Heart Heroes Counselor Guide
Heart Heroes Counselor Guide
8-Week Kindergarten Emotional Regulation & Flexibility Series
30 Min Sessions
Kindergarten SEL Group
Instructional Philosophy & Developmental Focus
Kindergarteners experience emotions through sensory-motor channels. This curriculum follows a deliberate developmental progression: Feelings First (identifying & localizing sensations in self and peers), progressing to Tactile Calming (sensory somatic resets), and culminating in Cognitive Flexibility (recovering from frustration, shifting expectations, and embracing Plan B).
Universal 30-Minute Lesson Architecture
0 - 5 min
Feelings Check-In
Visual greeting, feeling dial rating, group chant
5 - 14 min
Direct Skill Play
Visual anchor, mascot modeling, counselor prompt
14 - 24 min
Tactile Activity
Workbook page, role-play trial, sensory rehearsal
24 - 30 min
Calm Breath & Exit
Closing somatic breath, badge stamp, classroom handoff
8-Week Scope & Progression Matrix
Wk
Core Theme
Kindergarten Skill Focus
Primary Anchor & Activity
W1
Meet Feelings
Naming Happy, Sad, Mad, Scared
Feelings Mirror & Emotion Faces Wheel
W2
Body Detectives
Noticing internal body clues (heart, hands, tummy)
Somatic Body Map & Clue Detective Game
W3
Feelings in Friends
Reading facial cues, posture, voice tone
Friend Detective Cards & Caring Match
W4
The Calm Toolbox
Mastering 3 sensory reset tools before big tears
Star Breathing, Bubble Blow, Sensory Squeeze
W5
Taming Volcanoes
Catching big frustration: Stop, Breathe, Name
Volcano Freeze Game & Volcano Cool-Down
W6
The Bendy Tree
Cognitive flexibility: rigid rock vs. flexible branch
Wind & Tree Movement Game, Branch Sort
W7
Super Plan B
Handling changes & picking second choices
Plan B Role-Play Challenge & Bridge Drawing
W8
Bounce Back Heroes
Synthesizing awareness, calming, and flexibility
Hero Passport Celebration & Coping Badges
Counselor Room Setup & Routine
- • Sit in a cozy floor circle with sit-spots or carpet squares.
- • Keep a tactile "Calm Bin" (weighted plush, pinwheels, squish balls).
- • Always preview transitions with a 1-minute visual chime.
Kindergarten Developmental Anchors
- • Pair every feeling word with a concrete physical gesture.
- • Validate feelings: "Feelings are always okay; actions can be safe or unsafe."
- • Celebrate trying flexibility even when initial attempts feel hard.
Page 1 • Curriculum Foundation & Scope Matrix
1-4
Phase 1: Emotional Awareness & Calming Tools
30 Min Sessions
WEEK 1
Meet the Feelings: Happy, Sad, Mad, Scared
Obj: Accurately name & imitate 4 core emotional expressions
0-5m Check-In
Circle greeting. Pass handheld mirror; show our "happy face" and "neutral face".
5-14m Skill Script
Prompt: "Feelings are visitors in our hearts. Every feeling is welcome!" Model 4 face cards.
14-24m Practice
Workbook Page 1: Circle and color the emotion face matching your morning feeling.
24-30m Close
Play "Statue Feelings": Freeze as happy, sad, mad, brave. Take 1 deep belly breath.
WEEK 2
Body Detectives: Where Do Feelings Live?
Obj: Identify internal body sensations (heart, tummy, muscles)
0-5m Check-In
Hands on heart. Feel beat. Counselor asks: "Is your engine on turtle, bunny, or cheetah?"
5-14m Skill Script
Prompt: "Our body sends us secret text messages! Fast heart means excited. Tight fists mean mad."
14-24m Practice
Workbook Page 1: Draw where feelings buzz on the Body Silhouette (fists, chest, head, tummy).
24-30m Close
Body Shake & Freeze: Shake out hands, legs, shoulders, then freeze like calm warm jelly.
WEEK 3
Feelings in Friends: Compassion Radar
Obj: Look at eyes, mouth, and posture to deduce peer feelings
0-5m Check-In
Partner greeting. Look into partner's eyes and guess their morning smile level.
5-14m Skill Script
Prompt: "Detectives use eyes and ears! Look at slumped shoulders or smiling mouths. How can we help?"
14-24m Practice
Role-play scenarios: "Dropped block tower" vs. "Shared markers". Practice: "Are you okay?"
24-30m Close
Whisper circle: "You are a kind helper today, friend!" Passing a gentle smile.
WEEK 4
The Calm Down Toolbox: Somatic Reset
Obj: Learn and execute 3 self-regulation sensory breathing tools
0-5m Check-In
Toolbox reveal: Unbox the Calm Down kit (pinwheel, feather, squishy heart, starfish card).
5-14m Skill Script
Prompt: "Smell the hot soup (inhale nose), cool the soup (blow soft exhale mouth)." Model 3x.
14-24m Practice
Workbook Page 2: Star Finger Breathing practice. Trace fingers up (inhale) and down (exhale).
24-30m Close
Feather floating challenge: Keep a feather in the air with soft exhales without blowing hard.
Heart Heroes Small Group Curriculum Page 2 • Lesson Plans 1 through 4 Target: K SEL Standards (Self-Awareness & Management)
5-8
Phase 2: Frustration Reset, Flexibility & Plan B
30 Min Sessions
WEEK 5
Taming the Volcano: Frustration Cool Down
Obj: Catch bubbling anger: Stop, Hands on Tummy, Deep Breath
0-5m Check-In
Glitter Jar: Shake vigorously. Watch swirling sparkles settle slowly to bottom.
5-14m Skill Script
Prompt: "When red hot lava bubbles up, our body wants to yell. We whisper inside: 'FREEZE VOLCANO!'"
14-24m Practice
Volcano Freeze Game: Stomp feet when counselor says "Bubble!", drop limp on "Cool Down!"
24-30m Close
Self-hug somatic pressure: Squeeze shoulders tight for count of 3, exhale "Ahhh", release hands gently.
WEEK 6
The Bendy Tree: Flexible Thinking
Obj: Distinguish "stiff rock" reactions from "bendy branch" flexibility
0-5m Check-In
Hard rock vs flexible pipe cleaner. Try bending both. Which snaps? Which bends?
5-14m Skill Script
Prompt: "A stiff rock brain yells 'MY WAY!' A bendy tree brain says 'Wind blew, but I can bend!'"
14-24m Practice
Workbook Page 3: Sort Rock Brain vs. Bendy Branch. Sway arms like willow branches in wind.
24-30m Close
Mantra chant with arm motion: "I can bend so I don't break! I am strong and flexible!"
WEEK 7
Super Plan B: Handling Changes & Alternatives
Obj: Practice choosing an alternative when Plan A is unavailable
0-5m Check-In
Surprise twist: "Today we switch spots!" Notice who felt stuck and who bent flexibly.
5-14m Skill Script
Prompt: "Plan A was the swing, but it was taken. What is our Plan B? Slide, sandbox, or tag!"
14-24m Practice
Workbook Page 3: "My Plan B Bridge". Draw an alternative toy choice when favorite toy is in use.
24-30m Close
High five practice: Counselor states change; student shouts a fast, happy Plan B choice.
WEEK 8
Bounce Back Heroes: Celebration & Passports
Obj: Synthesize calming favorites and celebrate emotional growth
0-5m Check-In
Hero Parade: Walk like confident emotion champions into circle with proud posture and smile.
5-14m Skill Script
Prompt: "Look how much you grew! You know your body clues, your calm breaths, and your Plan B!"
14-24m Practice
Hero Badge Ceremony: Review student workbooks, award regulation hero badges and stickers.
24-30m Close
Final chant: "I notice my heart, I take a calm breath, I bend like a tree, I bounce right back!"
Heart Heroes Small Group Curriculum Page 3 • Lesson Plans 5 through 8 Target: K SEL Standards (Relationship Skills & Decision-Making)