Health Resources for Schools
Social-Emotional Learning in Early Years
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Research on early brain development tells us that the early years are the most crucial time for children to develop brain connections and skills that will benefit them throughout their life (Strong Minds Strong Kids, Psychology Canada. (2026). Kids Have Stress Too: Preschool and Kindergarten Program Guide.).
Social-emotional skills include:
- identifying and managing emotions
- recognizing sources of stress and coping with challenges
- maintaining positive motivation and perseverance
- building relationships and communicating effectively
- developing self-awareness and self-confidence
- thinking critically and creatively
Resources for
Social-Emotional Learning
- School Mental Health Ontario Activities - These resources support the Ontario Kindergarten self-regulation and wellbeing strand.
- Kindergarten Connections - Designed to assist educators with the implementation of mental health promotion activities as part of their daily classroom activities. Each lesson includes a class activity and resources to share with home and community partners.
- Virtual Field Trips - A series of virtual field trips embedded in three-part lesson plans. Each lesson includes a minds-on activity, a pre-recorded virtual field trip session, and a consolidation activity.
- TVO Learn Activities - These resources contain activities related to all 4 strands of the 2026 Ontario Kindergarten Curriculum. Each activity contains three sections: Minds on, Action, and Consolidation.
- Activities for Ontario Curriculum Strand C: Self Regulation and Wellbeing
- Social Skills – C.14
- Kids Have Stress Too! - Preschool and Kindergarten Toolbox Activities *Free with registration
- Kids Have Stress Too! - Preschool and Kindergarten Program *Low-cost digital resource
- Self regulation – C.15
- Understanding health concepts – C.16
- Active Participation – C.17
- Social Skills – C.14
- Activities for Ontario Curriculum Strand D: Belonging and Contributing
- Identity and Self Image – D.19
- School Mental Health Ontario - Daily greeting Activity
- School Mental Health Ontario - Adjectives About Me Activity
- TVO Learn - Belonging and Contributing
- School Mental Health Ontario - Daily greeting Activity
- Identity and Self Image – D.19
- Self Confidence – D. 21
- School Mental Health Ontario - The Power of Yet Activity
- School Mental Health Ontario - The “I” in Image Activity
- TVO Learn - Belonging and Contributing
- School Mental Health Ontario - The Power of Yet Activity
- School Mental Health Ontario’s Kindergarten Connections activities: Includes activity cards for home use; to complement the lesson completed in class.
- Lesson 1 – The take home card includes instructions for deep belly breathing. Available in English or French.
- Lesson 2 – The take home card includes instructions for muscle relaxation for managing big feelings. Available in English or French.
- Lesson 3 – The take home link includes a story about noticing and naming feelings. Available in English or French.
- Lesson 4 – The take home card includes instructions on how to practice 4 finger affirmations. Available in English or French.
- Lesson 5 – The take home card includes instructions on how to play emotion charades. Available in English or French.
- Lesson 6 – The take home link includes a story about individual strengths and identities. Available in English or French.
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