Incorporating social-emotional learning into the classroom equips students with lifelong skills that maximize academic potential, foster mental wellness, and develop resilience. Whether it’s handling peer conflict, bouncing back from failure, or staying focused during a test, social-emotional learning gives students the tools they need to thrive both in and out of school.
The good news? There are free, high-quality social-emotional learning activities and resources available that are easily adaptable for classroom instruction and home use. Whether you're a teacher, school leader, or parent, these tools can help you integrate meaningful experiences into daily routines.
1. The Five Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Core Competencies (+ Teaching Lessons) - Understand the necessary skills to instill in children and teens to help them grow into emotionally resilient individuals who can thrive in a fast-paced, competitive world.
2. How to Integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in the Classroom? - Classroom strategies that promote social-emotional growth nurture children that doesn’t only care about academic progress but also about the value of interpersonal connections, emotional resilience, and self-improvement, all of which are core competencies for real-world success.
3. What is Social and Emotional Development? (A Complete Guide) - Positive social and emotional development benefits all areas of a child, as well as their parents, teachers, and community. With social-emotional intelligence, children foster better relationships as they get older.
4. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Standards in All 50 States - Find out what social-emotional goals and competencies each state in the United States expects to develop in their students.
5. What is Social and Emotional Intelligence? - Social-emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and manage our own emotions, while also being able to understand and influence the emotions of others.
6. What is SEL? Social-Emotional Learning Defined & Explained - Foster social-emotional learning at home or in school. To begin, understand what it means and how to develop social-emotional skills in learners.
7. A Guide for Parents: 5 Strategies to Help Uncover Natural Talents in Children - Talents are natural or learned abilities that must be nurtured for personal expression or to contribute to society. Supporting children's talents strengthens their self-awareness, self-concept, and resilience, all of which are key factors for healthy well-being.
8. 10 Proven Strategies for Teaching Students with ADHD - Using proven social-emotional learning strategies to teach students with ADHD supports focus, self-regulation, and confidence, which help them improve their intellectual and social-emotional health.
9. A Beginner's Guide to Social-Emotional Learning for Adults - Not all children had their social-emotional intelligence nurtured early on. Fortunately, social-emotional learning continues into adulthood. Support adults in rediscovering and strengthening their self-concept with this SEL guide for adults.
10. Social-Emotional Development: Preschool Students - Social-emotional development needs to be nurtured as early as possible to build a strong foundation for children's well-being, healthy relationships, and lifelong learning. Early support in this area helps children develop essential skills such as emotional regulation, empathy, communication, and problem-solving.
11. Social and Emotional Intelligence: An Introductory Guide - Learn what social-emotional intelligence is for students, children, and adults, and why it is important for growth, success, and happiness. This guide is ideal for parents and educators who want to maximize their learners' potential and increase their chances of real-world success.
12. Circles of My Multicultural Self - This activity helps students reflect and understand what affects their values, thoughts, and perspectives.
13. Purpose Compass - Students learn to create a meaningful connection with themselves by finding their purpose through enhancing their skills, helping others, and caring for the world.
14. What Is Digital Citizenship - Help students not to lose themselves in the myriad of profiles online and to strengthen how they view themselves by learning about their digital footprint and citizenship.
15. Contemplative Writing - Contemplative writing is a good activity for children and teens to reflect on and assess themselves, improve their self-concept, and develop self-awareness by writing their thoughts on paper.
16. Confidence and Self-Esteem for 11-18 year olds - There are many factors that contribute to a young person’s confidence and self-esteem. Learn about them and guide teenagers on how they can feel good about themselves by taking control of these experiences.
17. Mirror Mirror on the Wall - An activity for preschoolers to develop an understanding of themselves and a positive self-image.
18. Teaching Self-Awareness: 5 Effective Activities - Self-awareness is the ability to assess one's own thoughts, actions, and feelings, and reflect on them to understand and improve one's own behavior. Developing this competency in children helps them recognize their emotions, strengths and weaknesses, talents, and manage themselves.
19. 50 Positive Affirmations for Kids - Encourage children to practice positive self-talk every day and help them build their confidence for a strong, resilient self-concept.
20. Emily Quill's Story - A read-aloud story about the uniqueness and self-love, teaching children to be their own person and believe in themselves.
21. Strategies to Support Student Reflection - Applicable in the classroom or at home and perfect for kids and teens, these simple strategies can help children practice self-reflection about their academic or skill-building progress.
22. Understanding Thoughts for High School Students - Sometimes, a person's own thoughts can be their own enemy. Help teenagers deal with overthinking and negative thoughts with this film featuring real high school students and their experiences. Learn about negative thoughts, managing their thoughts, and changing their thoughts for the better to improve their social-emotional well-being.
23. Character-Building for Kids - Introduce what good character means and instill good character in children with this educational film. Good character raises socially and emotionally intelligent children who thrive at home and in school.
24. Your Character Is More Important than Your Grades - Discover the real-world effects of having good character in academic and real-world success in this Ted Talk film for high schoolers. In this talk, high school students realize that good character enhances social-emotional skills necessary to be globally competent.
25. My Powerful Thoughts, Actions, and Feelings
- In this lesson, children learn about the human behavior process and discover how to healthily manage their thoughts and actions to improve their feelings about themselves.26. Gratitude Stories - Read stories to children about gratitude to nurture their appreciation for the little things, learn to express thankfulness, and improve their emotional wellness.
27. Breathing Exercises for Kids - Help children conquer their overwhelming feelings and regain their focus by teaching them mindful breathing.
28. Anger Management Worksheets - Choose the appropriate lesson to help children manage their anger among these free downloadable resources.
29. Tucker Turtle Takes Time to Tuck and Think - Equip children with the turtle technique to help them manage their big feelings and act thoughtfully on positive decisions.
30. Strengths Chain Activity - Create a strengths chain to help children physically see the number of talents and skills they have and improve their confidence.
31. 100 Happiness Activities for Students, Groups, and Adults - Promote happiness in the classroom or at home with these fun activities. Fill children’s memories with happiness that will improve their self-concept and strengthen their self-belief.
32. Play-based Learning Opportunities for Children - Playing is a significant part of children’s social-emotional development. It teaches them to observe others’ emotions, manage their feelings, and act out self-management.
33. My Body Can - Improve children’s body image with this activity. Body image is a person’s perspective on their appearance, which can affect a person’s self-concept and ability to care for themselves.
34. Mindfulness Squeeze Exercise - A mindfulness squeeze exercise allows children to regain their focus and emotional wellness. This is a great strategy to teach to help them manage their thoughts and overwhelming emotions healthily.
35. Influencers Activity - Influencers are people or things that influence a person’s decision-making, especially on their health habits or money management. In this activity, children learn to distinguish positive and negative influences on health and improve their body image by following positive models and a healthy lifestyle.
36. The Benefits of the Six Sustainable Happiness Skills - Middle school and high school students learn how to cope and address the many stresses that influence their thoughts and actions by developing these happiness skills.
37. Mindfulness Activities for Kids and Teens - Cultivate emotional regulation and self-awareness with these fun mindfulness activities for kids and teens.
38. Coping With Grief Resources - Help children move forward from grief and live healthy lives with these free resources.
39. A Time I Felt Grateful - Help children appreciate what they have and practice gratitude through self-management. Being grateful is an exercise of positive thought management that focuses on the good and improves emotional well-being.
40. A Song of Gratitude - Immerse children in the different ways that gratitude can be expressed through this heartfelt song of gratitude. Reinforce self-management and being grateful as a positive action that brings happiness and success.
41. We All Teach SEL: Humility Activities and Tools for Students - Humility encourages students to recognize their strengths without arrogance and to acknowledge their limitations without shame. It promotes a growth mindset that cultivates emotionally resilient individuals who can get along well with others, are open to new perspectives, and are capable of learning from their mistakes.
42. Gratitude Exercises to Cultivate a Grateful Mindset - Students with a gratitude mindset are more likely to act with integrity and care, as they are aware of how their actions affect others and value the contributions around them. Additionally, students who notice the good in their lives maintain emotional balance, mental wellness, and healthy self-concept.
43. SEL for Students: Emotion Regulation - Children who can regulate their emotions are better equipped to handle everyday challenges such as frustration, disappointment, or conflict. Instead of reacting impulsively, they learn to pause, reflect, and choose appropriate responses.
44. Calming Cards and Calming Catcher - Knowing when to calm supports self-management, helping students stay focused, manage frustrations, and respond thoughtfully.
45. All About Me Project - Help middle school children understand themselves better through writing and art expression with this activity.
46. You Be You - A read-through to the book "You Be You" for middle school children, which teaches the valuable lesson of how learning about yourself and staying true to who you are leads to great possibilities and meaningful self-discovery.
47. Awe Journal - In this article on positive mind hacks for kids, the Awe Journal is a great activity to help kids focus on the happy moments and appreciate the small beauties of everyday. When feeling down, children can train their thoughts to be positive when they read back or write in their awe journal.
48. It's Alright, It's Okay - This children's story imparts a valuable lesson on how to manage difficult emotions, such as sadness or grief, especially in the context of relocating to a new home.
49. The Angry Little Dinosaur - A short story for children 4-6 years old. It introduces children to the feeling of anger and how it is an emotion that everybody, regardless of age, feels. In this story, they learn how to healthily express their anger.
50. Money Word Problems - Second graders learn how to identify cents and bills in this fun money word worksheet.
51. Counting Money Worksheets - The first step in managing money is learning how to count money. This fun worksheet helps 3rd graders count, word, add, and shop money in their currency: dollar, peso, rupee, euro.
52. Budget Worksheet for Teenager + How to Guide - Prepare teenagers for real-world success starting with a budgeting lesson. Use this guide and worksheet to help children manage their finances better.
53. Managing Worries and Anxiety Rap for Kids - Get hooked on this fun hip-hop song about managing thoughts and worries for middle schoolers and younger students. Through a fun, catchy song and an interesting story, children learn simple strategies to manage and ease their worries.
54. 5 Ways to Cope With Anxiety - During teenage years, children begin to feel overwhelmed with responsibilities and preparations for their future. They begin to feel the pressures of reality and start to worry about decisions. To prevent a cycle of anxiety, teach them simple coping strategies to manage their worries with this insightful article.
55. Deep Breath Song - Listen to this catchy kids' song on how to cope healthily when feeling overwhelming emotions, such as anger and worry.
56. Managing Feelings and Emotions - Children who know how to manage their feelings well grow up to be resilient individuals. Equip them with the right strategies to develop their social-emotional intelligence with this informative film.
57. Facing Your Fears - This sample lesson helps students healthily manage their fears and increase their confidence.
58. Managing Intense Emotions for High School - Teens can feel very intensely, and when overwhelmed, they could act on their feelings in unhealthy ways. Inspire healthy emotion expression and teach healthy emotion management with this film about teenagers discussing their real experiences and management strategies.
59. Helping Kids Express Their Emotions - Feelings can get overwhelming and confusing, especially for kids who are experiencing them for the first time. This guide can help them express their emotions positively.
60. Understanding Feelings for Middle School Students - Listen to middle school students discuss their feelings and allow your middle school children to feel that they are not alone. From this film, middle school kids learn how to understand their emotions and better express them positively, as well as manage them when their feelings get intense.
61. Emoji Mood Tracker - Helps students understand, recognize, and express how they are feeling healthily.
62. Self-Control - Teach children how to manage their thoughts and actions with this lesson on self-control. Being able to stop and think before acting is a social-emotional skill that allows children to practice and cultivate decision-making and critical thinking.
63. How to Cope with Feelings of Jealousy - It is common for teens to feel overwhelming emotions such as envy or jealousy as this age provides them an opportunity to discover themselves, and most of the time, they try to learn about themselves through others. Envy and jealousy are normal emotions that everybody goes through, but it's important to learn how to manage them positively and be happy for others and oneself.
64. The 5 Strategies for Resilience - Middle school children learn about what resilience is and how to develop it for themselves and their self-concept with these five strategies.
65. Developing Resilience - Help young kids understand the meaning of resilience and how to practice it when things get tough.
66. Being Responsible - Prepare elementary students for the real world as early as possible by instilling responsibility. Responsible behaviors empower children to make positive choices, take care of themselves, help others, and work toward their goals.
67. Household Chores for Teens - Strengthen teens’ responsible behavior at home with these chore ideas. Taking care of the home together as a family fosters children's cooperation skills, accountability, and independence.
68. Teaching Self-Regulation Skills: A 3-Step Approach - Self-regulation is the ability that empowers children to manage their thoughts, actions, and feelings, enabling them to bounce back after a setback, handle overwhelming emotions healthily, and resist impulsive behaviors.
69. Teaching Self-Management Skills - When a child develops this self-management skills, they learn how to handle their emotions healthily, bounce back from setbacks, and manage their time and resources, which are all important abilities to thrive at home, work, and in life.
70. 8 Time Management Tips for Students - The saying "Time is gold" never gets old, as it remains true that time is a valuable resource that never returns and so, should not be wasted. Wasted time is also wasted opportunities. Develop students' time management skills to help them maximize their potential.
71. Practice Being a Good Sport - Good sportsmanship teaches students how to handle both winning and losing with grace, promoting resilience and a positive mindset. When individuals celebrate others’ successes and accept their own setbacks calmly, they build meaningful relationships.
72. 3 Conflict Resolution Strategies for Kids - Demonstrate how to positively work problems with this video about classroom conflict resolution. Teach kids how to handle conflicts with their classmates and maintain healthy relationships.
73. Make Believe Mediation - Teach high school students to handle conflicts like a pro through practice and fun activities, like the Make Believe Mediation game. In this resource, explore other conflict resolution games and promote healthy relationships.
74. Guess the Feeling Game - Develop children's empathy by teaching them to recognize emotions with this fun, colorful, interactive online game called "Guess the Feeling."
75. Step Forward If... Game - Perfect for teaching empathy, this simple game teaches children and adolescents that others feel the same way as them, so treating others the way they want to be treated is a positive action that creates meaningful, lasting connections.
76. Jimmy and Steve Are Friends - This heartwarming short story teaches kids the power of "Hello" and friendliness in creating meaningful relationships.
77. Practice Fairness with Math - With mathematical demonstration, these activities help children learn about fairness and how being fair makes games more fun and meaningful, and how it makes friendships stronger.
78. Effective Active Listening - A guide to help adolescents learn how to listen intently when in conversation with others, in any setting: school, workplace, or with friends.
79. 20 Evidence-based Social Skills Activities and Games for Kids - Choose some or try all of these fun evidence-based activities to improve the social skills of kids, such as empathy, social awareness, fairness, and more!
80. Empathy Circle Game - A game that strengthens empathy, cooperation, communication, and fairness. This resource is complete with materials, from the guide to the board and markers.
81. Caterpillar Race - A fun game to promote and practice cooperation with kids. In this quick, simple game, children learn the importance of working together to achieve their shared goal.
82. Carry the Load - In this set of activities, Carry the Load helps teens to work together and adapt to each other's strengths and weaknesses in order to win.
83. Social Intelligence Test - This social intelligence test allows participants to assess their ability of reading emotions from facial expressions. Trying out this test can help students practice their social intelligence and reinforce the importance of social awareness.
84. Love Lessons for the Whole Family - Family relationships influence children's self-concept. Learning about love and healthy family relationships can instill a valuable lesson in children about treating others the way they want to be treated and self-love.
85. Find Ten Things in Common. - A fun friend-making game for kids and adults in any setting: home, school, or the workplace. Learning about each other's interests is the first step in turning acquaintances into friends. Friendliness, or getting along with others, is a social skill that enhances a person's social-emotional intelligence.
86. Peek-A-Who and More - In this set of games, children can practice their social skills by practicing their friendliness toward their peers and by playing together.
87. Making Friends - This set of activities for secondary students helps them easily make friends, belong, and adjust to a new environment when they move from one home or school to another. Social skills help improve mental health and take care of emotional well-being.
88. The Giving Jar and More - Nurture kids' generosity and help them grow with a love for helping by teaching them to give and share as early as possible. With this set of activities, children learn to think about others, share what they have, and ultimately develop empathy, compassion, and generosity.
89. Pass the Ball and More - Develop teenagers' social skills with this set of activities to help them create meaningful connections, grow resilient, and be willing to lend a helping hand.
90. Lesson on Sportsmanship - Being a good sport encourages kindness, cooperation, and fairness, values that contribute to healthier social interactions and a more supportive learning environment.
91. Kindness and Respect Guidance Lesson - This sample lesson is helpful to introduce and discuss the concept of kindness and respect to children. Here, children can learn the difference between playful teasing and hurtful teasing, and are taught about how to respect themselves and others.
92. Kindness Is My Superpower - Let kids follow through with this story of Teddy, who learned about the power of kindness, empathy, and compassion.
93. Peer Pressure - Peer pressure is a normal experience, especially for children and teens, as they feel the need to adjust themselves in a way that will help them belong. Peer pressure could be positive or negative, so it's important to teach children how to be true to themselves while having good relationships with others.
94. How to Handle Peer Pressure - Peer pressure can be positive or negative. When influenced by positive peer pressure, consequences lead to satisfaction and happiness. For example, a child could get good grades or practice kindness. But negative peer pressure can be a bad influence on children, especially if they are not knowledgeable about how to handle peer pressure. Teach them how with this informative resource.
95. Activities to Encourage Children to Share - Teach sharing and turntaking to young children. These simple positive actions nurture their social skills, which help them get along well with others.
96. Respect and Take Care of Things by Cheri J. Meiners - One valuable social-emotional skill for children to develop is respect for possessions, as it reflects their care for others. When children learn to take care of shared possessions, they become easier to trust with things, and they cultivate the ability to build positive relationships.
97. Respect for All - Respect maintains positive relationships, prevents conflicts or addresses them healthily, and provides children with a sense of belonging. Instill respect in children to help them get along well with others and thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.
98. Sportsmanship - Develop character in middle school students with this lesson on sportsmanship, which is a positive behavior exhibiting fairness, compassion, and kindness toward others.
99. 4 Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support Strategies - Discover positive behavioral interventions and support strategies that address aggressive physical behavior and emotional outbursts, and promote social-emotional growth.
100. 5 Best Trust Building Activities, Exercises, and Games - Suitable for high school and adults, these activities for trust-building teach the importance of trust and trustworthiness, which are social and emotional skills for self-honesty and self-management.
101. How to Follow Rules - Life Skills for Kids - Following rules is a social-emotional ability that develops children's responsible behavior, self-management, and accountability. Children who can follow rules practice good self-control, smart decision-making, and thoughtful behaviors.
102. 6 Behavior Management Strategies for Your Classroom - Practice and develop students' ability to follow rules through behavior management strategies. With this guide, students can establish a routine, create rules together, and observe positive social behavior toward their teachers and classmates. This guide can also be customized to be applied at home and involve children from elementary to high school.
103. What Is Physical Bullying and How to Prevent It? - One of the SEL core competencies is relationship skills, which encompass empathy, emotional intelligence, and social awareness. Prevent bullying from happening by instilling important social skills in students and improving their self-concepts.
104. Positive Reinforcement in the Classroom - Build students' positive self-concept through effective positive reinforcement in the classroom. When students feel good about themselves, they become self-aware and motivated to make positive choices that benefit their physical, intellectual, social, and emotional well-being.
105. Teaching Strategies for Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders - Create an inclusive classroom where social-emotional well-being thrives with these teaching strategies. Help students with emotional and behavioral challenges learn and socialize comfortably, and develop self-confidence and healthy self-concept.
106. Encourage Friendship and Social Play - Friendship fosters respect, empathy, and caring, and it prevents bullying, violence, and aggression. Friendly behaviors foster a sense of belonging in children, nurture their social skills, and enhance their overall well-being.
107. High School Team Building Activities - Foster positive communication and collaboration through team-building activities. As students work together to solve problems or achieve a common goal, they develop empathy by understanding different perspectives and learn to manage conflict in healthy, respectful ways.
108. The Big Book of Conflict Resolution Games - Conflict resolution is an essential life skill that builds connection, healthily addresses problems, and improves social well-being. With this skill, a person is equipped to thrive personally, academically, and in their careers.
109. The Power of Positive Affirmations - Teach children, teens, and adults that they hold the power to improve their self-concept and mindset through positive affirmations. Positive affirmations are a practice of positive thinking and mindset rewiring that motivates children and teens to recognize and believe in their own potential, empowering them to challenge themselves and learn.
110. The Art of Compliment - Practice social-awareness and positive communication by developing the art of complimenting others. Complimenting others is a way of friendliness, respect, and positive reinforcement that helps an individual to feel good about themselves and helps others improve their self-confidence.
111. If I were a leader for a day... - A worksheet that inspires children to lead, care for others, and think of creative solutions for the home, school, and community.
112. It Takes Teamwork - Develop leadership and strengthen teamwork with this activity that prepares students for their dream careers.
113. Your Guide to Safety for Your Teenage Children - Teenagers are naturally curious and eager to explore, which can sometimes lead them toward risky behaviors. Supporting safe exploration allows teens to satisfy their sense of adventure while building good judgment, confidence, and lifelong skills.
114. Body Image and the Media - Shape positive body image and healthy self-concept by teaching children the difference between a real healthy body and the perfect body depicted by the media.
115. Thirteen Brain Health Hacks to Increase Happiness - Things don’t always go our way, and negative thoughts are inevitable. Teach students these brain hacks to improve their mental well-being, refocus their minds, and get back on track.
116. Every Body - Teach body positivity in this read-aloud story for kids. Instill healthy habits and self-care for overall wellness.
117. Mind-Body Connector - Identify where emotions manifest in the body and help students recognize and understand their feelings. Processing emotions healthily reduces mental clutter, allowing better concentration and problem-solving. Body awareness also relieves headaches, muscle tension, and improves energy levels.
118. Brain Games for "Focus Power": A Set of SEL Kernels Practices - These games specifically target executive functions such as focus, memory, and cognitive flexibility, which are essential for academic success and problem-solving.
119. Take Care of Self -Reflecting on and identifying personal strategies for caring for the mind, body, and heart helps students develop a deeper understanding of their emotions, health, and mental wellness.
120. 5 Logic Riddles That Will Bend Your Brain - This video features logical riddles for middle school children that will help them exercise their brains and enhance their problem-solving skills.
121. All Aboard - A fun activity for all ages that encourage problem-solving.
122. Moon Ball - A simple problem-solving activity that encourages a group of people to work together in order to succeed
123. A Checklist for Making Faster Better Decisions -Help adolescents practice and improve their decision-making skills with this checklist.
124. Decision-Making and Problem-Solving: A Class Activity - Try this activity in your classroom to help middle school and high school students practice healthy decision-making and take care of their overall well-being.
125. 5 Activities to Help Kids Make Choices - Develop your child's social skills and self-awareness with this set of activities that can enhance their strategies for making positive choices.
126. How to Develop Critical Thinking Skills in 7 Steps - Teach high schoolers the importance of critical thinking and how to improve it with this comprehensive guide.
127. 74 Interesting Debate Topics for Kids of All Ages and Grade - Practice and improve critical thinking skills through a fun, insightful debate. In this article, inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and analytical thinking with these interesting topics that keep the conversation going.
128. Self-Care Habits for Kids - Teach children that taking care of themselves is a way to love themselves.
129. Self-Care Tips for High Schoolers - Teach high schoolers how to show themselves love through self-care habits.
130. 8 Minute Morning Exercise for Kids - Help kids boost their focus and improve their physical health with this fun morning exercise routine.
131. High School Scavenger Hunt - Promote physical exertion through a fun scavenger hunt, which not only exercises the muscles but also the brain!
132. Meal Planning - Teach kids about good nutrition to keep their bodies healthy and strong with this simple lesson about meal planning.
133. Mastering Mindful Eating - Teach high school children about healthy, mindful eating using these informative activities and engaging short films.
134. Take Charge of Your Health: A Guide for Teenagers - Teenagers learn about energy, healthy eating, physical exercise, good sleep, and more with this guide made for them.
135. Healthy Habits for Life - Engage children with this fun resource of lessons, songs, and activities for creating healthy habits!
136. Six Ways to Teach Substance Use Prevention to Elementary School Children - Start prevention early and help children live their lives to the fullest by teaching them about the dangers of harmful substances to the physical, intellectual, social, and emotional health.
137. Medicine and Harmful Substance Safety for Kids - This helpful resource of lessons, activities, and guides instills healthy decision-making and harmful substance safety for kids. With this material, they become aware of the harm of misusing substances, and they learn strategies for how to properly use medicines with the help of adults.
138. The Health Impacts of Youth Vaping - Discuss and learn more about the dangers of vaping through healthcare professionals and young people who are recovering from vape use. This informational film can help address curiosity about vaping and help adolescents make healthy decisions.
139. Visual Brain Teasers - Make time for brain exercise with these brain teasers perfect for elementary and middle school children. Improve their brain health and other essential cognitive skills.
140. 1x5 Strategy - Creative thinking enhances decision-making, problem-solving, and memory skills. Encourage creative thinking with this game.
141. Continue the Story - Exercise children's and teens' imagination and creative thinking with this game. Allow them to come up with their own story endings or imagine consequences based on the events of the beginning narrative.
142. Flower Clock and More - Practice arts and crafts to engage children's creativity. Choose an appropriate art to create in this fun selection of creative pieces.
143. Writing Prompts for High Schoolers - Beat writer's block or just practice writing skills. Encourage high schoolers to write down their ideas on paper with these writing prompts.
144. Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers - Middle school children can develop or discover a writing talent, or just have fun with imagination through writing stories with these writing prompts.
145. Writing Prompts for Kids - Writing stories, poems, or songs is a talent or skill that can be developed at an early age. This talent or skill enhances a child's cognitive flexibility, sharpens memory, and strengthens critical thinking skills. Exercise children's brain abilities with these writing prompts.
146. Critical Analysis and Information Literacy - As adolescents consume more and more information online, it is critical for them to learn how to filter through factual information from fabricated information.
147. Fake or Fact - Teach children and teens how to evaluate fake from factual information. Evaluating correct information is a practice of critical thinking, which is a positive action for the brain!
148. Adolescents and Day to Day Decision-Making - Teach adolescents the importance of their decisions to the outcome of their day and their overall self-concept.
149. Health is Wealth Games - Try these interactive online games for kids that teach about healthy eating, dental care, hygiene care, emotion expression, and many more!
150. Personal Hygiene for Kids - Keep children safe, healthy, and happy by teaching them to take care of their bodies and minds with personal hygiene habits.
151. Choices Are My Superpower - Follow the story of Lucas to help children learn about the importance of making choices and discover the concept of consequences. Teaching students about choices and consequences improves their decision-making, problem-solving, and analytical thinking skills.
152. Life Is About Choices and Choices Have Consequences - This advanced lesson for high schoolers combines the concept of actions and consequences and financial decision-making, teaching them a practical lesson on making intentional actions and thoughtful decisions. Developing these crucial life skills will set them up for success in the future, personally, academically, and professionally.
153. Critical Thinking Skills and Examples for Kids - Critical thinking is an essential life skill that improves cognitive function. Enhancing this skill early helps children assess their own thoughts, weigh their choices, and take positive actions that can serve them well in the future.
154. A Stepwise Approach to Critical Thinking - Actions, decisions, consequences: these all begin with a thought. Developing critical thinking strengthens children's ability to make positive decisions and maintain healthy habits.
155. Five Ways to Fuel Teens' Curiosity - Encouraging curiosity in teens sparks their desire to learn and explore. It fosters critical thinking, boosts creativity, and cultivates a lifelong love for knowledge and growth.
156. Kids' Q&A: What Does It Mean to Be Curious - Spark children's love for learning by engaging their curiosity. In this resource, children answer what being curious means. Ask children to define what curiosity is and let them ask questions. Asking questions is the first step to learning and discovery!
157. How to Teach Students with Dyslexia - Cultivate social-emotional growth in students of all learning needs! Help students with dyslexia enjoy learning and feel more confident with these strategies. When their needs are met, their self-concept improves and their overall well-being is nurtured.
158. Responsible Decision-Making - Responsible decision-making is one of the core competencies of SEL. It empowers students to make thoughtful choices by evaluating consequences and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others.
159. Sleep Lesson Plans for Students - Sleep is a person's way of recharging and gaining their health back after a day of activities. Without enough sleep and rest, a person, especially children and teens, can disrupt their body's rejuvenating process. As a consequence, their bodies feel weaker, their moods are irritated, and their minds lack focus. For some, their physical health suffers, and they experience headaches, muscle cramps, and more.
160. How to Listen to Your Body - Human beings find it easier to take care of other people and notice others' physical health needs than their own. As early as now, teach children to listen to their bodies and take care of their own physical health by learning to recognize when they need rest or when they need to eat healthier. The ability to listen to their own bodies is a great social-emotional skill that ensures self-management, positive behaviors, and healthy habits.
161. Listening to My Body by Gabbi Garcia - This story for kids teaches how to listen to one's body and health needs. Children are taught how to recognize the sensations their feeling, the emotions they are going through, and what their body needs, such as hunger or thirst. Teaching this important lesson empowers kids to consult their parents when they are feeling sick or different than normal. It also allows them to determine their feelings, so they can react and manage their emotions well and healthily.
162. Developing and Maintaining Healthy Routines - Promote a healthy lifestyle to students by teaching them how to develop and maintain healthy routines for eating, sleeping, exercising, socializing, and more!
163. 3 Strategies to Bridge the Gap in Unfinished Learning - Unfinished learning makes it difficult for students to adapt to higher grade levels, which also leads to learned helplessness. Bridge the gap in unfinished learning and help students feel confident, reduce their frustration, and foster their resilience.
164. How to Promote a Reading Culture in Schools - Reading enhances vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking, all of which are crucial for intellectual health, academic success, and lifelong learning. Beyond intellectual benefits, reading also introduces diverse perspectives, developing empathy and understanding of human social experiences.
165. 10 Ways to Promote Artistic Expression - Artistic expression makes way for imagination, creativity, and problem-solving to grow. It also helps children to recognize, manage, and express their feelings and emotions in a healthy way.
166. Tips for Preventing Substance Abuse - SEL builds the internal strengths, like resilience, confidence, and emotional regulation, that protect young people from engaging in substance use. With these important skills, young people can maintain a healthy habit and follow the following tips to prevent substance use.
167. What You Need to Know About Drugs for Kids - Protect children from the dangers of substances by teaching them the harm of substance misuse and abuse. With this guide, children learn about dangerous drugs and how to avoid them.
168. How to Pique Curiosity in Teen Learners - Strengthen teens' curiosity and love for learning by piquing their interest.
169. Invention Challenge and More - Encourage curiosity in children as it strengthens imagination, love for learning, and the ability to invent. Try these fun social-emotional learning activities to fuel children's curiosity and help them thrive.
170. Emotions and Self-Awareness - In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, the ability to understand and manage one's emotions not only contributes to personal well-being but also strengthens relationships, enhances decision-making, and supports lifelong learning and growth.
171. Identifying strengths and weaknesses - A set of social-emotional learning activities that teaches how everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Each activity has a set of discussion questions, helping students recognize their skills and identify their areas for improvement.
172. Setting Smart Goals Activity - Teaches students how to strategically set and achieve goals.
173. Vision Board for Kids: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide - An activity that keeps children's dreams and goals alive. A vision board helps children stay motivated and true to the work they want to put in or are already doing.
174. Little Ones Have Beautiful Dreams - A read-aloud story that teaches children the magic of dreams and how it creates the path to success. In this story, children also learn about the importance of asking for help, persisting, being courageous, and improving themselves to achieve their dreams.
175. Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset - Suitable for all ages, this set of examples guides children in self-assessment and helps them identify their mindset. By recognizing their current mindset, children are better equipped to shift their perspective and approach challenges with greater resilience and openness.
176. Best Failure - Best Failure is an activity that works for kids and teenagers alike. It allows them to shift their mindset to a positive, healthy one. By understanding failures as a second chance to try again and learn again, children can view challenges and setbacks as opportunities to grow instead of perceiving them as hindrances.
177. Confidence and Self-Esteem for 11-18 year olds - In this article, teens learn the importance of confidence and self-esteem on self-belief, which powers the ability to conquer difficult tasks and daily challenges.
178. Boost Courage in Kids - Choose from this list of social-emotional learning activities for kids the best for your children or students. Instill in them the sparks of courage and help them achieve their dreams!
179. 7 Ways Parents Can Help Their Teens Make the Best Career Choices - Support children and teens in their ambitions and aspirations by guiding their career preparations and goal-setting. When young people have a clearer understanding of their goals, they are more likely to stay motivated, make informed choices, and develop the skills necessary for future success.
180. Community Activities and Volunteering - Aside from providing teens with a sense of belonging and purpose that empowers their self-awareness and confidence, helping out at the community improves their social skills, social awareness, and communication skills. It also provides them with opportunities and experiences that strengthen their responsibility and accountability.
181. I Won't Give Up - Listen to this inspiring story that teaches children the value of persistence. Persistence is a powerful and positive trait that encourages individuals to keep trying, even when faced with difficulties or setbacks.
182. I Can Do It - Introduce the concept of determination and perseverance to young children as early as possible, so they can develop independence naturally. With this simple but reinforcing story, young children can learn that they can do many things as long as they believe they can, even if not perfectly.
183. How to Foster Self-Motivation in High School - Motivation makes learning more meaningful and exciting. More importantly, it drives a person to improve and work on themselves. Without it, the desire to be better becomes weak. Spark students' motivation with this guide.
184. How to Make a To Do List that Really Works - Teach children and teenagers how to achieve their dreams intelligently by strategically setting goals and completing their to-do lists.
185. 5 Ways to Stop Procrastinating - It is common for many to procrastinate, especially for teenagers. To help them better manage their time and accomplish their tasks, there are five strategies they can build into their routine to avoid putting off work and have more time for personal interests.
186. Honesty and Integrity - Try this advanced activity for high school students to teach them honesty and integrity, which are necessary skills for thriving at home, in school, and work!
187. Honesty Dice Game - Self-awareness and self-improvement are not possible without self-honesty and integrity. Instill honesty in children with this activity, which reinforces the value of telling yourself and others the truth.
188. Taking Initiative - Taking initiative is a social-emotional competency that makes dreams come true, solves problems, and invents. With this activity, inspire students to take initiative and improve their self-concept.
189. How Do You Bounce Back from Setbacks - Progress toward a goal comes with highs and lows. To have the strength to move forward, a person must learn how to bounce back from a setback. Resilience is a critical part of a success story. Help children grow into perseverant adolescents to ensure their emotional well-being in the future.
190. Bouncing Back from Setbacks - This wordless yet educational short film teaches elementary and middle school children to keep pushing through setbacks and not to let negative thoughts take over their minds when problems occur. This film teaches a valuable lesson on resilience, perseverance, and goal setting.
191. The Hugging Tree: A Story About Resilience - In this heartwarming, metaphorical story, children learn about the power of resilience in facing and overcoming life challenges and setbacks.
192. The Key to Independence: 8 Life Skills for Teens - Age alone doesn’t guarantee real-world success; it’s the skills developed over time. Help teenagers develop these skills and become independent to thrive in life.
193. Five Essential Life Skills for Kids - Life skills are crucial for elementary children as they foster independence and develop problem-solving abilities, setting the foundation for academic success, healthy relationships, and future well-being.
194. 5 Skills Teens Need in Life - Set teenagers up for success with these skills that help them learn, discover, and create optimally. With these abilities, teenagers learn to be more independent, solve problems on their own, and healthily evaluate information.
195. Career Readiness: What It Is and Why You Need to Teach It - Prepare students for success in the workplace and in life with foundational social-emotional skills.
196. Time to Be Great - In this motivational film, middle school and high school learners discover how powerful their thoughts can be in transforming their lives and themselves for the better.
197. A Million Dreams - The song offers a powerful message about hope, imagination, and determination—qualities that are deeply connected to social-emotional growth and self-improvement.
198. Come on Kid, This Is Your Dream - In this motivational film, children hear a powerful talk about working on their dreams, holding on to their visions, and persisting through challenges for the realization of the promise they made for themselves.
199. Overcoming Obstacles - Overcoming challenges requires deep emotional strength, resilience, and the willingness to adapt. It's not about pretending that the pain or difficulty doesn't exist—it's about acknowledging it, facing it, and choosing to grow in spite of it.
200. Good Energy - Wake up your body, boost your energy, and get ready to take on the day with purpose and positivity.
201. College Admissions: Planning the Future - When students begin thinking about their future early on, they develop a clearer sense of direction. Early planning allows students to set goals and make informed decisions.
202. How to Stay Motivated - This educational film talks about the psychology behind motivation in terms of control. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on what a person can control to maintain motivation. To stay motivated, children must learn to take ownership of their actions and decisions.
Academic excellence alone isn’t enough to prepare students for success in school and beyond. The ability to manage emotions, build healthy relationships, make responsible decisions, and demonstrate empathy are just as critical as reading, writing, and math.
Invest in more than just grades, invest in students' hearts and minds. When we nurture social and emotional skills, we don’t just prepare students for the next test, we prepare them for life!
