SEL Activities & Teaching Guides for Preschool and Kindergarten

Social-emotional learning helps children understand feelings, build routines, cooperate with others, and develop confidence. These simple guides and printables support emotional awareness, self-regulation, friendship skills, and positive classroom behavior through gentle, developmentally appropriate practice.

What Is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)?

What Is SEL?

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) teaches children how to understand feelings, communicate their needs, build relationships, and make positive choices. SEL is an essential part of early childhood development and supports children both inside and outside the classroom.

Why SEL Matters

Children who develop strong SEL skills are better able to manage big emotions, follow routines, work with peers, and solve problems. SEL also strengthens communication, empathy, confidence, and the ability to build friendships — all skills young learners need for lifelong success.

How to Support SEL in Early Childhood

SEL grows through consistent routines, modeling, picture cues, and simple activities that help children name feelings, practice kindness, and make choices. Worksheets and printables provide structure for learning emotions, identifying behaviors, and reinforcing social skills in a gentle, visual way.

What Are Routines and Why Do Children Need Them?

What Are Routines?

Routines are predictable patterns in a child’s day — such as morning arrival, cleanup time, circle time, and transitions. Routines give children structure, safety, and a sense of what comes next.

Why Routines Matter

Consistent routines help children build independence, reduce anxiety, follow classroom expectations, and manage big emotions. When children know what to expect, they feel more secure and are better able to focus, participate, and cooperate with others.

How to Teach Routines

Use visual schedule cards, picture prompts, and simple SEL worksheets that show step-by-step routines. Practice routines regularly, model each step, and use positive reinforcement. Keep instructions clear and predictable so children can succeed with confidence.

What Are Feelings?

Feelings are the emotions children experience in response to situations around them — such as happy, sad, angry, scared, excited, or frustrated. Learning to identify emotions is an important part of early development.

Why Understanding Feelings Matters

Children who can identify their emotions are better able to communicate their needs, build friendships, manage frustration, and make positive choices. Recognizing feelings is the first step toward self-regulation and empathy.

How to Teach About Feelings

Use picture cards, SEL worksheets, books, and simple drawings to help children name emotions. Talk about feelings during daily routines and use mirrors, role-play, or puppets to model emotional expression. Keep discussions gentle and supportive.

What Is Cooperation?

Cooperation is the ability to work with others, share materials, take turns, and participate in group activities. It’s an important social skill that helps children build friendships and function successfully in a classroom setting.

Why Cooperation Matters

Children who cooperate can resolve conflicts more easily, follow routines, communicate their needs, and engage positively with peers. Cooperation supports emotional regulation, problem-solving, and classroom community.

How to Teach Cooperation

Model cooperative behavior during group activities. Use simple games that require turn-taking, SEL worksheets that show cooperative choices, partner activities, and visual reminders. Praise cooperative behavior and narrate teamwork when you see it.

What Is Self-Regulation?

Self-regulation is a child’s ability to manage emotions, follow directions, and control impulses. It includes staying calm, waiting for a turn, and handling frustration in appropriate ways.

Why Self-Regulation Matters

Children with strong self-regulation can participate in group activities, solve conflicts, and stay focused during learning tasks. It supports academic growth, classroom behavior, and positive relationships.

How to Teach Self-Regulation

Use calm-down visuals, breathing strategies, emotion charts, and SEL worksheets that show appropriate choices. Model self-regulation through language (“I feel frustrated, so I’m taking a deep breath”). Practice during real moments throughout the day.