Fun Social Emotional Activities for Preschoolers

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Having emotional intelligence and being able to regulate ones own emotions are critical skills to introduce throughout preschool years. With my social emotional activities for preschoolers, children of all ages will learn how to be a good friend and problem solving skills in a fun and hands on way.

As educators and caregivers, we understand the profound impact that nurturing social and emotional skills can have on young children’s lives. It’s not just about academics; it’s about equipping them with the tools they need to navigate relationships, regulate emotions, and make positive choices.

Social-emotional learning lays the groundwork for a lifetime of healthy relationships and emotional well-being. At the preschool age, children are like sponges, absorbing everything around them. By providing them with opportunities to explore emotions, understand social cues, and practice empathy, we’re setting them up for success in all areas of life.

Keep reading to discover my favorite social skills activities, social stories, and free printable social emotional learning resources to make implementation a breeze in the classroom or at home.

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Free Social Emotional Activities for Preschool Kids

When it comes to laying the foundation for a child’s social development, there’s nothing more vital than social-emotional learning. With my fun SEL activities specifically designed to nurture the social and emotional skills of preschoolers, your students will be introduced to the basics of social skills in an appropriate way.

From understanding emotions to navigating social interactions and making positive choices, these social emotional activities for preschoolers are created with the unique needs and developmental stage of preschool kids in mind. Keep reading to grab these free sel activities and begin fostering empathy, emotional intelligence, and resilience in your little learners through engaging and interactive printables.

Good Choices vs. Bad Choices Cut and Paste Sort

Our first activity focuses on helping preschoolers differentiate between good choices and bad choices in various scenarios. Instead of simply lecturing them on what’s right and wrong, this hands-on activity encourages critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Preschoolers will be presented with a set of scenarios, each depicting either a good choice or a bad choice. With your guidance and maybe a little role play, they’ll cut out the images and sort them into two categories: good choices and bad choices. This free sel activity not only teaches them about consequences but also empowers them to think for themselves.

Good Choices and Bad Choices Coloring Activity

Next up, we have a coloring activity with a twist! Instead of mindlessly coloring pictures, preschoolers will be tasked with identifying good choices and bad choices as they color.

Armed with their crayons, they’ll work through a series of scenarios, coloring the good choices green and bad choices red. This creative approach not only reinforces the concept of making positive decisions but also makes learning fun and interactive.

Count and Color Different Emotion Pictures

Last but certainly not least, we have an activity that explores emotions – a fundamental aspect of social-emotional learning. This activity combines counting and coloring to teach preschoolers about different feelings and expressions.

Using our printable emotion pictures sheet, you’ll guide your little ones through a discussion about various emotions. From happy and sad to excited and angry, they’ll learn to recognize and label different feelings. Then, they’ll count how many times each emotion appears on the sheet and color them accordingly. This activity not only promotes emotional literacy but also reinforces early math skills.

More Social-Emotional Learning Activities for Kids

Are you looking for more engaging and fun social-emotional activities for preschool-age children? If so, keep reading to discover my favorite art activities and crafts to teach social emotional development.

Bucket Filler Craft

Looking for a heartwarming and hands-on activity to promote kindness and empathy in your preschool classroom or at home? Look no further than my Bucket Filler Craft activity!

This adorable craft not only sparks creativity but also instills valuable lessons about positive emotions and filling each other’s buckets with kindness. With easy-to-follow instructions and printable templates, children can personalize their own bucket filler characters, complete with colorful buckets and uplifting messages. As they assemble their crafts, they’ll learn the importance of showing kindness, appreciation, and positivity towards others.

Whether used as a classroom project or a fun family activity, the Bucket Filler Craft is sure to leave a lasting impression on young hearts, fostering a culture of kindness and empathy in every interaction.

Emotion cards Playdough Mat

Explore feelings and expressions in an interactive way with my emotions playdough mat! In this fun activity, children will select an emotion card and bring it to life on the blank face playdough mat. Whether they’re feeling happy, sad, excited, or curious, each emotion is an opportunity for creativity and self-expression.

As they mold and shape the playdough to match the facial expressions on the cards, children not only strengthen their fine motor skills but also develop a deeper understanding of emotions and empathy. This hands-on approach to emotional learning makes the Emotions Playdough Mat a perfect addition to any preschool classroom or home environment.

Social Stories For Teaching Big Emotions

Check out our collection of the best social-emotional stories for kids. A social story inspires empathy, kindness, and resilience, guiding young readers on a journey of self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

These five social-emotional books not only entertain but also empower children to navigate their emotions and relationships with confidence and compassion.

• The Color Monster: A Pop-Up Book of Feelings by Anna Llenas
• In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek 
• Listening with My Heart: A Story of Kindness and Self-Compassion by Gabi Garcia 
• The Invisible String by Patrice Karst 
• Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud 

Social Emotional Games for Kids

If you’re looking for a variety of interactive activities to create empathy, teamwork, and emotional intelligence in young learners you’ve come to the right place. From cooperative board games to imaginative play, these engaging games provide invaluable opportunities for younger children to develop powerful tools that are essential for emotional regulation.

Matching Game

This memory match game from hand2mind offers a fun and educational way for kids to explore emotions and develop memory skills. With colorful cards featuring different emotions, children can engage in a challenging yet enjoyable activity that encourages emotional awareness and cognitive development. This would be perfect to include during your next morning meeting or as a fun circle time activity.

Board Games

Using this classic game of bingo as a social-emotional activity provides an interactive way for children to identify and express their feelings while learning valuable communication skills. Through gameplay, kids can navigate various scenarios and emotions, fostering empathy and emotional intelligence in an engaging and enjoyable manner.

Wrapping Up My Favorite Social-Emotional Activities

And there you have it – five fantastic social emotional activities for preschoolers! By integrating these activities into your daily routine, you’re not just teaching academic skills; you’re nurturing the whole child.

Social-emotional learning is a journey, and it’s essential to approach it with patience, consistency, and empathy. These activities are just the beginning. There are countless ways to incorporate social-emotional learning into your preschooler’s day-to-day life.

We hope you’ll give these activities a try with your little ones and see the positive impact they can have. Don’t forget to download your free printable resources and share your experiences with us in the comments below!