lenny

Building Our Preschool Family

user image

Lesson Plan

Building Our Preschool Family

Students will recognize their role in the classroom community by sharing personal name-photo cards, discussing family-like relationships at school, and collaborating on a community collage to foster belonging and empathy.

Developing a strong sense of belonging in preschool promotes social-emotional growth, supports cooperative behaviors, and builds empathy—laying the foundation for positive relationships and a safe learning environment.

Audience

Pre-K Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through read-aloud, sharing, and collaborative art, students build classroom community.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Print and cut Name-Photo Card Template for each student
  • Print Community Collage Template on large paper
  • Gather The Family Book by Todd Parr, chart paper, markers, glue sticks, and safety scissors
  • Place chart paper or whiteboard in the gathering area

Step 1

Welcome and Gathering Circle

5 minutes

  • Invite students to sit in a circle on the rug
  • Introduce the idea of our classroom as a ‘preschool family’
  • Explain that everyone belongs and has something special to share

Step 2

Read-Aloud and Discussion

7 minutes

  • Read The Family Book by Todd Parr aloud
  • Pause to ask: “Who is in Todd’s family?” and “Who is in our class family?”
  • Encourage students to name classmates and share one thing they like about being together

Step 3

Share & Name-Photo Introduction

5 minutes

  • Distribute each student’s preprinted name-photo card
  • Invite each child to hold up their card, say their name, and share one favorite activity
  • Model active listening and praise contributions

Step 4

Community Collage Creation

8 minutes

  • Lay out the Community Collage Template on a table or floor
  • Have students glue their name-photo cards onto the template
  • Encourage drawing or coloring around each card to show connections
  • Support sharing materials and helping friends

Step 5

Reflection and Closing

5 minutes

  • Gather around the finished collage
  • Ask: “How does seeing all our cards together make you feel?”
  • Highlight cooperation and belonging: “We are a team and we care for each other!”
  • Celebrate the new classroom family with applause
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Building Our Preschool Family

30-Minute SEL Lesson
Pre-K Students

Welcome, everyone! Today we’re going to build our preschool family. Use this slide to introduce yourself and get excited about our lesson.

Materials

• The Family Book by Todd Parr
• Name-Photo Card Template
• Community Collage Template
• Chart Paper, Markers, Glue Sticks, Safety Scissors

Point to each item as you name it. Explain that we’ll read a book, share our own cards, and make a big collage together.

Welcome & Gathering Circle

• Sit in a circle on the rug
• We are one preschool family
• Everyone belongs

Invite students to sit in a circle. Explain that our class is like a family where everyone belongs and has something special to share.

Read-Aloud & Discussion

• Read The Family Book by Todd Parr
• Who is in Todd’s family?
• Who is in our class family?

Hold up the book and read with expression. Pause to ask: “Who is in Todd’s family?” Then ask: “Who is in our class family?” Encourage naming friends.

Share & Name-Photo Introduction

• Hold up your name-photo card
• Say your name
• Share one favorite activity

Hand out each child’s preprinted card. Model saying your name and sharing a favorite activity. Encourage applause for each speaker.

Community Collage Creation

• Glue your name-photo card onto the collage
• Draw or color around cards to show connections
• Help friends and share materials

Lay out the collage template. Guide children to glue their cards, then draw lines or pictures showing how we’re connected. Help with scissors and glue.

Reflection & Closing

• How does our collage make you feel?
• We are a team and we care for each other!
• Applause for our preschool family

Gather around the finished collage. Ask how it makes them feel and reinforce that we care for each other. Lead applause to celebrate our new preschool family.

lenny

Worksheet

Name-Photo Card Template

Attach Your Photo Here:






My Name Is:



My Favorite Activity Is: (Draw or write below)










lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Community Collage Template

Our Preschool Family

Glue your name-photo card(s) onto the space below. Then draw lines, pictures, or shapes to show how we are all connected and belong together!

Directions:

  • Glue your own name-photo card in any open spot.
  • Decorate around each card with drawings, stickers, or lines to show friendships and connections.













lenny
lenny
Building Our Preschool Family • Lenny Learning