Page 56 - 101 SEL Activities

Role Play (all ages)
Time: Variable,5+minutes
Purpose: To help children nurture their creativity while also exploring social norms. It helps them regulate their emotions in a meaningful way. This can also help build empathy and helpful self- talk.
Instructions: Ask your child if they would like to pretend play. You can come up with something (i.e. family, a favorite book/movie/character, doctor, etc.). Switch roles, sometimes letting them be in charge and other times inserting teaching moments. When we let children direct play this can be very empowering for them. For instance, if they want to be the “bad” guy, let them fully direct it without going against their suggestions. Other times push back on their prompts and model social skills or empowerment, aka you don’t let the “bad” guy win.
Time: 5-10minutestoteachthemhowtodothechoresinitially,1-2minutesforfollowup
Purpose: These are so important! This helps them build mastery and develop inner pride. It also helps them feel part of the family. It helps them have a role while also letting them know that you think they are competent and capable.
Instructions: Give your child chores around the house. Start small and build from there. As they get older, they should have daily chores as well as some weekend chores. Let them be a part of choosing their chores.
What’s Going to Happen? (3+)
Time: 1-2minutes
Purpose: To regulate emotions, slow down reactions and understand cause and effect. This also helps develop empathy as you offer alternative outcomes based on other’s feelings.
Instructions: While reading a book, watching a movie, or playing, stop and ask your child, “What do you think is going to happen?” You can also do this in public. Ask this of your older child as a follow up question to a story they told you.
Add-on: Instruct them to think of 3 different outcomes.
Chores (2+)
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