Early Childhood Mental Health Lesson Plan for Preschool Class38

Objective: To promote children's mental health and well-being by introducing concepts of self-regulation, empathy, and positive coping mechanisms.

Materials:
Pictures of different emotions (happy, sad, angry, scared)
Mirrors
Play-Doh or clay
Calming music

Procedure:1. Opening Activity: Feeling Wheel (10 minutes)
* Show children pictures of different emotions and ask them to identify the feeling on each picture.
* Discuss how these emotions might feel in their bodies.
* Create a "feeling wheel" on a large piece of paper, with each section labeled with an emotion.
2. Self-Regulation Exercise: Breathing Calmingly (15 minutes)
* Guide children to sit comfortably on the floor or in chairs.
* Instruct them to place their hands on their tummies and breathe slowly and deeply through their noses.
* Encourage them to follow the rhythm of your voice as you guide them through breathing exercises.
* Play calming music in the background to create a relaxing atmosphere.
3. Calming Sensory Activity: Play-Doh Feelings (15 minutes)
* Provide children with Play-Doh or clay and ask them to create objects or shapes that represent how they are feeling.
* Encourage them to use different colors and textures to express their emotions.
* If a child is struggling, offer suggestions or guide their hands gently.
4. Empathy Exercise: Mirror Me (15 minutes)
* Have children sit facing each other in pairs with a mirror in between them.
* Instruct one child to make different facial expressions and gestures while the other child imitates them.
* Encourage them to try expressing different emotions and noticing how the other child responds.
5. Positive Coping Mechanisms: Sharing Stories (15 minutes)
* Gather children in a circle and invite them to share stories about times when they felt strong or happy.
* Encourage them to talk about how they coped with challenging situations.
* Emphasize the importance of seeking help from trusted adults when needed.
6. Relaxation and Reflection (10 minutes)
* Dim the lights, play calming music, and guide children through relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or visualization.
* Ask them to close their eyes and imagine a peaceful place or activity that makes them feel calm and happy.
7. Closure (5 minutes)
* Review the concepts of self-regulation, empathy, and positive coping mechanisms.
* Encourage children to practice these skills in their everyday lives.
* Provide them with resources or suggestions for parents or caregivers to continue supporting their mental health.