Lesson Plan

Session 1 Lesson Plan

Build rapport and introduce the vocabulary of common feelings by exploring and labeling emotions through discussion, slides, a matching game, and a quick self-check worksheet.

Helping a young learner recognize and name feelings creates a safe foundation, reduces anxiety, and builds trust for deeper work on separation worries.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Welcome and Rapport Building

5 minutes

Step 2

Introducing Feelings

10 minutes

Step 3

Emotion Matching Game

5 minutes

Step 4

Feelings Check-In Activity

7 minutes

Step 5

Wrap-Up and Closing

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Feelings Introduction

Welcome the student and introduce the slide deck. Say: “Today we’re going to learn about feelings! Feelings help us know what’s happening inside our hearts. Let’s look at some feeling faces together.”

Happy

Show the happy face graphic clearly on the slide. Ask: “What feeling do you see here?” Wait for response, then say: “That’s right, it’s happy! When do you feel happy?”

Sad

Display the sad face graphic. Prompt: “What feeling is this?” After naming, ask: “Can you tell me something that makes you feel sad sometimes?” Provide validating praise.

Scared

Show the scared face. Ask: “Who can tell me what feeling this is?” Then: “Sometimes going to school can make us feel scared. What helps you feel less scared?”

Excited

Present the excited face. Ask: “What feeling do you think this is?” After: “Tell me something that makes you excited!” Offer enthusiastic praise.

How Do You Feel?

Explain: “Now it’s your turn! Point to the face that shows how you feel right now.” Give the student time and praise their choice.

Worksheet

Game

Lesson Plan

Session 2 Lesson Plan

Introduce a simple “balloon breathing” coping strategy and practice it through guided activities to help the student calm anxiety when separated from caregivers.

Teaching a concrete breathing technique empowers the child with a self-soothing tool, reducing panic and building confidence in managing separation worries.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Welcome and Check-In

5 minutes

Step 2

Introduce Balloon Breathing

7 minutes

Step 3

Guided Practice with Card

8 minutes

Step 4

Bubble Blowing Game

7 minutes

Step 5

Reflect and Draw Calm

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Balloon Breathing

Welcome! Today we’re going to learn a special “balloon breathing” trick to help us feel calm and brave when we worry. Let’s get started!

What Is Balloon Breathing?

Explain the idea: “A balloon gets big when it’s full of air.” Show a picture of a smiling animal gently holding a big balloon.

Step 1: Inhale (Count 1-2-3)

Model placing a soft toy (e.g., teddy bear) on your belly. Breathe in through your nose, making the toy rise.

Step 2: Hold (Count 1-2)

Say: “Hold that air gently—like pausing before you let go of the balloon.” Count softly.

Step 3: Exhale (Count 1-2-3)

Demonstrate exhaling through the mouth, making the toy sink back down. Encourage a soft “whoosh.”

Let’s Practice Together!

Invite the student to join in. Point to the Practice Card and walk through one full breath together.

Remember…

Remind: “Anytime you feel worried, you can use balloon breaths to feel calm.”

Activity

Game

Worksheet

Lesson Plan

Session 3 Lesson Plan

Establish a predictable separation routine by introducing and sequencing goodbye steps, then practice via role-play and reflection to reduce anxiety around saying goodbye.

Predictable routines help young children feel secure and reduce uncertainty when separating from caregivers. Practicing the routine builds confidence and eases school drop-off worries.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Welcome and Mood Check

5 minutes

Step 2

Introduce the Goodbye Routine

7 minutes

Step 3

Sequence with Visual Cards

6 minutes

Step 4

Role-Play Goodbyes

8 minutes

Step 5

Reflect and Draw

4 minutes

Slide Deck

Goodbye Routine

Welcome the student and introduce the slide deck. Say: “Today we’ll learn a special routine to help you feel brave when saying goodbye to your grown-up!”

Step 1: Hug

Explain the first step. Ask: “Why is a hug a nice way to start our goodbye?”

Step 2: Wave

Describe the wave. Prompt: “What else can we do after a hug?”

Step 3: Secret Handshake

Introduce the secret handshake. Encourage creativity: “What special moves can we include?”

Step 4: See You Soon

Explain the farewell phrase. Prompt: “What words help remind us we'll see each other soon?”

Let’s Practice!

Invite the student to practice the full routine. Use puppets or toys to role-play each step.

Activity

Worksheet

Lesson Plan

Session 4 Lesson Plan

Guide the student to review and reinforce all learned coping strategies and support them in creating a personalized “Brave Toolbox,” then play a matching game and craft a bravery badge to solidify confidence.

Consolidating strategies and personalizing a coping toolkit empowers independence, boosts confidence, and equips the student to manage separation anxiety with familiar tools.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Welcome and Check-In

5 minutes

Step 2

Review Brave Strategies

7 minutes

Step 3

Strategy Sorting Game

8 minutes

Step 4

Build Your Brave Toolbox

5 minutes

Step 5

Craft a Bravery Badge

3 minutes

Step 6

Wrap-Up and Reflection

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Welcome to Your Brave Toolbox

Welcome the student and introduce today’s focus. Say: “Today we’re going to review all the brave tools you’ve learned and create your very own Brave Toolbox to help you at school!”

Step 1: Name Your Feeling

Ask: “What feeling are you having right now?” Show the Feeling Cards. Say: “Naming our feeling is the first step to feeling in control.”

Step 2: Balloon Breathing

Model one breath together. Say: “Remember, we breathe like a big balloon—inhale, hold, exhale.”

Step 3: Goodbye Routine

Prompt the student to say the four steps out loud. Use your fingers to trace each step.

What Is a Brave Toolbox?

Explain the concept: “A Toolbox holds tools that help us. Your Brave Toolbox holds your brave strategies so you can grab them anytime you need them.”

Fill Your Brave Toolbox

Ask the student: “Which three tools are your favorites? Where will you keep them?”

Use Your Brave Toolbox

Role-play a quick scenario: “It’s drop-off time—what tool will you choose from your Brave Toolbox?”