Body Signals Teaching Script
Kindergarten SEL • 30 Minutes
My Body Tells the Story
Teacher Facilitation Script Mind & Body Unit
Learning Goal
Students describe at least 2 body sensations for core feelings (Happy, Mad, Scared, Calm).
Key Concepts
Body Signals • Interoception • Mind-Body Connection • Self-Awareness.
Materials Prep
Slides, Body Clues Chart, Freeze Dance Cards, Booklets & Crayons.
Phase 1: Mindful Breathing Warm-Up 0:00 - 0:05 (5 mins)
Teacher Script (Gather students on rug in a crisscross circle):
"Put your two hands gently on your belly. Imagine your belly is a soft, round balloon. When we breathe in through our nose... slow and deep... watch your balloon grow big! Now let the air out like a gentle breeze: whoooosh. What does your belly do? It gently sinks down! Let's do three balloon breaths together."
Observation Check: Watch for shoulders rising up instead of belly expansion. Model relaxed, dropped shoulders and soft jaws.
Phase 2: Interactive Slide Discussion 0:05 - 0:13 (8 mins)
Teacher Script & Inquiry Prompts:
"Friends, did you know your body is a super detective? Even before you say words, your body sends you secret signals! When we feel super happy, what happens inside? Some say their chest feels warm like sunshine, and their toes want to wiggle and jump! What about when we feel worried or scared? Place your hand on your heart—thump, thump, thump! And in our tummy, it can feel like fluttery little butterflies."
Angry / Mad Clues:
Hot red cheeks, clenched fists like rocks, teeth tight, feet want to stomp.
Calm / Safe Clues:
Soft shoulders, slow resting heartbeat, loose quiet hands, gentle smile.
Kindergarten SEL Curriculum • Lesson Plan & Script Page 1 of 2
Active Practice & Reflection Cycles
Phases 3 to 5
Phase 3: Signal Freeze Dance Game 0:13 - 0:20 (7 mins)
Game Rules & Prompts:
1. Put on joyful, upbeat background music. Invite students to safely dance on their personal carpet spot.
2. When the music stops, call out a feeling and hold up the Signal Card:
"FREEZE LIKE A BUTTERFLY! (Scared / Nervous)" — Students flutter their fingers on their belly and freeze.
"FREEZE LIKE A HARD ROCK! (Mad / Angry)" — Students squeeze their fists and make a tight statue.
"FREEZE LIKE POPPING BUBBLES! (Excited / Happy)" — Students jump up once and freeze with a wide sparkling smile!
Phase 4: My Inside Out Booklet Drawing 0:20 - 0:26 (6 mins)
Transition students to desks with the My Inside Out Booklet and crayons. Guide them page by page: "On page 1, draw the warm sunshine or bubbles in your chest when you are happy! On page 2, pick red or orange to draw what your muscles and face feel like when you are mad."
Phase 5: Partner Share & Closing Chant 0:26 - 0:30 (4 mins)
Turn to knee-partner: "My body feels like ________ when I am ________."
Closing Affirmation Call-and-Response:
Teacher: "My body talks!" • Students: "I listen close!"
Teacher: "All my feelings..." • Students: "Help me grow!"
Formative Assessment Checklist
Meets Objective: Identifies & points to 2+ physical cues (e.g. "heart goes fast", "fists get tight", "belly tickles").
Needs Scaffolding: States only emotional label ("I feel bad") without physical location. Prompt: "Where do you feel that in your body?"
Kindergarten SEL Curriculum • Lesson Plan & Script Page 2 of 2
Heartbeats to Butterflies Slides
Kindergarten Body Detectives
My Body Tells
the Story
From Thumping Heartbeats to Tummy Butterflies!
Listen • Feel • Understand
Your Body is Talking!
Secret Signals
Before words come out of your mouth, your body sends you signals!
👂
Can you hear your heart beat?
🦋
Can you feel tickles in your belly?
All Feelings Are OK!
Your body signals help keep you safe, happy, and healthy.
Let's explore our 4 big feeling signals! 👇
When You Feel HAPPY ☀️
Body Clues
😊
Cheeks Go Up
Big smiling face with wide bright eyes!
✨
Warm Chest
Feels like warm sunshine or fizzing bubbles inside!
👟
Bouncy Feet
Toes want to dance, jump, and wiggle!
Try it now: Put your hands on your chest. Can you feel the warm sunshine?
When You Feel MAD 🌋
Body Clues
🔥
Hot Cheeks
Face feels warm and red like a little volcano!
✊
Tight Rock Fists
Hands squeeze tight and arms feel stiff!
😤
Fast Heavy Breaths
Breathing feels fast, teeth squeeze together!
Try it now: Squeeze fists like rocks... now open them soft like feathers!
When You Feel SCARED 🦋
Body Clues
🦋
Tummy Butterflies
Fluttery, tickly, or squirmy belly!
💓
Thump Thump Heart
Heart beats fast like a little running rabbit!
🧊
Frozen Legs
Body wants to freeze or curl into a safe ball!
Try it now: Flutter your fingers gently on your tummy like butterflies!
When You Feel CALM 🍃
Body Clues
🛋️
Soft Shoulders
Shoulders drop down soft like cozy pillows.
🌬️
Gentle Breath
Slow in through the nose, soft out like wind.
🤲
Resting Hands
Fingers open, relaxed, resting quietly.
Try it now: Let your shoulders drop down and take one gentle breath.
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