My Family Is Changing Lesson Plan My Family Is Changing
A Tier 3 Individual Counseling Lesson
30 Minutes
Individual (1st Grade)
Why This Lesson?
Parental separation can be a very challenging time for children, leading to confusion, anxiety, and sadness. This lesson provides a safe space for the student to process their emotions, understand the situation in an age-appropriate way, and develop initial coping skills.
Learning Objective
Students will be able to identify and express their feelings about their parents' separation and understand that the changes are not their fault. Students will learn one simple coping strategy.
Preparation
10m Review worksheet and self-talk cards.
Find a quiet, private space.
Gather crayons and a storybook about family changes.
Materials Needed
Comfortable seating
Crayons/Pencils
My Feelings Worksheet
Family Storybook
Self-Talk Cards
Instructional Steps
01
Warm-Up & Check-In
5 MIN
Greet the student warmly and acknowledge that you'll be spending some special time together today.
Ask how they are feeling today using open-ended questions.
Validate any feelings shared (e.g., "It's okay to feel that way").
02
Read Aloud: Family Changes
10 MIN
Read a storybook about family changes (e.g., Dinosaurs Divorce ).
Pause to ask about characters' feelings and experiences.
Connect story to the idea that sometimes families change.
Key Phrase: "It's not your fault when parents make grown-up decisions."
03
Activity: My Feelings Worksheet
10 MIN
Guide the student through the My Feelings Worksheet.
Discuss drawing/writing and help label emotions.
Introduce Positive Self-Talk Cards and practice 1-2 phrases.
04
Cool Down & Support Plan
5 MIN
Discuss who they can talk to (trusted adults).
Reiterate that their feelings are valid.
End with a comforting statement and offer continued support.
My Family Is Changing Slides My Family Is Changing
Growing through big changes together
Support
Feelings
Safety
Teacher: Welcome the student and set a comforting tone.
It's Okay to Feel...
Sometimes, when families change, we can feel many different things.
❤️ Love
😢 Sad
😡 Angry
🤔 Confused
All of your feelings are okay and important!
They tell us how we are doing.
Teacher: Discuss various emotions. Validate all feelings as normal and acceptable.
It's Not Your Fault
When grown-ups make big decisions, like changing how a family lives, it is never a child's fault.
Grown-up decisions are for grown-ups
Your job is to be a kid!
Your parents love you very much
Teacher: Emphasize that grown-up decisions are not the child's responsibility.
Who Can Help Me?
You have many grown-ups who care about you and want to help.
Mom or Dad
Grandparent or Aunt/Uncle
Teacher
School Counselor
It helps to talk!
Teacher: Guide the student to think about trusted adults. Reinforce that you are there to listen.
We Can Talk About It
Remember, I am always here for you.
You are important.
You are loved.
Teacher: Conclude by reiterating support and a plan for ongoing communication.
Family Feelings Check In Warm Up Family Feelings Check-In
How are you doing today?
Name: _______________________ Date: ___________
Sometimes our feelings can be like the weather! They change from sunny to rainy, and that is okay.
Today, I am feeling...
Draw a picture or use words to show how you feel right now.
What makes you feel that way?
It is brave to share
My Feelings Worksheet My Feelings About Family Changes
It's okay to have many different feelings!
Name: _______________________
Sometimes it is hard to find the right words. Drawing and circling can help us show how we feel inside.
1. Draw how you feel inside when you think about your family changing.
2. What feelings did you draw or think about? Circle them below:
Happy
Sad
Mad
Confused
Worried
Loved
Scared
Other: ____
3. What helps you feel a little better when you have these feelings?
All of your feelings are okay and important!
Positive Self-Talk Cards Activity Positive Self-Talk Cards
Cut these out and keep them in a special place!
Cut
Repeat
Remember
I Am Loved
"Even when things change, my grown-ups love me very much."
I Am Brave
"I can talk about my feelings and ask for help."
I Am Strong
"I can handle big feelings. They will pass."
I Am Safe
"There are grown-ups who will always take care of me."
It's Not My Fault
"Grown-up decisions are not my fault."
Facilitation Script Guide Facilitation Script
My Family Is Changing
1
Warm-Up & Check-In
5 Minutes
Greet the student and set a safe tone.
SAY: "Hi [Student's Name]! I'm so glad you're here today. We're going to spend some special time together, just talking and exploring some feelings. How are you feeling today? You can use a word, a color, or even a drawing if that helps."
(Listen actively, make eye contact, and gently reflect their feelings.)
SAY: "Thank you for sharing that with me. It's really brave to talk about how you feel, and remember, all feelings are welcome here. Sometimes our feelings can be big, sometimes small, and sometimes they change like the weather! And that is completely okay."
2
Read Aloud: Understanding Changes
10 Minutes
Use a storybook to normalize family transitions.
SAY: "I have a special book here today that I thought we could read together. It's about families, and how sometimes families change in different ways. Would you like to hear it?"
(Present the storybook. Read gently, pausing to check for engagement.)
SAY: "What do you notice about the characters in the story? How do they seem to be feeling?"
"It's important to know that when grown-ups make grown-up decisions, it is never, ever a child's fault. These are grown-up choices, and your job is to be you! Your parents love you very much, and that love doesn't change."
3
Activity: My Feelings Worksheet
10 Minutes
SAY: "Now, I have a special worksheet for you. It's a place for you to show me, in your own way, how you're feeling. You can draw a picture, write some words, or both! There are no right or wrong answers, just your feelings."
(Hand them the worksheet. Offer crayons. Provide gentle encouragement.)
SAY: "Wow, thank you for sharing that. It takes courage to put your feelings down. Can you tell me more about what you drew or wrote?"
SAY: "Sometimes, when we have big feelings, it can help to say kind words to ourselves. Let's look at one of these Positive Self-Talk Cards together. How about this one: I am loved. Can you say that with me?"
4
Cool Down & Support Plan
5 Minutes
SAY: "We've talked about a lot today, and you've been so brave. Before we finish, can you tell me one thing you learned today, or one feeling you're taking with you?"
SAY: "That's wonderful to hear. Who are some grown-ups you can talk to if you feel sad, or confused later on? (e.g., Mom, Dad, a grandparent, your teacher, or me!) It's so important to talk to someone you trust. I am always here to listen."
Feelings Worksheet Interpretation Guide Interpretation Guide
Teacher & Counselor Resource
My Feelings Worksheet
Assessment Philosophy
This worksheet is a tool for expression and validation, not for academic "correctness." The goal is to open a dialogue and help the student label complex internal states. Use these guidelines to facilitate a deeper conversation.
1 Drawing Interior Feelings
What to Observe
Color Usage: Dark colors may reflect heaviness; multiple colors may show confusion.
Line Quality: Heavy, jagged lines might indicate anger or intense stress.
Subject: Are they alone in the drawing? Is there a storm or a barrier?
Prompts to Use
"I notice you used [color]. Can you tell me what that color feels like?"
"Where are you in this picture?"
"If this drawing could talk, what would it say?"
2 Identifying Emotions
Look for alignment between the drawing and the words circled. If there is a mismatch (e.g., drawing looks sad but they circled "Happy"), gently explore this.
Confused / Worried Very common for 1st graders. Normalize this by saying, "It's okay to not have all the answers yet."
Loved Reinforce this! "Even with changes, the love from your family stays big and strong."
3 Coping Strategies
1st graders may need help brainstorming. If they leave this blank, suggest physical or social coping:
Deep Breathing Drawing Hugging a Toy Talking to Me
Support Note
If the student expresses self-harm, severe withdrawal, or intense guilt that persists, consult with your school's mental health team or administration for additional Tier 3 intervention.
My Family Changes Reflection Cool Down My Family Changes Reflection
Thinking about what we talked about today
Name: _______________________
1
What is one new thing you learned today?
2
Who is someone you can talk to if you have big feelings?
3
Draw a picture of yourself feeling calm or happy.
You are important and loved!
