Emotions Lesson Plan (SEL): Emotional Regulation & Calming Strategies

Help your little ones become emotional detectives with this engaging Emotions Lesson Plan! Through playful activities and visual storytelling, children discover how to spot feelings in themselves and their friends. They'll craft personalized calming cards packed with soothing strategies, turning tricky emotions into teachable moments.

Real-life emotion posters spark meaningful circle-time conversations while your quiet corner becomes a cozy retreat for self-regulation. Perfect for preschool classrooms or home learning spaces, this resource builds confident, resilient kids who understand their feelings and know what to do when emotions run high. A must-have for every preschool classroom!

What's Included

• Naming Emotions Lesson Plan: A 30-book list and discussion-question recording sheets
• Emotion Cards: 12 emotion cards and 24 emotion matching cards
• Emotion Matching Mats: 6 mats with 24 matching emotion coins
• "I Spy" Emotions Coloring Sheets: 6 coloring sheets
• Body Awareness: "How Do I Feel?" poster and How Does My Body Feel? lesson plan with discussion-question recording sheets
• "When I Feel ___" Worksheets: 12 worksheets for reflecting on emotions
• Emotion Flowers Sorting Mats: 6 mats with 36 petals, plus an Emotion Flower poster
• "What Makes You Feel ___?" Lesson Plan: Includes discussion-question recording sheets
• Calming Strategies Lesson Plan: Includes discussion-question recording sheets
• Calming Cards: 24 calming cards plus a blank template for personalizing
• Sun Shape Breathing Posters: 5 posters (circle, square, triangle, star, and heart)

Learning Benefits

• Emotional awareness: Naming and identifying feelings in themselves and others
• Self-regulation: Calming strategies and personalized calming cards
• Breathing techniques: Guided breathing with the sun shape breathing posters
• Vocabulary and discussion skills: Structured circle-time conversation questions
• Sorting and matching: Emotion coins and matching card activities

Important Digital Details

• Instant Download: Access your file immediately after purchase. No physical items will be shipped.
• Print and Prep: For best results, print on cardstock and laminate for rugged, daily classroom use. Print discussions, instructions and worksheets on standard 8.5" x 11" paper.
• Usage Policy: Licensed for personal use or a single classroom only.