Playground Pals Teacher Guide
Playground Pals
Pre-K 3 Social-Emotional Learning Guide
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Target Age
Pre-K 3 (Age 3)
Duration
20 - 25 Mins
Key Theme
Kindness & Sharing
Puppet Pals
Sammy & Pip
What We Are Learning Today
- • Identify sharing as a way to be a kind friend.
- • Practice the verbal prompt: "Can I have a turn, please?"
- • Use trade/swap options during sensory play.
- • Identify happy emotions associated with sharing.
1
Warm-Up: The Sharing Song (5 Mins)
Gather children on the rug using your standard circle time chant. Introduce today's theme by singing this simple song to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat". Use big arm motions and clap.
"Share, share, share your toys,
Share them with a friend!
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Kindness has no end!"
TEACHER TIP
"Hold a soft toy during the song and pass it gently to a child on the word 'Share' to physically model the action!"
2
Puppet Circle Time: Meet Sammy & Pip (8 Mins)
Introduce the two classroom puppets: Sammy the Squirrel (who loves shiny acorns) and Pip the Bunny (who has a red toy block). Perform this brief interactive script:
Sammy
"Mine! This block is mine! No, Pip, you can't touch it. I want to build a giant tower all by myself!" (Sammy hugs the block tightly and turns away)
Pip
"But Sammy, I want to build too. There are no other blocks left. I feel so sad..." (Pip hangs head low and makes a crying sound)
Teacher
"Oh dear! Pip is sad. Look at his face. Friends, how can we help Sammy and Pip play together? What can they do?"
Unit: Kind Hearts, Happy Classrooms Pre-K 3 Curriculum
Playground Pals
Pre-K 3 Social-Emotional Learning Guide
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3
Guided Solutions: Puppet Turn-Taking (5 Mins)
Ask the children to tell Sammy how to share. Guide them to prompt the puppets using our target sharing solutions.
Option A: The Sandbox Timer
Sammy plays with the toy truck for 1 minute while Pip waits. When the visual timer rings, Sammy passes it to Pip with a big smile.
"My turn is done! Here you go!"
Option B: The Playdough Swap
Sammy has the blue playdough, Pip has the red. They exchange half of each pile so both can make colorful playdough cookies together.
"Let's swap so we both have both!"
4
Hands-On Practice: The Sensory Table (7 Mins)
Setup & Materials Needed:
- Sand / Playdough
- Sand Timers (1 min)
- 4 colorful scoops
Divide children into pairs at the sensory bins. Provide only one scoop per pair. Monitor and actively coach children to say: "Can I have a turn, please?" when they want to scoop, and swap roles when the sand timer runs out. Praise successful sharing loudly!
5
Reflection & Take-Home Routine (3 Mins)
Pals Recognition & Reflection Prompt:
Gather back on the rug. Ask: "How did your heart feel when your buddy shared with you today?" Lead a round of high-fives. Give each student the "Playground Pals Coloring Page" to take home and color with their family as an active promise to share.
PRE-K OBSERVATION CHECKLIST
Did they ask for a turn?
Did they wait patiently?
Did they smile/enjoy it?
Unit: Kind Hearts, Happy Classrooms Pre-K 3 Curriculum
Playground Pals Scenario Cards
Scenario Action Cards
Print, cut along the dotted line, & fold for easy reference
TEACHER PROMPTS
✂️
Use these scenarios with your classroom puppets (Sammy and Pip) to model difficult sharing moments. Invite students to call out the magical solution to help them share!
CARD 1
The Sandbox Shovel
Setup
Sammy is scooping sand happily. Pip walks over and grabs the handle of the same shovel. Both puppets pull!
Script Dialogue
🗣️ Sammy: "Hey, I had it first! No taking!"
🗣️ Pip: "But I need it to dig my tunnel now!"
💭 Prompt Kids: "Friends, what can Sammy say to share the shovel?"
💡 Solution: Swap shovels or use a sand timer.
CARD 2
The Block Tower
Setup
Pip is building a tall red tower. Sammy runs over and takes the top block, causing the tower to wobble.
Script Dialogue
🗣️ Pip: "Oh no, you ruined my tower! Go away!"
🗣️ Sammy: "I just wanted to put my acorn on it!"
💭 Prompt Kids: "How can they build the tower together?"
💡 Solution: Add blocks one-by-one, taking turns.
CARD 3
The Big Book
Setup
Sammy holds a huge picture book of animals, blocking Pip's view completely with his big fluffy tail.
Script Dialogue
🗣️ Pip: "I can't see the pictures! Move, Sammy!"
🗣️ Sammy: "I'm looking at the big bear. Wait!"
💭 Prompt Kids: "What can Pip say to look at the book together?"
💡 Solution: Lay book in center & say "We look together".
CARD 4
The Big Swing
Setup
Pip is swinging. Sammy sits directly under the swing so Pip has to stop. Sammy refuses to let Pip swing.
Script Dialogue
🗣️ Sammy: "It's my turn now! Get off! Get off!"
🗣️ Pip: "I just sat down! You always swing!"
💭 Prompt Kids: "How can we safely share the swings?"
💡 Solution: Count 10 high swings together, then swap!
Unit: Kind Hearts, Happy Classrooms Instructional Puppet Scenarios
Playground Pals Activity Sheet
Name:
Date:
🌟 PLAYGROUND PALS 🌟
My Sharing Promise Coloring Page
I Can Share with My Buddies!
Color this happy page with bright crayons. Every color represents a kind act of sharing!
✨ ⭐ ⭐ ✨
SHARE
Is Kind!
🐰
Pip
🐿️
Sammy
Blocks
Smiles
Joy
"I will share a toy with a family member or friend at home!"
Family Connection (Grown-up Note)
Today at school, we explored the concept of sharing with our class puppets Sammy the Squirrel and Pip the Bunny. We learned to say: "Can I have a turn, please?" and use sand timers to share. Please support this lesson at home by encouraging your child to share a toy or game with you today, and color this promise page together!
