The Kimochis elementary probram is a universal, school-based, social emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum designed to give children the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to recognize and manage their emotions, demonstrate caring and concern for others, establish positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and handle challenging situations constructively. These skills have been identified by leading researchers in the field of social and emotional learning as necessary for school success, academic achievement, positive social relationships and the development of emotional competence. The Kimochis elementary program incorporates innovative and fun activities developed to teach children how to manage challenging social situations with skill, character and confidence. Click for Lesson Overview
The Kimochis lessons help students become more aware of their own feelings and how they communicate, not only with their words, but also with their facial expressions and body language. Kimochis help children learn to identify with the feelings of others, too. Additionally, the middle school children can act as mentors and teach the skills to the younger students.
Don't have a Tool Kit?
The Kimochis Educator’s Tool Kit for Grades 1-5 includes:
- (5) 13-Inch Kimochis characters (Bug, Cat, Cloud, Huggtopus, Lovey Dove)
- (1) large Mixed Bag of Feelings (includes 33 feeling pillows)
- Kimochis Nesting Heart
- 296-page curriculum
The activities in the Kimochis Feel Guide Elementary Edition:
- Link directly with Common Core Standards
- Teach the 40 Developmental Assets
- Follow the Five SEL Core Competencies from CASEL
- Provide the communication tools to create a caring school community
Guiding Principles
- Excellent communication skills are at the heart of social-emotional competence.
- Feelings fuel behavior. Children can learn to use tools to help themselves in difficult emotional moments. These social-emotional communication tools can support positive behavior.
- Five principles of character education guide the Kimochis. We believe that children can learn to be respectful, responsible, resilient, compassionate, kind, and brave.
- Each child is an individual. Differentiated instruction and assistance can help children who are more challenged to develop their social-emotional competence.
- Inclusive education (education which includes all children, regardless of their differences) is imperative to social-emotional development.
- Social-emotional instruction goes hand-in-hand with academic instruction.
- Social-emotional learning takes place throughout the school day in many different learning situations and natural environments.
- Children need opportunities to practice newly learned skills in order to internalize them.
- Adults in the elementary school community can have a significant influence on children’s social-emotional development through intentional teaching, guidance, coaching, and acknowledgement.
- Educators have an opportunity to contribute to powerful and socially meaningful change with children and their parents.
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This program includes a number of ways to support positive parenting and create strong school to home connections. Parents and caregivers are a child’s first and most important teacher. When parents (or caregivers) and educators are “on the same page,” children receive a consistent message that promotes learning and supports a positive connection. The more communication and teamwork that can occur between parents and educators, the more children will benefit.