Lesson Plan
Mood Monsters Lesson Plan
Students will identify four basic emotions (happy, sad, angry, calm) and practice two simple regulation strategies—deep breathing and calm music—to build emotional awareness and self-soothing skills.
Teaching emotional regulation in Pre-K fosters early self-awareness, reduces tantrums, and lays a foundation for empathy, resilience, and positive social interactions.
Audience
Pre-K
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive sorting and role-play with calming tools.
Materials
- Emotion Cards Set, - Mood Monster Puppet, - Calm-Down Bottle, - Calm Music Playlist, - Feelings Chart Poster, - Drawing Paper, and - Markers
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print and cut out Emotion Cards Set
- Review and cue the Calm Music Playlist
- Assemble and test the Mood Monster Puppet
- Fill, seal, and place the Calm-Down Bottle in the Calm Corner
- Hang the Feelings Chart Poster where all students can see
- Gather Drawing Paper and Markers
Step 1
Warm-Up: Emotion Check-In
5 minutes
- Have students sit in a circle on the floor
- Show each student the Emotion Cards Set
- Ask “How are you feeling today?” and invite each child to pick a card
- Place chosen cards on the Feelings Chart Poster
- Use the Mood Monster Puppet to model naming the feeling
Step 2
Main Activity: Mood Monster Sorting
15 minutes
- Give each student 2–3 cards from the Emotion Cards Set
- Invite students to feed each card to the matching Mood Monster with the puppet or sort cards into emotion piles
- Teach deep breathing: demonstrate with the Calm-Down Bottle and have students practice as the glitter settles
- Play a short segment of the Calm Music Playlist and guide students to breathe along
Step 3
Cool-Down: Calm Corner Practice
10 minutes
- Lead students to the Calm Corner stocked with the Calm-Down Bottle and soft music
- Invite each child to choose a regulation strategy: breathing, listening to music, or drawing their Mood Monster
- Provide Drawing Paper and Markers for self-expression
- Reconvene and ask, “How do you feel now?” to reinforce self-awareness
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Slide Deck
Mood Monsters: Exploring Emotions
30-minute Pre-K lesson on identifying feelings and practicing self-soothing strategies.
Welcome, teachers! Introduce today’s lesson: 'Mood Monsters'. Explain we’ll explore emotions and practice simple calming techniques.
Lesson Objectives
• Identify four basic emotions: happy, sad, angry, calm
• Practice two regulation strategies: deep breathing & calm music
Read the objectives aloud and briefly explain each. Ensure students know what they’ll learn and why it’s fun.
Why Teach Emotion Regulation?
• Fosters self-awareness and empathy
• Reduces tantrums and frustrations
• Builds resilience and positive social skills
Highlight the importance of early emotional skills. Share a short anecdote if you have one.
Materials
• Emotion Cards Set
• Mood Monster Puppet
• Calm-Down Bottle
• Calm Music Playlist
• Feelings Chart Poster
• Drawing Paper & Markers
Show the actual materials or images so teachers know what to prepare.
Setup & Preparation
• Print & cut out Emotion Cards Set
• Cue the Calm Music Playlist
• Assemble & test the Mood Monster Puppet
• Fill & seal the Calm-Down Bottle
• Hang the Feelings Chart Poster
• Gather Drawing Paper & Markers
Go over each prep step. Recommend doing this 10 minutes before class starts.
Warm-Up: Emotion Check-In
• Students sit in a circle
• Show Emotion Cards Set
• Ask each child to pick a card and name their feeling
• Place cards on the Feelings Chart Poster
• Use the Mood Monster Puppet to model naming emotions
Script: 'Let’s sit in a circle! How are you feeling today?' Show cards and invite responses.
Main Activity: Mood Monster Sorting
• Distribute 2–3 cards per student
• Students feed cards to the matching Mood Monster or sort into piles
• Demonstrate deep breathing with the Calm-Down Bottle
• Play a short clip of Calm Music and breathe together
Demonstrate 'feeding' cards to the puppet and lead deep breaths slowly. Guide students with verbal cues.
Cool-Down: Calm Corner Practice
• Move to the Calm Corner with bottle & soft music
• Students choose a strategy: breathing, music, or drawing
• Provide Drawing Paper & Markers for self-expression
• Reconvene and ask: “How do you feel now?”
Encourage each child to choose a calming tool. Observe and support as needed.
Reflection & Wrap-Up
• Ask students to share their favorite calm-down technique
• Reinforce naming emotions and using strategies
• Encourage practicing these skills throughout the day
Invite students to share which strategy helped them most. Emphasize ongoing practice.
Thank You & Next Steps
Let’s keep our Mood Monsters calm!
Plan to revisit these tools daily to build lasting skills.
Thank teachers and remind them to revisit these activities regularly.
Worksheet
Emotion Cards Set
Cut out the cards below to use in class activities. Each card shows a face and the emotion word. Print and cut along the lines.
| 😊 | 😢 |
|---|---|
| Happy | Sad |
| 😠 | 😌 |
|---|---|
| Angry | Calm |
Activity
Mood Monster Sorting
Time: 15 minutes
Objective: Students will match emotion cards to the correct mood categories and practice deep breathing to connect feelings with a calming strategy.
Materials:
Instructions:
- Give each student 2–3 cards from the Emotion Cards Set.
- Lay out the sorting mat below or draw four big boxes on the floor/chart labeled with each emotion.
- Model the activity: hold up a “😠 Angry” card, say “This is angry,” then ‘feed’ it to the angry Mood Monster using the Mood Monster Puppet or place it in the Angry box.
- After sorting each card, invite students to shake the Calm-Down Bottle, take three deep breaths, and watch the glitter settle.
- Play a short clip from the Calm Music Playlist and guide students to breathe slowly along with the music.
Sorting Mat Template:
| 😊 Happy | 😢 Sad | 😠 Angry | 😌 Calm |
|---|---|---|---|
Students place their cards into the matching boxes above.
Follow-Up Questions:
- Which emotion was easiest to find? Which was the trickiest?
- How did it feel to stop and take deep breaths?
- Which Mood Monster did you enjoy feeding the most?
Project Guide
Calm-Down Bottle Guide
A calm-down bottle is a simple, sensory tool that helps Pre-K students practice deep breathing and self-regulation as they watch glitter settle. Follow these steps to create your own and integrate it into the Mood Monsters lesson.
Materials
- 1 clear, empty plastic bottle (16–20 oz) with cap
- Warm water (tap temperature)
- 2–3 tablespoons of clear school glue or glitter glue
- Fine glitter in one or two colors
- Funnel (or rolled paper)
- 2–3 drops of food coloring (optional)
- Hot glue gun or strong tape
- Optional: 1–2 teaspoons of vegetable oil (for slower settling)
Step-by-Step Assembly (about 10 minutes)
- Prepare the Bottle: Remove any labels and rinse the bottle thoroughly; let it dry.
- Add Glue: Place the funnel in the bottle’s mouth. Pour in the glue (or glitter glue) so it coats the inside when shaken.
- Add Glitter: Using the funnel, add a generous pinch of fine glitter. If you want multiple colors, layer them carefully.
- Add Water: Fill the bottle about three-quarters full with warm water. (Warm water helps the glue mix.)
- Color (Optional): Drop in 2–3 drops of food coloring and swirl gently to tint the water.
- Top Off & Oil (Optional): Fill almost to the top, leaving a small air pocket. If you want slower sparkles, add 1–2 teaspoons of vegetable oil before the final water.
- Seal the Cap: Wipe the bottle neck dry. Use hot glue around the inside of the cap or wrap the sealed cap tightly with tape to prevent leaks.
- Test: Shake the bottle and watch the glitter swirl, then settle in 30–60 seconds. Adjust glue or oil for faster/slower settling as needed.
Classroom Integration Tips
- Demonstrate Usage: Show students how to shake the bottle, place it on a flat surface, and take three deep breaths while watching the glitter.
- Pair with Music: Use during the Main Activity after students feed cards to their Mood Monsters, or in the Calm Corner with a short clip from the Calm Music Playlist.
- Rotate Bottles: If you have multiple bottles, let small groups take turns so everyone has a hands-on experience.
- Maintenance: Store upright in the Calm Corner. Occasionally shake and reseal if glue settles at the bottom.
Having a glitter calm-down bottle on hand provides a tangible focus for breathing exercises and supports the emotional regulation skills practiced in the Mood Monsters lesson.
Journal
Draw Your Mood Monster
Today, we practiced noticing our feelings and using calm-down strategies with our Mood Monsters. Use this journal to reflect and create!
1. Draw Your Upset Mood Monster
Sometimes when we feel upset, our Mood Monster looks BIG, LOUD, or SCARED. Use the space below to draw your Mood Monster when you feel upset.
2. Draw Your Calm Mood Monster
After using a calm-down strategy (like watching the Calm-Down Bottle Guide glitter settle or deep breathing), our Mood Monster becomes quiet and relaxed. Draw your calm Mood Monster here.
3. My Favorite Calm-Down Strategy
Which strategy helped your Mood Monster feel calm? Write about your favorite way to calm down and why it works for you.
My favorite calm-down strategy is: ______________________________________________________
4. How I Feel Now
Reflect on how you feel after calming your Mood Monster. Use words or drawings below to share your feelings.
Great job reflecting on your emotions and practicing regulation skills! Keep this journal entry to remind yourself how to help your Mood Monster stay calm every day.
Cool Down
Feelings Reflection
- Today I felt: _____________ (happy, sad, angry, calm)
- To calm down, I used: _____________ (deep breathing, music, drawing)
- Now I feel: _____________