February isn’t just about Valentine’s Day—it’s also a great opportunity to teach preschoolers about kindness and teamwork. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is a critical part of STEAM education, helping kids develop the interpersonal skills they’ll use for a lifetime.
Why SEL and STEAM Go Hand in Hand
STEAM activities naturally lend themselves to collaboration, problem-solving, and communication. When kids work together, they learn empathy and how to navigate challenges.
Simple Ways to Build Kindness Through Play:
- Kindness Chain Creation:
Have children write or draw kind actions on paper strips, then connect them to form a class chain. It’s a visual representation of how their kindness links everyone together. - Collaboration Challenge:
Divide children into teams to solve a building or stacking challenge. Encourage them to cheer each other on and celebrate teamwork.
Kindness Mural:
Create a collaborative art piece where each child contributes something meaningful. Display it to remind them of their collective effort.
Encourage Small Acts Every Day
Kindness is contagious! Celebrate little moments of sharing or helping, and watch your classroom bloom with positivity.
Looking for step-by-step instructions and more SEL-focused STEAM activities? They’re waiting for you in our Preschool STEAM Pathways Membership.
Leave a Reply