95 Supplemental Social Emotional Learning Activities

Welcome to our supplemental Social Emotional Learning Activities page!

As you will see below, many of the supplemental SEL activities and lesson plans include characters from our game-based, social emotional learning interventions. And when you use the online programs with your students, these activities will reinforce the learning that occurs during game play.

These supplemental resources – lessons, activities, and worksheets – are in the following SELskill areas: Communication, Cooperation, Emotion Regulation, Empathy, Impulse Control, and Social Initiation.

These resources are age-appropriate for elementary and middle school students and are typically used in a classroom or a small group setting. And in most cases, if materials are required for the activity, they are items that you already have in your classroom or office.

Note: Please share this page on your school website so other educators may also benefit.


self esteem worksheets

Self Esteem Worksheets

The self-esteem worksheets below include the following: A self-awareness exercise to help students identify likes and dislikes An All About ...
SEL Check In

SEL Check In

An SEL check in is a great way for educators to keep tabs on how students are feeling, and with ...
Cool Down Corner

Cool Down Corner

Centervention's digital Cool Down Corner is an online space where students will find a collection of online SEL activities that ...
Anger Iceberg

Anger Iceberg

The idea of an "anger iceberg" is that our anger is like an iceberg — what we show on the ...
Coping Skills For Anxiety

Coping Skills For Anxiety

Anxiety Versus Anxiety Disorders Anxiety is a normal experience for most people, and on occasion, it may be overwhelming. But ...
feelings wheel

Feelings Wheel

The Feelings Wheel is a tool created by Gloria Wilcox in 1982 for teens and adults seeking to better understand ...
emotion words

List of Emotions: 135 Words that Express Feelings

Categories of Emotions The list of emotions a typical pre-K child understands may be limited to happy, mad, sad, and ...
impulse control activities

Impulse Control Activities for Kids

Impulse control, or self-control, is the ability to resist temptations, urges, or impulses in order to meet one’s goals. Students ...
all about me worksheet

All About Me Worksheet

An All About Me worksheet is a great way to kick off the school year as students explore self-awareness and ...
morning affirmations for kids

50 Positive Affirmations for Kids

What are positive affirmations for kids? During these challenging and uncertain times, it’s important to remain hopeful, and positive affirmations ...
Active Listening Exercises

Active Listening Exercises

These simple active listening exercises help students focus on what is being said and to share their feelings about being ...
Brain Breaks For Kids

Brain Breaks For Kids

"I need a break!" Whether or not students say it out loud, this feeling can be palpable in the classroom ...
sel book list pin

SEL Books

For obvious reasons, we hope that you use our online social emotional learning interventions to help your students practice and ...
Word Association Game

Word Association Game

This fun word association game will help you get ahead of conflict by helping students understand the connection between experience ...
would you rather questions for kids

Would You Rather Questions For Kids

Getting to know your students, and students getting to know each other, can be a real struggle, and this is ...
Morning Meeting Questions for Students in ES and MS

Morning Meeting Questions

Morning meetings are an excellent way to help students transition from home to school and help them get ready to ...
Social Emotional IEP Goals

Social Emotional IEP Goals

What do Social Emotional IEP Goals Look Like? Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is valuable for all students, and while a ...
Self Care For Teachers

Self Care For Teachers

If you feel "burnout" setting in, if you feel demoralized and exhausted, it is best, for the sake of everyone, ...
Responsible Decision Making Pin

Responsible Decision Making Lesson

How we act in challenging situations heavily relies on our moral code, an important component of responsible decision making. And ...
Body Language Mirroring

Body Language Mirroring

We’ve created this fun two-step lesson that helps students to communicate with each other through body language mirroring and word ...
conflict resolution for kids

Conflict Resolution for Kids

We’ve rounded up some of our top tips and lessons that will help you create a classroom that practices respectful ...
Self Awareness Worksheets

Self Awareness Worksheets

Using the self awareness worksheets below, your students will gain a better understanding of their likes and dislikes. While adults ...
Agree to Disagree: A Lesson About Perspective

Agree to Disagree: A Lesson About Perspective

It feels good to be right, but sometimes it's better to simply agree to disagree. Students’ drive to feel competent ...
How to be a Good Friend

How to be a Good Friend

Learning how to be a good friend is an intentional process that can be supported by adults who coach and ...
coping skills activity

Dealing with Change

Dealing with change is a normal part of the student experience. Whether it’s starting a new school, trying to make ...
How to Apologize

How to Apologize

When we say, or do, something that hurts someone we care about, a sincere apology is a great first step ...
social cues

Social Cues and Social Competence

What Social Cues Mean? Social cues are the verbal and nonverbal "clues" that help us interact, communicate, and establish relationships ...
voice inflection

Voice Inflection

What is Voice Inflection? Voice inflection, or intonation, is when we change the tone or pitch of our voice when ...
SEL Skill Printables

SEL Skill Printables

You can show an ongoing commitment to social emotional learning by recognizing students who demonstrate good or improving SEL skills ...
Think Sheet: Behavior Reflection Exercise

Think Sheet: Behavior Reflection Exercise

A great tool for having students reflect on inappropriate behavior is a Think Sheet. You can use it when a ...
Emotional Awareness: What Makes Me Happy

Emotional Awareness: What Makes Me Happy

When we think about emotional awareness, we typically focus on situations that trigger negative emotions. But it's also important that ...
Pass It On Game

Pass It On Game

Ever felt like your lesson has gotten away from you? When exactly did the plan stray from a diagram of ...
Indoor Recess Activity: Pass The Hoop

Indoor Recess Activity: Pass The Hoop

If your students aren't getting along, it might just be time for an indoor recess activity to help everyone reset! ...
Wrinkled Heart Activity

Wrinkled Heart Activity

This activity, based on the book, A Wrinkled Heart by Tracy Hoexter, will help students appreciate how important it is ...
eye expressions lesson

Eye Expressions: How We Communicate With Our Eyes

Our eye expressions can convey a significant amount of information about how we are feeling even if we are not ...
Emotion Faces Worksheet

Emotion Faces Worksheet

Using the emotion faces lesson and printable worksheets below, you will help your students evaluate facial expressions and associate those ...
Student Strengths Lesson

Student Strengths Lesson

In this lesson, students will create a student strengths flower that highlights their positive traits, and this flower will be ...
Anger Thermometer (Lesson and Printable)

Anger Thermometer (Lesson and Printable)

Everyone feels angry from time to time, and it can be an overwhelming emotion. Like other emotions, anger comes in ...
Gratitude Jar for Kids

A Gratitude Jar for Kids

In a previous lesson, we introduced the the power of gratitude where students identified one thing that made them happy ...
how to create a bitmoji classroom for SEL

How to Create a Bitmoji Classroom for SEL

If you're providing remote instruction this year, you may have seem images where educators create a personalized virtual classroom that ...
Cooperative Learning Activity

Cooperative Learning Activity

A cooperative learning activity is a fantastic way to improve overall social emotional learning, but many students struggle with speaking up ...
Classroom Scavenger Hunt

SEL Classroom Scavenger Hunt

This SEL classroom scavenger hunt will help students focus on doing good deeds or random acts of kindness for others ...
Summer Worksheets for Social Emotional Learning

Summer Worksheets for Social Emotional Learning

Summer is just around the corner and there’s so much to think about! As you tie up loose ends on ...
self esteem worksheets

Affirmation Cards for Kids

Self affirmations are a great way to help build self-esteem and overcome doubts. Instead of listening to the voice in ...
mindfulness activities for kids

Mindfulness Activities for Kids

There are a wide range of mindfulness activities for kids from yoga, meditation, deep breathing, or even blowing bubbles. In ...
acts of kindness for kids

Acts of Kindness Worksheets for Kids

We know that acts of kindness and small gestures can bring joy to others, and by helping others, we in ...
social emotional learning journal

Social Emotional Learning Journal

Many students may already use a journal at school to develop their writing skills, but what if we helped them ...
vision board ideas for students

Vision Board Ideas for Students in Elementary and Middle School

For students around the world, life may be a bit upside down as a result of COVID-19. The structure of ...
Emotional Check-In

Emotional Check In Worksheet

As a result of COVID-19, school life is very different right now, for everyone. Students are having to make huge ...
personal space worksheets

Personal Space Worksheets for Students in Elementary School

Most adults understand the physical boundaries imposed within general space and the importance of respecting the norms of personal space; ...
gratitude worksheet

Gratitude Worksheets for Students in Elementary School

What if we took a moment in our day to explain and teach gratitude to our kids? How would their ...
feelings song for kids

Song About Feelings for Kids

In this lesson, student’s will watch a short Feelings Song video about how their body may respond when they feel ...
Worry Scale

The Worry Scale

There are a lot of heavy things happening that cause students to feel worried, fearful, and anxious. And while our ...
goal setting worksheet

Goal Setting Worksheet

As educators, we encourage our students to dream big, but many times students don’t understand how to set goals and ...
hurtful words lesson

Hurtful Words Lesson for Young Students

Words hurt. I’m sure you have said this to your students many times when dealing with bullying situations or talking ...
staying focused

Stay Focused Worksheet for Students in Elementary School

It can be challenging for young learners to stay focused, especially when they are anticipating an exciting event. In this ...
dealing with disappointment

Dealing with Disappointment Lesson and Printable

Disappointment can happen for a variety of reasons, and most of us experience some sort of misfortune quite often. As ...
following directions worksheet

Following Directions Worksheets

Learning to follow directions is an important skill for all students to master, and by the time students start Kindergarten, ...
Socially Appropriate Behavior Worksheet for Elementary School Students

Socially Appropriate Behavior Worksheet for Elementary School Students

Why Students Struggle With Impulse Control Kids may struggle with impulse control or self control for two different reasons: a ...
Holiday Printables for Social and Emotional Learning

Holiday Printables for Social and Emotional Learning

When a holiday is coming up, it can be hard for everyone to remain focussed amid the excitement. We’re here ...
i statements

I Statements Worksheet

Communicating how we feel can be a challenge for kids and adults, especially when we're frustrated. It's easy to blame ...
separation anxiety in children

Separation Anxiety At School

Separation anxiety, the fear of being away from mom, dad or another caregiver, can pop up unexpectedly and at various ...
how to make friends at school

How To Make Friends At School

No matter the time of year, some students may feel left out and uncertain how to become part of the ...
perfectionist child

Perfectionist Child: Lesson and Expert Tips

It can be heartbreaking to watch a student struggle through an assignment, especially when the student knows the material and ...
expressing feelings

Expressing Feelings Without Blaming Activity

There can be a lot of tension when expressing feelings, especially if you or the other person lack certain communication ...
impulse control printable

Impulse Control Printable: Melt or Freeze

Impulse Control, or self-control, is the ability to control your behaviors and feelings. This impulse control printable asks students to ...
Game Guides: Informational Posters for Zoo U, SS GRIN, and Hall of Heroes

Game Guides: Informational Posters for Zoo U, SS GRIN, and Hall of Heroes

These are informative posters for three of our most popular programs: Zoo U, SS GRIN, and Hall of Heroes. In ...
making assumptions

Critical Thinking Worksheets

Using the first critical thinking worksheet below, your students will gather evidence about what happened to a missing snack and ...
peer pressure activities

Peer Pressure Activities

As students grow and develop, they become more socially aware, and are more influenced by the beliefs and attitudes of ...
Coping Skills Worksheets

Coping Skills Worksheets

Coping skills are essential for navigating the ups and downs of life. Whether we face major life changes, unexpected challenges, ...
social skill group activities

Social Skills Group Activities

On this page, you will find free social skills group activities that are appropriate for students in elementary and middle ...
Communication Skills Worksheets

Communication Skills Worksheets

We’ve created these communication skill worksheets to guide students through the different phases of appropriate and safe conversations as they ...
i have who has game

I Have Who Has Game of Actions and Consequences

How we relate to other people in real life via our words and actions can have consequences. And helping students ...
mood ring colors

Mood Ring Colors: Identifying Emotions

This mood ring colors activity will have your students identifying emotions like a superhero! Did you have one of those ...
friendship traits

Friendship Traits: Making and Keeping Friends Activity

Good friends can make you feel happy and loved, while bad friends may disappoint you and make you sad. But, ...
think before you speak

Think Before You Speak

To be honest, it can be hysterical to hear a child say something they shouldn’t. A child pointing out a ...
think ahead

Positive and Negative Consequences

We often think of consequences in terms of bad things that could happen. If I go to bed early, I’ll ...
Emotional Regulation Activities

Emotional Regulation Activities

The emotional regulation activities below will help students practice flexible thinking through a fun and interactive partner drawing game. Sometimes ...
identifying emotions activity

Identifying Emotions Activity: Chameleon Moods

Identifying and managing feelings, or Emotion Regulation, requires the ability to respond to strong emotional situations in a socially acceptable ...
belly breathing for kids

Belly Breathing for Kids

Managing your feelings requires the ability to respond to strong emotions in an appropriate way. For example, staying calm when ...
Find Someone Who

Find Someone Who

At the start of the school year, students are excited about making new friends and getting to know their classmates ...
charades for kids

Emotion Charades for Kids: Feelings and Empathy

This emotion charades for kids activity will help students identify different feelings and better understand how they, and others, may ...
freeze game

Freeze Game Activity

Ever find yourself asking a student who’s made a questionable choice, “Why would you do something like that?” only to ...
body language activities

Body Language Game: Telephone Game

Good communication is important for getting along well with others, but students often have difficulty understanding that their body language ...
calm classroom

Calm Down Corner

Strong emotions can make it difficult to make good choice, so it is important that students learn how to manage ...
nonverbal communication activities

Nonverbal Communication Activities for Students in Grades K-8

Nonverbal communication activities are a great way to enhance critical social and emotional skills, including knowledge of voice inflection, facial expressions, ...
Perspective Taking Activities

Perspective Taking Activities

Perspective taking activities can be confusing. Is the glass half empty or half full? Is the Mona Lisa smiling? Are ...
emotion words

Emotion Words to Convey a Range of Feelings

It’s important that students learn to identify the degree of emotion they are feeling and use words that are more ...
Circle of Control Worksheet for Students

Circle of Control Worksheet for Students

With this circle of control worksheet, you will assist students in managing their anxiety by providing a clear understanding of ...
Positive Self Talk for Kids

Positive Self Talk for Kids

Positive thinking is a psychological framework for embracing optimism that has gained attention in recent years. Research suggests that a ...
Staying on Topic Activity

Staying on Topic Activity

An important piece of healthy and respectful relationships is communication, and in conversation, this includes active listening, asking and answering ...
Transition to Middle School: Opening Lockers

Transition to Middle School: Opening Lockers

Moving up to Middle School from Elementary School is an exciting time of transition that sometimes leaves students feeling a ...
school referal slips

Tattling vs Telling

While the distinction may appear nuanced, there are clear differences behind the meanings and purposes of tattling vs telling. Tattling ...
Conversation Starters for Kids

Conversation Starters for Kids

It can be so hard to initiate a conversation with someone we don’t know, and it might even be harder ...
feelings worksheet

Feelings Worksheets: Understanding Big Emotions vs. Small Emotions

Understanding how to regulate emotions isn't something we are born with, it is a skill we learn over time. One ...
feelings faces

Feelings Faces Printable

We’ve created a fun, feelings faces lesson that invites students to explore their own reactions and feelings to different scenarios, ...
bullying lesson

Bullying Lessons Using Apples

Most students know that bullying is bad, and yet bullying still happens in our schools every day. When we say ...

Social Emotional Learning at Home

developmental milestones

Developmental Milestones for Social and Emotional Skills

As parents, we know how to monitor our child’s physical developmental milestones. When did your child begin to sit up, ...
sad child

Do I have a Sad Child or Could it be Depression?

Q: My son used to be a fun, lighthearted and very active kid. But lately, he’s been negative about everything ...
child feels left out

What to do when your child feels left out

Q: My daughter was really upset when she came home from school today. At the beginning of the day, one ...
what are the warning signs of adhd

What are the Warning Signs of ADHD?

Q: My son’s teacher has raised some concerns about his behavior in class and suggests that we test him for ...
following directions

Following Directions: Advice from Experts

Q: My son is an intelligent kid. He does well in school, loves playing on his basketball team and has ...
getting ready for school

Getting Ready for School: Avoid the Drama

Q: School mornings are a real struggle in my house. My kids have to do just six things each morning: ...
impulsive behavior

Impulsive Behavior in Children

Q: My daughter is so impulsive. She’s constantly getting into trouble for things like grabbing toys away from friends at ...
lacking self confidence

Lacking Self-Confidence: Expert Ideas and Tips to Help your Kids

Q: My son is a smart, capable boy, but he is lacking self-confidence in just about anything he does. A ...
Bullied at school

Bullied at School: Expert Ideas to Help your Child

Q: I think my child is being bullied at school. In the last couple of weeks, she’s started complaining about ...
meltdowns

Meltdowns: How to Help your Child and Reduce Frustration

Q: I thought we were done with meltdowns when my daughter graduated from preschool. But, these days, as a first ...
bored at school

Bored at School and Academically Gifted

Q: When I ask my gifted child how school is each day, he almost always responds by saying this: “Really, ...
making friends at school

Making Friends at School

Q: All the other kids in my son’s class have a best friend or a group of close friends, but ...
growth mindset

Growth Mindset for Kids

An Overview of Growth Mindset for Kids Kids develop a growth mindset, a term coined by Stanford University psychologist Carol ...
school refusal

Strategies for Helping Your Child with School Refusal

Q: My daughter has always loved going to school, but this year, something has changed. Many mornings, she complains about ...
parent-teacher relationships

Parent-Teacher Relationships to Help Your Child Thrive at School

Q: My daughter’s teacher seems like a lovely woman and, so far, we’ve had a good parent-teacher relationship. But now ...
overcome negative thinking

How to Help Your Child Overcome Negative Thinking

Q: Whether it’s a test at school or a new step at dance class, my daughter doesn’t think she can ...
difficulty making decisions

My Child Has Difficulty Making Decisions: How Can I Help?

Q: My daughter can’t make a decision to save her life. When she was picking out a new shirt at ...
angry child

Angry Kid: How Can I Help My Son be Less Frustrated?

Q: My son can be such an angry kid. When just about anything doesn’t go his way, he gets so ...
coping skills

Coping Skills for Gifted Students

Q: Our gifted child easily breaks down at even the smallest problems. And when he’s stressed out because of worries ...

Additional Resources for Social Emotional Learning

Classroom Management Plan

Our classroom management plan is a step-by-step guide and includes proven strategies, tips and printables for elementary school teachers, and it covers four key components for establishing a successful, well-managed classroom.

Classroom Decorations

These free downloadable posters will decorate your classroom and be great teaching resources, reinforcing social and emotional skills in your classroom and reminding students to practice their skills like emotion regulation, impulse control, empathy, and more.

Social Emotional Learning Quotes

For each of the topics below, we have curated a list of quotes. You can incorporate these quotes in your social emotional learning lessons, add them to social media images, create classroom posters, or write one on your whiteboard each day.

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