Emotion Explorers Teacher Guide Preschool SEL Small Group Facilitation (Ages 3–5)
Emotion Explorers Teacher Guide
Session Blueprint · 15–20 Minutes · 1–2 Students · Frequency: 2–3x Weekly
Core Objectives
Identify 4 core emotions • Regulate with breath • Practice turn-taking
Materials Needed
Hand mirror (child-safe)
Feeling Faces Cue Cards
Soft beanbag or plush star
Crayons & Activity Sheet
Skill Targets
Facial & body cue naming
Flower & Pinwheel breathing
"My turn, your turn" cueing
Comfortable emotional sharing
Co-Regulation Tip
Match their energy level initially, then gently bring cadence down through your vocal tone and steady breathing.
Step-by-Step Session Flow (15–20 Minutes)
1
Warm-Up Welcome & Feeling Meter (3–4 mins) Circle Ritual
Sing the welcome chant together: "We are explorers, kind and bright, ready to help our hearts feel right!" Hand child the safe mirror.
Teacher Script: "Look into the mirror! Make your biggest smile. That is Happy! Now make a quiet, soft face. Today we are emotion detectives."
2
Body Clues Detective Game (4–5 mins) Emotion Recognition
Show the 4 core feeling cue cards: Happy (Yellow) , Sad (Blue) , Mad (Red) , and Calm (Green) .
Teacher Script: "When Maya feels mad, her hands make little fists and eyebrows go down like this (model). Where does your body feel mad? In your tummy? In your hands?"
3
Sensory Calming Tool: Flower & Pinwheel (4 mins) Self-Regulation
Teach tactile breathing with hands. One hand holds an imaginary flower, the other holds a pinwheel.
Teacher Script: "Smell the sweet flower through your nose... 1, 2, 3! Now blow the pinwheel gently through your mouth... whoooosh. Feel how calm your tummy gets."
4
Turn-Taking Game: "Pass the Star" (4–5 mins) Social Skills
Use a soft beanbag or plush star. The person holding the star shares one thing they like or shows a face.
Teacher Script: "When Leo holds the star, Leo has the floor. When Leo passes the star to Mia, Mia says 'Thank you, friend!' It is Mia's turn."
Emotion Explorers • Preschool Social-Emotional Learning Page 1 of 2
Support Strategies & Progress Monitoring
Preschool small-group modifications and ongoing skill documentation
Practitioner Resource
For Hesitant or Non-Verbal Students
Visual Pointing: Allow child to touch the feeling card or point to the emotion face rather than naming aloud.
Prop Proxy: Offer a puppet or stuffed animal so the child speaks "through" the toy.
Mirror Modeling: Sit beside the child rather than opposite, looking together into the mirror.
For Impulsive or High-Energy Students
Tactile Heavy Work: Offer a weighted lap pad or allow child to do three wall-pushes before sitting.
Visual Turn Timer: Use a 30-second liquid sensory motion timer to show when passing occurs.
Gross Motor Modulation: Stomp feet loud for "Mad", then tip-toe softly for "Calm".
When a Child Has a Meltdown or Big Emotion During Group
1. Connect First
"You are safe. I see you are very upset right now. I am right here with you." (Lower posture to eye level).
2. Name the Feeling
"Your body has a lot of big energy. That feels scary/mad. Let's take one gentle breath together."
3. Co-Regulate
Do not force participation. Offer the calming squeeze star and allow the child to rest quietly alongside.
Weekly Skill Progress Tracker
Key: I = Introduced • P = With Prompt • M = Mastered
SEL Skill Indicator Child A: ______ Child B: ______ Notes & Growth Observations Names Happy, Sad, Mad [ I / P / M ] [ I / P / M ] Identifies facial clues in mirror/cards Notices Body Tension/Signals [ I / P / M ] [ I / P / M ] Points to tummy, hands, or brow Participates in Flower Breath [ I / P / M ] [ I / P / M ] Inhales nose, exhales mouth Passes Object During Turn Game [ I / P / M ] [ I / P / M ] Waits without grabbing for 15+ sec Chooses Calming Tool when Upset [ I / P / M ] [ I / P / M ] Selects plushie, breath, or teacher hug
2-Minute Closing Ritual: Have children place hands on heart, take one collective pinwheel breath, and give each other a high-five or fist-bump: "Great team work today, Emotion Explorers!"
Emotion Explorers • Preschool Social-Emotional Learning Page 2 of 2
Emotion Explorers Slides Preschool Feelings Club
Small Group SEL
🌟 😊 💛 🌈
Emotion Explorers!
Let’s explore our feelings, listen to our bodies, and learn calming tricks together!
👀 Look at Faces
•
🫁 Take Deep Breaths
•
🤝 Take Turns Kindly
The Four Big Feelings
Emotion Spotting
😄
Happy
Smiling cheeks & bright, open eyes!
😢
Sad
Frowning lips & quiet body energy.
😠
Mad
Brows squished & tight little fists.
😌
Calm
Soft shoulders & slow, steady breath.
👉 All feelings are normal and okay to feel!
Body Clue Detectives
Listening Inside
👀
Your Face
Do your eyebrows pinch down or smile wide?
💓
Your Heart & Tummy
Is your heart beating fast or slow and quiet?
✊
Your Hands
Are hands curled up tight or resting open?
🔍 Practice: Put your hand on your tummy. How does it feel right now?
Calm-Down Breathing Magic
Self-Regulation
🌸
Step 1 • Inhale
Smell the Flower
Breathe in gently through your nose for 1... 2... 3...
💨
Step 2 • Exhale
Blow the Pinwheel
Blow out softly through your mouth: whooooosh!
✨ Magic trick: Your brain feels safer and happier with every breath!
The Sharing Star: Taking Turns
Social Skills
⭐
Holding the Star
"It's My Turn!"
I talk, share my feeling, or choose an activity.
👀 👂
Waiting for the Star
"It's Your Turn!"
My eyes look, my ears listen, and my hands rest patiently.
🤝 When we take turns, everyone has fun and feels heard!
🙌 ⭐ 💖
Super Emotion Explorers!
You learned your feelings, used your calming breath, and practiced sharing!
Explorer High-Five Ritual:
"I know my feelings. I can be calm. I am a great friend!"
Emotion Explorers • Session Wrap-Up See you next session! 🌟
Feeling Faces Cue Cards Preschool SEL Manipulative
Feeling Faces Cue Cards
Cut along dashed lines • Laminate for repeated small-group use
YELLOW
😊
HAPPY
"I feel sunny inside!"
Face Clues:
Mouth smiles upward, eyes crinkle bright, relaxed eyebrows.
Body Clues:
Light bouncy energy, loose shoulders, warm tummy.
💡 Share the joy: High-five a friend or give a big smile!
BLUE
😢
SAD
"I feel like a rainy cloud."
Face Clues:
Mouth corners turn down, eyes look down, heavy eyelids.
Body Clues:
Heavy body, quiet voice, lump in throat, tears.
💡 Calm helper: Ask for a gentle hug or hold a soft stuffed toy.
RED
😠
MAD
"My engine is too hot!"
Face Clues:
Eyebrows squished together, tight lips, staring eyes.
Body Clues:
Fists squeezed tight, fast heartbeat, stomping feet.
💡 Calm helper: Do 3 Flower Breaths & push palms together.
GREEN
😌
CALM
"My body feels safe and quiet."
Face Clues:
Soft gentle mouth, smooth forehead, relaxed gaze.
Body Clues:
Slow breathing, resting hands, ready to play and learn.
💡 Ready to share: Give a friendly wave and join play!
Emotion Explorers • Visual Cue Cards Page 1 of 2
Sensory Regulation Tools
Calming Strips & Feeling Meter
Cut into horizontal strips • Keep on student table or desk
Strip A: Rainbow Calming Finger-Trace
Trace with your index finger
START 👉 Breathe IN
🌈 Trace up and over slowly...
FINISH ✨ Breathe OUT
"Finger goes up the rainbow: smell the sweet flower. Finger slides down: blow out the birthday candle!"
Strip B: Starfish Hand-Breath Guide
5 Calming Breaths
👆
Thumb
In & Out
👆
Pointer
In & Out
👆
Middle
In & Out
👆
Ring
In & Out
🌟
Pinky
Emotion Detectives Activity Sheet Emotion Explorers • Student Sheet
Emotion Detectives Activity
Name:
Date:
Part 1: Draw the Feeling Faces
Add eyes, eyebrows, and a mouth!
Make a Happy Face
Draw a big smiling mouth & bright eyes
💛 "I feel happy when I play with blocks!"
Make a Calm Face
Draw soft resting eyes & a gentle mouth
🌿 "I feel calm after a deep breath!"
Part 2: Connect the Clue with a Line!
😄 Happy Face
• • • • • •
Big Bright Smile ✨
😠 Mad Body
• • • • • •
Tight Fists ✊
😢 Sad Moment
• • • • • •
Needs a Soft Hug 🧸
Emotion Explorers • Student Practice Sheet Page 1 of 2
Part 3 • Self-Regulation & Social Play
My Calm Tools & Sharing Stars
Crayon or Stamp Activity
My Calm-Down Tool Kit
Color or circle the 2 tools you like best:
🌸
Flower & Pinwheel
Smell the flower, blow the pinwheel whoosh!
🧸
Hug a Soft Friend
Squeeze a plush toy or pillow gently.
🙋
Ask for Teacher Help
Say: "I need a quiet hug or a break."
💧
Sip Cool Water
Feel cool water refresh your body and mind.
Our Turn-Taking Star Track
Color 1 star each time you pass or take a turn kindly!
⭐
Turn 1 "My turn!"
⭐
Turn 2 "Your turn!"
⭐
Turn 3 "Thank you!"
⭐
Turn 4 "Great sharing!"
🌟 We did it together! We are caring, patient friends! 🌟
🏅
Certified Emotion Explorer
Teacher initials: • High-five given!
🎉
Emotion Explorers • Student Practice Sheet Page 2 of 2