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My Self-Care Adventure

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Lesson Plan

Feel-Good Superstars Lesson Plan

Students will learn what self-care is and why it matters, explore simple self-care strategies, and create a personalized Feel-Good Toolbox to practice daily self-care.

Building foundational social-emotional skills helps young learners recognize and manage their feelings, supports well-being, and fosters lifelong healthy habits. This lesson encourages self-awareness and empowers 1st graders to care for their bodies and minds.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, story, and hands-on art activity.

Materials

Feel-Good Story Slides, Self-Care Strategies Picture Cards, and Feel-Good Toolbox Template

Prep

Teacher Preparation

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Story Read-Aloud

5 minutes

  • Display Feel-Good Story Slides and read the short story about a character practicing self-care
  • Ask: “What does self-care mean? Why might we need it?”
  • Invite a few volunteers to share times they did something kind for themselves

Step 2

Explore Self-Care Strategies

10 minutes

  • Show Self-Care Strategies Picture Cards one at a time
  • For each card, ask: “How does this help our body or mind feel better?”
  • Sort cards into categories: Body Care (e.g., stretching), Mind Care (e.g., reading), Feeling Care (e.g., talking with a friend)
  • Encourage students to share their favorite strategy

Step 3

Create Feel-Good Toolbox

10 minutes

  • Distribute Feel-Good Toolbox Template and art supplies
  • Instruct students to decorate the toolbox and draw or write three self-care strategies inside
  • Circulate and prompt with ideas: deep breaths, singing, drawing, taking a break

Step 4

Share & Reflect

5 minutes

  • Invite volunteers to show their Feel-Good Toolbox and describe one strategy they chose
  • Ask: “When will you use this in your day?”
  • Encourage students to keep their toolbox at their desk and use a strategy when they need a break
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Slide Deck

Meet Sunny the Squirrel

Sunny loves to play and explore the forest every day.

(Show slide and greet) Today we’re going to read a story about Sunny the Squirrel and how she practices self-care. Point to Sunny and introduce her.

Feeling Tired

One morning, Sunny felt tired and a little grumpy. Her head felt heavy and her energy was low.

Ask students: “Have you ever felt tired like Sunny?”

Taking a Break

Sunny sat under a shady tree. She took three deep breaths and drank a little water.

Model deep breaths with students. Breathe in together, breathe out.

Talking to a Friend

Her friend Robbie Rabbit hopped over. Sunny told Robbie how she felt, and Robbie gave her a warm hug.

Emphasize listening skills. Ask: “Who do you talk to when you feel sad?”

Doing Some Stretches

Sunny and Robbie stood tall like trees and stretched their arms high, then wiggled their bodies like dancing leaves.

Lead students in a quick stretch: reach arms up, wiggle fingers.

Feeling Better

After her break and stretches, Sunny felt happy, strong, and ready to play again!

Point out how self-care helped Sunny. Transition to strategy discussion.

What Can We Do?

Sunny practiced deep breaths, talking with a friend, and stretching. We can try these strategies too!

Ask: “What self-care strategies did Sunny use? Which one will you try?”

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Activity

Self-Care Strategies Cards

Printable cards with images and labels for simple self-care strategies. Print, cut out, and use these cards during sorting and discussion activities to help students explore how different practices support their well-being.

Cards include:

  1. Stretching (Body Care)
    Image: Child reaching arms high like a tall tree, feet planted firmly on the ground.
  2. Drinking Water (Body Care)
    Image: Child taking a big sip from a water bottle, smiling and refreshed.
  3. Deep Breathing (Mind Care)
    Image: Child with eyes closed, hands on belly, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly.
  4. Reading a Book (Mind Care)
    Image: Child sitting comfortably with an open picture book in their lap, looking relaxed.
  5. Talking with a Friend (Feeling Care)
    Image: Two children sitting together, one listening as the other shares feelings.
  6. Singing a Song (Feeling Care)
    Image: Child with music notes floating around, happily singing into a pretend microphone.

Use these cards to:

  • Name and discuss each strategy and how it helps your body or mind feel better.
  • Sort cards into three categories: Body Care, Mind Care, Feeling Care.
  • Share which strategy you want to try today.


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Lesson Plan

Self-Care Adventure Lesson Plan

Students will learn what self-care means, practice three simple strategies (deep breathing, stretching, and expressing feelings), and create a personalized Feel-Good Toolbox to remind them of ways to care for their well-being.

Introducing self-care early helps 1st graders recognize and manage their emotions, build healthy habits, and improve focus and resilience in class and beyond.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Read-aloud story, guided discussion, and hands-on art activity

Materials

Feel-Good Story Slides, Self-Care Strategies Picture Cards, Feel-Good Toolbox Template, and Crayons, Markers, and Scissors

Prep

Teacher Preparation

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Story Read-Aloud

5 minutes

  • Display Feel-Good Story Slides and read the short narrative about Sunny the Squirrel
  • Ask: “What is self-care? Why might we need to take care of ourselves?”
  • Invite volunteers to share a time they did something nice for their body or mind

Step 2

Explore Self-Care Strategies

10 minutes

  • Show Self-Care Strategies Picture Cards one at a time
  • For each card, ask: “How does this help our body or mind feel better?”
  • Help students sort cards into three categories: Body Care, Mind Care, Feeling Care
  • Encourage students to name their favorite strategy and explain why

Step 3

Create Feel-Good Toolbox

10 minutes

  • Distribute Feel-Good Toolbox Template and art supplies
  • Instruct students to decorate their toolbox and draw or write three self-care strategies inside
  • Circulate and prompt ideas: deep breaths, stretching, talking with a friend, drinking water

Step 4

Share & Reflect

5 minutes

  • Invite volunteers to show their Feel-Good Toolbox and describe one strategy they picked
  • Ask: “When will you use this strategy during our school day?”
  • Encourage students to keep their toolbox at their desk and practice self-care when they need a break
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Worksheet

Feel-Good Toolbox Template

Today you get to create your own Feel-Good Toolbox! This toolbox will remind you of special self-care strategies you can use when you need a break or when you want to feel calm and happy.

1. Decorate Your Toolbox

Draw or color your toolbox below. Make it bright and fun!











2. My Self-Care Strategies

Inside your toolbox, draw or write three self-care strategies you can use. Think about things like taking deep breaths, stretching, talking to a friend, or drinking water.

  1. Strategy #1: ____________________________





  2. Strategy #2: ____________________________





  3. Strategy #3: ____________________________





3. When Will I Use My Toolbox?

Finish this sentence and draw a picture of you using your toolbox:

When I feel _________, I will use my toolbox by ____________.











Great work! Keep this toolbox at your desk and use your strategies whenever you need a little feel-good boost. You are a self-care superhero!

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My Self-Care Adventure • Lenny Learning