Welcome to Kindness, Feelings and Friendship! This free course is a gentle introduction to social emotional learning for kids. In six short lessons, children learn to name their feelings, calm down when feelings get big, make and keep friends, share and take turns, fix mistakes, and spread kindness every day.
Understanding feelings is just as important as learning letters and numbers. Children who can say how they feel and know what to do with big emotions often find it easier to play, learn and get along with others. Every lesson uses simple words, everyday stories and an easy activity to try at home or in class.
What you will learn
- Name common feelings like happy, sad, angry, worried and excited
- Use simple calm-down tools such as belly breathing
- Be a kind and caring friend
- Share, take turns and work as a team
- Say sorry and help fix a mistake
- Make a personal kindness plan
Who this course is for
This course is for children from Kindergarten to Grade 2 (about ages 5 to 8). It works well for families, classrooms and small groups.
A note for parents and teachers
Read each lesson aloud and pause often to ask, “Has this ever happened to you?” Share your own feelings too, because children learn a lot by watching adults. All feelings are okay; it is what we do with them that matters. This course offers everyday skills and is not a replacement for professional support. If a child seems worried or sad for a long time, or tells you something that concerns you, please talk with their teacher, school counsellor or doctor.
What you need
Paper, crayons and a quiet, comfortable space. The last lesson is a project to create a kindness plan and a kindness chart.