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Mental, Emotional, and Social Health

Kindergarten - Grade 3

Overview

Children in kindergarten may have a difficult time identifying and expressing emotions. They may know they are mad or sad but may not yet have the self-awareness to recognize more complex feelings such as embarrassment, shame, frustration, or disappointment (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning [CASEL] 2017). According to the five competencies of CASEL (2017), with respect to social awareness, students in kindergarten to grade three are learning how to interact with others and how to recognize the feelings and needs of self and others, although empathy is not yet fully established. Students can learn to identify feelings of self and others, begin to identify and define what mental health is (compared to physical health). Children learn that mental wellness is important so they are ready to learn. Connect mental health to physical health; in children, mental health conditions such as depression/anxiety may manifest with physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, or changes in sleep. At this young age, children are developing their relationship skills through interactions with others. Responsible decision-making provides students with opportunities to make many decisions as age and developmentally appropriate throughout the day at school as compared to prior years when parents, guardians, or caretakers may have made most of the decisions for the child.

Information and Resources

The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)

CASEL’s mission is to help make evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL) an integral part of education from preschool through high school.

 

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The image displays the logo for %22SEL%22, which stands for %22Educating Hearts, Inspiring Minds%22. The logo features a blue and white design with puzzle piece-like shapes, conveying a sense of education, learning, and inspiration.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) provides comprehensive information and resources for people living with mood disorders.

 

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The image displays the logo of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, featuring the abbreviation %22BSA%22 and the number %223%22 in a vibrant color scheme of blue, white, and pink.

KidSmartz - National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

KidSmartz is a child safety program that educates families about preventing abduction and empowers kids in grades K-5 to practice safer behaviors.

 

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The image features the text %22Kid Smartz%22 in a stylized font, with a paper airplane icon next to it. The background is a plain white color.

Model School Library Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (internet safety) (CDE 2011)

School Library Standards for Students incorporate information literacy skills. Students learn to access, evaluate, use, and integrate information and ideas found in print, media, and digital resources.

 

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The image shows the cover of a book titled %22Model School Library Standards for California Public Schools Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve%22 against a blue background with various graphic elements.

Zones of Regulation

The Zones of Regulation is a framework and resources designed to foster self-regulation and emotional control.

 

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Colorful text spelling out %22ZONES OF REGULATION%22 against a plain background.

The California Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids Project for Elementary - Child Mind Institute

These elementary-age videos feature friendly characters and imaginative stories to teach key mental health skills in a way that kids will enjoy watching and remember longer.

 

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The image displays the logo of the Child Mind Institute, which features a stylized silhouette of a child's head against a blue and teal background.

Curriculum and Lessons

BAM Resources (Mental Health and Hygiene for ages 3-8) - CDC

This unit has information on the mental health, development, and hygiene of school age children. Topics include bullying, anxiety and depression, stress and coping, and sleep, hand and oral hygiene.

 

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The image features a large red apple-like shape with the text %22BAM! BODY AND MIND%22 prominently displayed, along with the text %22Classroom Resources for Teachers%22 below.

Book List

Kindergarten - Grade 3

The image depicts a colorful and whimsical children's book cover featuring a white owl surrounded by various other owls in vibrant colors against a starry night sky background.

The Little White Owl

by Tracey Corderoy (2013)

The image depicts a close-up of a young boy's face with a furrowed brow and a serious expression, set against a bright red background with the title %22When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry...%22 written above.

When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry

by Molly Bang (2014)

The image depicts a fantasy scene with a green dragon, a deer, and a person in the foreground, set against a vibrant autumnal landscape.

Lucky Horseshoes: A Children’s Book Dealing with ADHD - Iris the Dragon series

by Gayle Grass (2008)

The book cover features a young girl reaching up towards a falling star, with a dragon-like creature in the background and a title %22Catch a Falling Star%22 along with the author and illustrator's names.

Catch a Falling Star - Iris the Dragon series

by Gayle Grass (2008)

The image depicts a group of children playing golf on a grassy field, with a dog and other animals in the background, and the title %22Hole in One%22 prominently displayed.

Angry Octopus: An Anger Management Story

by Lori Lite (2011)

The image depicts a colorful book cover titled %22I Can Fix It!%22 featuring a diverse group of people in the foreground and a background with various illustrations.

I Can Fix It!: A Children’s Book Dealing with Asperger’s Syndrome and Stigma - Iris the Dragon series

by Gayle Grass (2008)

The book cover features a lively illustration of two young boys playing sports, with the title %22He Shoots! He Scores!%22 prominently displayed above them.

He Shoots! He Scores!: A Children’s Book Dealing with Child and Youth Mental Health Challenges and Stigma - Iris the Dragon series

by Gayle Grass (2008)

The cover of the children's book %22Angry Octopus%22 features a vibrant underwater scene with a large, angry-looking octopus surrounded by colorful marine life and a mermaid-like figure.

Angry Octopus: An Anger Management Story

by Lori Lite (2011)

A vibrant and whimsical illustration depicts a playful dolphin swimming amidst a colorful underwater scene, accompanied by a cheerful crab and the text %22Affirmation Weaver: Believe in Yourself%22.

Deep Breathing or Affirmation Weaver: A Believe in Yourself Story

by Lori Lite (2008)

The image depicts two green frogs, one larger and one smaller, sitting on a brown surface with a white background. The title %22It's Mine!%22 is prominently displayed above the frogs.

It’s Mine!

by Leo Lionni (1996)

The Great Big Book of Families features a colorful and diverse collection of illustrations depicting various family structures and activities.

The Great Big Book of Families

by Mary Hoffman (2010) (English)

The image depicts the cover of a book titled %22El Gran Libro de las Familias%22 (The Big Book of Families), featuring illustrations of diverse families engaged in various activities.

El Gran Libro De Las Familias

by Mary Hoffman (2010) (Spanish)

The image depicts a diverse family, including a smiling older man, two young girls, and a small dog, all surrounded by a colorful border with the text %22Families are different%22 written above.

Families are Different

by Nina Pellergrini (1991)

The image depicts a colorful and vibrant illustration of a street scene, featuring a bus, various people, and a sign that reads %22Last Stop on Market Street%22. The background includes a coin and a medal, suggesting themes of transportation, community, and recognition.

Last Stop on Market Street

by Matte de la Pena (2015)

The image depicts a book cover titled %22Mango, Abuela, and Me%22 featuring an elderly woman and a young girl interacting with a colorful parrot.

Mango, Abuela, and Me

by Meg Medina (2017)

The image depicts a colorful children's book cover featuring a young boy and the title %22Is There Really a Human Race?%22.

Is There Really a Human Race?

by Jamie Lee Curtis (2006)

A young boy with dark hair is gazing up at a large yellow balloon with the text %22My Yellow Balloon%22 written on it, set against a vibrant blue and yellow background.

My Yellow Balloon

by Tiffany Papageorge (2014)

The image depicts a young boy gazing up at a large yellow balloon with the title %22Mi globo amarillo%22 (My yellow balloon) written on it, set against a bright blue background.

Mi Globo Amarillo

by Tiffany Papageorge (2014)

The image depicts a young girl with red hair embracing a white dog in a field of colorful flowers, with the book title %22You Are the Best Medicine%22 prominently displayed.

You Are the Best Medicine

by Julie Aigner Clark (2010)

The image depicts a colorful and whimsical illustration of a pot of %22Tear Soup%22 with various ingredients and a checkered border surrounding it.

Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss

by Pat Schwiebert and Chuck DeKlyen (2005)

The image depicts a young girl with curly hair in the foreground, surrounded by colorful illustrations of women in the background.

Asha’s Mums: Respecting Differences

by Rosamund Elwin and Michele Paulse (1990)

A cheerful white cat wearing a red and white polka dot dress stands in the foreground, with the word %22YOKO%22 prominently displayed above it against a purple background.

Yoko

by Rosemary Wells (2009)

The image depicts a yellow armchair with a polka-dotted cushion, and a small, white character sitting on it, against a bright blue background.

Something Else

by Kathryn Cave (1994)

The image depicts two penguins, one larger and one smaller, standing in a snowy, mountainous landscape with a crescent moon and a golden sun in the background.

And Tango Makes Three or Tres con Tango

by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell (2015)

The image depicts two cartoon frogs sitting together in a lush, green forest setting, with the title %22Frog and Toad Are Friends%22 prominently displayed above them.

Frog and Toad Are Friends

by Arnold Lobel (2003)

The image depicts a blue juice box with the title %22The Juice Box Bully%22 written on it, along with the subtitle %22Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others%22. The background is a bright yellow color.

The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up to Others (2010)

by Bob Sornson and Maria Dismondy

Classroom Activities

Rows of yellow chairs and desks in a colorful, organized classroom setting.
  • ​Use age-appropriate mind puzzles with texture.
  • Create a poster with a bug, “When something is bugging me, I can _____________.”
  • Create a class quilt to demonstrate sharing.
  • Host a Kindness Week at school.
  • Make cards for senior citizens.
  • Decorate placemats for Meals on Wheels recipients.
  • Host a food drive.
  • Organize donations for a local children’s hospital/shelter.
  • Use emotional charts to identify emotions.
  • Have students journal.
  • Use jump ropes to explore examples of flexible boundaries.
  • Participate in anti-teasing/bullying campaigns.
  • Participate in No Name Calling Week Campaign in January. 
  • Participate in Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month during May. 

Partnerships

A simple black house icon on a white background.

Partnering with the Family

  • Working with their family, students create a handmade book using pictures and writing to describe the characteristics of their family and the ways the family promotes empathy, care, and the well-being of others. 
  • Provide parents and guardians with resources and activities to support students socio-emotional development at home. Example: draw or color different emotional states.
  • Students create a poster of three ways they plan to help at home and show responsibility as a family member. Under each goal students will create a weekly calendar to track their progress.
A black graduation cap with a tassel is displayed against a plain white background.

Partnering with your School

  • Invite the principal, school counselor, or social worker to share how to identify trusted adults at home and at school who can help with mental and emotional health concerns. 
  • Invite a school counselor or school psychologist to discuss identifying and expressing feelings of self and others, anger management, emotional regulation, coping skills, effective communication, and “I feel” messages. 
  • Kindness initiatives 
  • Promote anti-bullying by creating a school wide puzzle piece mural with a slogan like “We All Fit In Here”.
The image depicts a simple black silhouette of a person with an oval-shaped head and five smaller oval shapes surrounding it, suggesting a group or team.

Partnering with your Community

  • Service activities: Make cards for seniors, decorate placemats for Meals on Wheels recipients, create artwork to donate to a local children's hospital, participate in food drives, donate old toys and books to a shelter. 
  • Introduce students to community resources to help them with mental health challenges. 
  • Host a campus-wide awareness event for Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month in the first week of May.