Pre-Kindergarten Enriches Social-Emotional Learning with New Curriculum

Learners in today’s world are facing the challenge of navigating healthy screen time and (eventually) utilizing artificial intelligence with responsibility and integrity. It is more important than ever before that our very youngest learners practice skills and techniques for self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making skills.  Episcopal School of Jacksonville’s Pre-Kindergarten program will see exciting additions to the curriculum this year to make learning this important content engaging and fun!

Pre-K 3 students will utilize The Color Monster series, which includes books and colorful plush monster characters from the book series. Written by Anna Llenas, these resources help children understand and articulate their emotions through vibrant colors. The story follows a monster who wakes up with his feelings all mixed up, using colors to represent different emotions: Yellow represents happiness, blue represents sadness, red represents anger, gray represents fear, green represents calmness, and pink represents gentleness. This visual approach offers a tangible way for young children to grasp and discuss their feelings and how to manage them in a healthy way.

Pre-K 4 curriculum will introduce lightning bug characters named Shubert and Sophie. Through themed books and accompanying Shubert and Sophie puppets, Pre-K 4 students will learn how Shubert, Sophie and their friends navigate various challenges in order to provide context for teachable moments about composure, encouragement, assertiveness, choices, empathy, positive intent, and consequences. These skills are presented in a manner that resonates with young learners, providing dialogue and techniques to face challenging situations effectively.

Carley Baggs, Director of Pre-Primary, highlights the significance of picture books in this process. “Children’s picture books are invaluable for teaching emotional awareness because they connect with young readers and tell the story of life experiences that they likely find very familiar,” said Baggs. “Through relatable characters, illustrations, and plots depicting various situations and feelings, these books help children recognize and understand their own emotions, and provide language and tools for healthy practice.”