Lesson Plan
Play Day! Using Our Skills
Students will actively demonstrate positive social-emotional skills including identifying emotions, communicating kindly, sharing, taking turns, and problem-solving during group play.
Practicing these skills in a fun, real-life setting helps students internalize them and build stronger, happier friendships. This lesson helps students build confidence in their social interactions.
Audience
Kindergarten Students
Time
15 minutes
Approach
Through guided free play with various toys, students will apply and practice key SEL skills.
Materials
Various age-appropriate toys (blocks, cars, dolls, art supplies), Play Day! Using Our Skills Slide Deck, Teacher Script: Play Day!, and Cool Down: How Did We Play?
Prep
Gather Materials & Review Lesson
10 minutes
- Gather a variety of age-appropriate toys (e.g., blocks, cars, dolls, art supplies).
* Review the Play Day! Using Our Skills Lesson Plan, Play Day! Using Our Skills Slide Deck, Teacher Script: Play Day!, and Cool Down: How Did We Play? to familiarize yourself with the activities and discussion points.
Step 1
Warm-Up & Set the Stage (2 minutes)
2 minutes
- Begin by displaying the Play Day! Using Our Skills Slide Deck on the first slide.
* Follow the Teacher Script: Play Day! to introduce the 'Play Day!' and remind students of the skills they've learned: emotions, kindness, sharing/taking turns, and problem-solving.
* Ask students to quickly recall one skill they are excited to practice today.
Step 2
Guided Free Play (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Distribute the toys evenly among the small group.
* Explain that during this play time, the goal is to practice all the skills we've learned.
* Circulate among the students, observing their interactions.
* Intervene as needed to prompt skill use:
* Emotions:
Step 3
Guided Free Play (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Distribute the toys evenly among the small group.
* Explain that during this play time, the goal is to practice all the skills we've learned.
* Circulate among the students, observing their interactions.
* Intervene as needed to prompt skill use:
* Emotions:
Step 4
Guided Free Play (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Distribute the toys evenly among the small group.
* Explain that during this play time, the goal is to practice all the skills we've learned.
* Circulate among the students, observing their interactions.
* Intervene as needed to prompt skill use:
* Emotions:
Step 5
Guided Free Play (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Distribute the toys evenly among the small group.
* Explain that during this play time, the goal is to practice all the skills we've learned.
* Circulate among the students, observing their interactions.
* Intervene as needed to prompt skill use:
* Emotions:
Step 6
Guided Free Play (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Distribute the toys evenly among the small group.
* Explain that during this play time, the goal is to practice all the skills we've learned.
* Circulate among the students, observing their interactions.
* Intervene as needed to prompt skill use:
* Emotions: "I see you're frowning, [Student Name]. How are you feeling right now? What could you say?"
* Kindness: "That was a kind thing to say, [Student Name]! How did that make your friend feel?"
* Sharing/Turns: "It looks like both of you want the red car. What's a way you could share or take turns?"
* Problem-Solving: "Hmm, you both want to build with the same blocks. What ideas do you have to solve this problem?"
* Encourage positive peer interactions and verbally acknowledge when students use the skills effectively.
Step 7
Cool-Down & Reflection (3 minutes)
3 minutes
- Gather students and present the Cool Down: How Did We Play?.
* Ask students to share one way they used a skill today or observed a friend using a skill.
* Reiterate the importance of using these skills every day when they play and interact with others.
Slide Deck
Play Day! Using Our Skills
It's time to play and practice being awesome friends!
Welcome students to Play Day! This is a fun opportunity to use the skills they've learned.
Our Super Skills!
Recognize Emotions: How are we feeling? How are others feeling?
Communicate with Kindness: Use nice words and a gentle voice.
Sharing is Caring! We Take Turns: Everyone gets a chance.
Problem-Solving: Think of solutions when things get tricky.
Remind students of the skills they've covered in previous weeks. Point to each one as you say it.
Let's Play and Practice!
Time to put our super skills into action!
Remember to:
- Think about feelings!
- Use kind words!
- Share and take turns!
- Solve problems together!
Transition to the play activity. Encourage them to remember and use their skills.
Script
Teacher Script: Play Day! Using Our Skills
Warm-Up & Set the Stage (2 minutes)
(Display Play Day! Using Our Skills Slide Deck - Slide 1)
"Good morning, super friends! Today is a very special day. It's Play Day! And guess what? We get to use all the amazing social-emotional skills we've been learning together while we play!"
(Display Play Day! Using Our Skills Slide Deck - Slide 2)
"Remember our super skills? We learned about Emotions – how we feel inside and how others feel. We talked about Communicating with Kindness – using nice words and gentle voices. We also learned that Sharing is Caring! We Take Turns so everyone gets a chance. And if things get a little tricky, we use our Problem-Solving skills to find a way to make it better!"
"Who can tell me one skill you are really excited to practice today during our play time?"
(Allow one or two students to briefly share.)
Guided Free Play (10 minutes)
(Display Play Day! Using Our Skills Slide Deck - Slide 3)
"Alright, fantastic! Now, it's time to put our super skills into action. I have a variety of fun toys for us to play with today. I'm going to give each of you some toys, and your job is to play nicely and remember to use your skills."
(Distribute toys evenly among the group. Circulate and observe, intervening with prompts as needed.)
(When you see a student looking upset or frustrated)
"[Student Name], I notice you look a little sad/frustrated. How are you feeling right now? What could you say to your friend about how you're feeling?"
(When you see a kind interaction)
"Wow, [Student Name]! That was such a kind thing to say/do for [Other Student Name]. How did that make your friend feel? That was great Communicating with Kindness!"
(When two students want the same toy)
"It looks like both of you would like to play with the [toy]. What's a way you could Share or Take Turns so both of you get to play? What are your ideas?"
(When a small conflict arises)
"Hmm, it seems like there's a little Problem here. You both want [X]. What ideas do you have to Solve this so everyone is happy and can keep playing? Let's try to think of two ideas."
(Praise positive skill usage)
"Excellent Sharing, [Student Name]!"
"Thank you for using your words so Kindly, [Student Name]!"
"Great Problem-Solving, everyone!"
Cool-Down & Reflection (3 minutes)
(Gather students, put toys away. Display Cool Down: How Did We Play?.)
"Alright, my wonderful players, let's bring it in. I saw so many amazing examples of you using your super skills today!"
"Can anyone share one way you used a skill today, or something kind or helpful you saw a friend do?"
(Allow 2-3 students to share.)
"That's wonderful! Remember, these skills aren't just for our special Play Day. We use them every single day when we play with our friends, at home, and in school. Keep practicing being kind, sharing, understanding feelings, and solving problems, and you'll be the best friends ever! Give yourselves a pat on the back!"
Cool Down
Cool Down: How Did We Play?
Let's Think About Our Play Day!
-
What was one way you used a super skill today? (Like sharing, using kind words, or solving a problem?)
-
What was one kind thing you saw a friend do today?