Empathic Listening Curriculum
The Empathic Listening Curriculum is designed to help elementary students (grades Kindergarten-2nd) develop essential communication skills, with a focus on empathic listening, social awareness, and relationship-building. The curriculum includes ten core lessons that build upon each other, integrating social- emotional learning (SEL) competencies and aligning with the Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities’ mission.
Curriculum Structure
Grade Level: Pre-K
Total Lessons: 12
Duration: Each lesson is designed to be delivered in a 30-40 minute session.
Instructional Strategies: Interactive activities, each lesson starts with a read aloud, text-based discussion, role-playing, group discussions, self-reflection, and real-world application exercises.
Lesson Plan
#1
What are feelings?
Objective: By the end of the lesson, children will be able to identify age-appropriate feelings, including happy, sad, angry, and excited.
Key Concepts: sense of self; recognize and describe emotions
Standards: Emotional functioning, Goal P-SE 6: Child expresses a broad range of emotions and recognizes these emotions in self and others.
#2
How big are our feelings?
Objective: By the end of the lesson, children will be introduced to different intensities of feelings (e.g., a little happy, very excited).
Key Concepts: sense of self; recognize and describe emotions
Standards: Emotional functioning, Goal P-SE 6: Child expresses a broad range of emotions and recognizes these emotions in self and others.
#3
How do we express our feelings?
Objective: By the end of the lesson, children will be able to express their feelings to peers and adults.
Key Concepts: recognize and describe emotions; building relationships with peers and adults
Standards: Emotional functioning, Goal P-SE 6: Child expresses a broad range of emotions and recognizes these emotions in self and others.
#4
How can we calm down when we feel upset?
Objective: By the end of the lesson, children will be introduced to an emotion regulation tool to use when they are feeling intense feelings (e.g., very excited, very angry).
Key Concepts: managing emotions; self confidence
Standards:
i. Emotional functioning, Goal P-SE 6: Child expresses a broad range of emotions and recognizes these emotions in self and others.
ii. Emotional functioning, Goal P-SE 8: Child manages emotions with increasing independence.
#5
Using Self-Control
Objective: By the end of the lesson, children will practice self- control by inhibiting their responses during play.
Key Concepts: managing behaviors; focus and attention; self-confidence; listening; turn taking
Standards: Emotional Functioning, Goal P-SE 8. Child manages emotions with increasing independence.
#6
Practicing Mindfulness
Objective: By the end of the lesson, children will be introduced to and practice mindfulness.
Key Concepts: sense of self: managing emotions and behaviors; focus and attention; self confidence
Standards: Emotional Functioning, Goal P-SE 8. Child manages emotions with increasing independence
#7
What does it mean to be a friend?
Objective: By the end of the lesson, children will be introduced to the actions that make someone a kind friend, such as kindness, sharing, and helping.
Key Concepts: empathy; peer relationships
Standards:
i.Relationships with Other Children, Goal P-SE 3. Child engages in and maintains positive interactions and relationships with other children.
ii.Relationships with Other Children, Goal P-SE 4. Child engages in cooperative play with other children.
#8
What do we do when we have a problem? (Part 1)
Objective: By the end of the lesson, children will be introduced to problem solving and steps to solve a problem.
Key Concepts: problem-solving; empathy; perspective taking; relationships with peers and adults
Standards:
i.Relationships with Other Children, Goal P-SE 4. Child engages in cooperative play with other children.
ii.Relationships with Other Children, Goal P-SE 5. Child uses basic problem-solving skills to resolve conflicts with other children.
#9
What do we do when we have a problem? (Part 2)
Objective: By the end of the lesson, children will be introduced to up to 13 different solutions to common social problems and practice applying these solutions.
Key Concepts: problem-solving; empathy; perspective taking; relationships with peers and adults
Standards:
i.Relationships with Other Children, Goal P-SE 4. Child engages in cooperative play with other children.
ii.Relationships with Other Children, Goal P-SE 5. Child uses basic problem-solving skills to resolve conflicts with other children.
#10
What does it mean to be a listener?
Objective: By the end of the lesson, children will be introduced to key components of listening and practice these skills with peers.
Key Concepts: listening; turn taking; empathy; perspective taking
Standards:
i.Relationships with Other Children, Goal P-SE 3. Child engages in and maintains positive interactions and relationships with other children.
ii.Goal P-SE 2. Child engages in prosocial and cooperative behavior with adults.
#11
Having a Conversation
Objective: By the end of the lesson, children will be introduced to key components of conversations and practice these skills with their peers.
Key Concepts: listening; turn taking; empathy; perspective taking
Standards:
i.Relationships with Other Children, Goal P-SE 3. Child engages in and maintains positive interactions and relationships with other children.
ii.Relationships with Adults, Goal P-SE 2. Child engages in prosocial and cooperative behavior with adults.
#12
How are we similar and different?
Objective: By the end of the lesson, children will be able to identify and appreciate similarities and differences between themselves and others.
Key Concepts: sense of self; empathy; perspective taking
Standards:
i.Sense of Identity and Belonging, Goal P-SE 9. Child recognizes self as a unique individual having own abilities, characteristics, emotions, and interests.
ii.Sense of Identity and Belonging, Goal P-SE 11. Child has sense of belonging to family, community, and other groups.