfortable sharing their emotions, using coping tools, and returning to a peaceful spot so they can learn, play, and grow successfully at school. Thank you for partnering with us as we support your child’s emotional development.

January: Respecting others

In Kindergarten, students are learning about respect, personal space, and self-control—important skills that help everyone feel safe, comfortable, and ready to learn. To support this learning, we will be reading the book Personal Space Camp by Julia Cook.

Through the story and class discussion, students learn that everyone has an invisible “personal space bubble” and that respecting others means being aware of our bodies, words, and actions. We talk about how personal space can look different for different people and situations, and how paying attention to cues helps us be kind and respectful classmates.

To reinforce the lesson, students will also complete a fun activity by drawing a rocket to represent their personal space. The rocket helps children visualize their space and reminds them to “keep their rocket to themselves,” use gentle movements, and practice self-control when they feel excited or energetic.

How Parents Can Encourage These Skills at Home

You can support this learning by:

• Using shared language such as, “Remember your personal space bubble/rocket.”

• Practicing respectful spacing during play, lining up, or family activities

• Modeling self-control and calm body movements

• Praising your child when they notice and respect others’ space

These skills take practice, especially for young children, and we focus on progress and positive reminders. Our goal is to help students feel confident using their bodies and words in respectful ways so everyone can learn and play comfortably together.