Lesson Plan

Sunny Check-In Lesson Plan

Students will learn to identify and express their current feelings using visual emotion cards and establish a simple Check In/Check Out routine to start and end their day with awareness and calm.

Teaching a consistent Check In/Check Out routine helps preschoolers recognize emotions early, supports self-regulation, reduces challenging behaviors, and builds confidence in making positive choices.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up and Introduce

2 minutes

Step 2

Label Emotions

3 minutes

Step 3

Model Check In

4 minutes

Step 4

Practice Check In

3 minutes

Step 5

Explain Check Out Routine

2 minutes

Step 6

Closing Praise and Token Reward

1 minute

Lesson Plan

Morning Check-In Plan

Students will identify and express their current feelings using visual emotion cards, practice a simple Check-In routine with sticker tokens, and understand they’ll use the same process to Check-Out at day’s end.

Launching the day with a structured Check-In builds self-awareness, reduces challenging behaviors, and reinforces positive choices, helping preschoolers feel supported and ready.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up and Introduce

2 minutes

Step 2

Label Emotions

3 minutes

Step 3

Model Check-In

4 minutes

Step 4

Practice Check-In

3 minutes

Step 5

Explain Check-Out Routine

2 minutes

Step 6

Closing Praise and Reflection

1 minute

Slide Deck

Welcome to Check-In Time!

Greet the child warmly and set a positive tone. Explain why we’re checking in: to share feelings and start the day feeling good.

How Are You Feeling Today?

Hold up each [Emotion Expression Card](#emotion-expression-cards) and name the feeling aloud. Encourage the child to point.

3 Easy Check-In Steps

Show the [Check In/Check Out Visual Guide](#checkin-visual-guide). Walk through each step slowly, modeling with your own feeling and placing a token.

Let’s Practice Together

Guide the child through each step, giving praise at each point. Physically hand them a token when it’s time to stick it.

And Don’t Forget Check-Out!

Explain that at the end of the day they’ll follow the same steps to “check out” and share how their day went.

You Did It!

Celebrate the child’s participation. Ask a simple reflection question to encourage self-awareness.

Lesson Plan

Sunny Check-In Lesson Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

Step 1

Warm-Up and Introduce

Step 2

Label Emotions

Step 3

Model Check In

Step 4

Practice Check In

Step 5

Explain Check Out Routine

Step 6

Closing Praise and Token Reward

Lesson Plan

Morning Check-In Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

Step 1

Warm-Up and Introduce

Step 2

Label Emotions

Step 3

Model Check-In

Step 4

Practice Check-In

Step 5

Explain Check-Out Routine

Step 6

Closing Praise and Reflection

Slide Deck

Welcome to Check-In Time!

How Are You Feeling Today?

3 Easy Check-In Steps

Let’s Practice Together

And Don’t Forget Check-Out!

You Did It!

Worksheet

Reading

Activity

Morning Check-In Magic

Emory Read