Lesson Plan

Session 1: Establishing Trust

Establish a secure, trusting environment through interactive activities that encourage the child to open up and engage in connection-building exercises.

Creating trust is essential for children with RAD, as it forms the foundation for emotional regulation and positive relationships moving forward.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation for Session 1

15 minutes

Step 1

Welcome and Warm-up

10 minutes

Step 2

Trust-Building Activity

25 minutes

Step 3

Group and Reflection Activity

15 minutes

Step 4

Closing Ritual

10 minutes

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Slide Deck

Welcome and Warm-up

Introduce the session by setting a welcoming, calm atmosphere. Remind yourself to use warm, engaging tones and gestures while showing the emotion cards. Emphasize that all emotions are welcome and that the session is a safe space.

Trust-Building Activity

Transition to the trust-building activity by introducing the story of trust. Ensure you prompt open-ended questions to facilitate discussion. Encourage the child to reflect on key moments in the story and relate it to their own experiences.

Group and Reflection Activity

For the reflection activity, gently prompt the child to share personal experiences. Use affirming language and provide supportive feedback to reinforce positive sharing. Notice any non-verbal cues to adjust your approach if needed.

Closing Ritual

Conclude the session with a calm, soothing closing ritual. Guide the child through a deep breathing exercise, reinforcing the importance of feeling safe and valued. End with a positive affirmation to encourage a hopeful outlook for future sessions.

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Reading

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Lesson Plan

Session 2: Exploring Emotions

Deepen the child's awareness of their own emotions and help them express these feelings through creative activities.

Exploring emotions in varied ways can empower the child to articulate feelings, leading to better emotional regulation and stronger interpersonal connections.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation for Session 2

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Emotion Recap

10 minutes

Step 2

Emotion Exploration Activity

20 minutes

Step 3

Creative Expression Through Art

20 minutes

Step 4

Reflection and Closing

10 minutes

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Slide Deck

Introduction and Emotion Recap

Begin the session by welcoming the child and reviewing different emotions using the emotion cards. Emphasize that it's okay to feel a range of emotions. Use clear examples and allow the child to share any new feelings they've experienced since the last session.

Emotion Exploration Activity

Transition to a guided conversation about emotions. Ask open-ended questions like, 'What makes you feel happy or sad?' Use simple language and relatable scenarios to discuss various emotions.

Creative Expression Through Art

Introduce the creative art activity where the child will get the chance to express their emotions through drawing or painting. Emphasize creative freedom and discuss colors or shapes that might represent different feelings.

Reflection and Closing

Wrap up the session by inviting the child to talk about their artwork and the feelings behind it. Reinforce that all feelings are valid, and conclude with a calming breathing exercise and a positive affirmation.

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Lesson Plan

Session 3: Building Connections

Enhance the child's social skills and foster connections through cooperative role-play and interactive games.

Building social connections is crucial for a child with RAD to develop empathy, communication, and trust in interpersonal relationships.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation for Session 3

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Warm-Up

10 minutes

Step 2

Role-Play Activity

25 minutes

Step 3

Cooperative Game

15 minutes

Step 4

Reflection and Closing

10 minutes

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Slide Deck

Introduction and Warm-Up

Begin the session by welcoming the child and briefly revisiting the concept of trust and emotions from previous sessions. Introduce the idea of building connections through simple greetings and expressions of kindness.

Role-Play Activity

Transition to the role-play activity. Explain the role-play scenario cards and encourage the child (and peers, if applicable) to act out different social situations. Prompt reflective questions to understand their feelings during the role-play.

Cooperative Game

Introduce the cooperative game. Provide clear instructions on the rules that highlight teamwork and supportive communication. Monitor interactions to provide gentle reminders and suggestions.

Reflection and Closing

Wrap up the session by inviting the child to share their experiences from both the role-play and cooperative game. Reinforce the value of empathy and active listening, ending with a positive affirmation.

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Lesson Plan

Session 4: Emotional Regulation

Teach the child practical techniques to recognize, understand, and regulate their emotions through mindfulness exercises and role-playing calming strategies.

Helping the child develop self-regulation skills is essential for managing intense emotional responses and building resilience in stressful situations associated with RAD.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation for Session 4

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Emotion Check-In

10 minutes

Step 2

Mindful Breathing Exercise

20 minutes

Step 3

Calming Role-Play Activity

20 minutes

Step 4

Reflection and Closing

10 minutes

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Slide Deck

Introduction and Emotion Check-In

Start by welcoming the child and reviewing the concept of emotions. Use this slide to recognize current feelings with a reminder to refer to the emotion cards if needed.

Mindful Breathing Exercise

Transition into the mindful breathing exercise. Use the visuals provided in the mindful breathing activity to explain the steps clearly. Remind yourself to speak slowly and guide the child through each step.

Calming Role-Play Activity

Introduce a calming role-play scenario to practice gentle responses to stress. Explain the scenario and encourage the child to try out calming responses like deep breaths and positive self-talk.

Reflection and Closing

Conclude the session by inviting the child to share their experiences and feelings about the exercises. Reinforce self-regulation benefits, and close with another brief calming exercise and affirmation.

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Lesson Plan

Session 5: Celebrating Growth

Reflect on personal growth and celebrate achievements to reinforce positive changes and build self-confidence.

Celebrating progress encourages the child to recognize their efforts, fosters self-esteem, and motivates them to continue practicing healthy emotional and social skills.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation for Session 5

15 minutes

Step 1

Reflection Discussion

15 minutes

Step 2

Celebration Craft Activity

25 minutes

Step 3

Group Reflection and Sharing

10 minutes

Step 4

Closing Celebration

10 minutes

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Slide Deck

Reflection Discussion

Begin the session by welcoming the child and reflecting on the journey so far. Encourage the child to look back at the progress made and connect with their feelings using the emotion cards as visual prompts.

Celebration Craft Activity

Introduce the celebration craft activity. Explain the steps of the craft and encourage creativity. Emphasize that the craft is a symbol of their achievements and growth.

Group Reflection and Sharing

Invite the child to share their craft and discuss the emotions tied to their journey. Use affirmations and gentle prompts to reinforce positive growth.

Closing Celebration

Conclude the session with a fun, celebratory closing. Reinforce the child’s success with a small token of achievement and a strong, positive affirmation.

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Activity

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Building Bonds: Healing Hearts

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Rhyannon Shuck

Tier 3
For Districts
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