FIVE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL READ ALOUDS FOR PRESCHOOL
Read alouds, read alouds, and more read alouds! I love introducing various topics in social emotional learning through read alouds. Stories have a way of introducing each important topic in bite-sized way that allows students to be able to take in the important message at hand while learning techniques that can guide them throughout their time in your class and well into the future. Whether it’s the beginning of the school year or you’re looking for stories to help readdress a social emotional principle or topic at hand, these five real alouds can help you.
In this blog post, I share five stories that I’ve used in my class to support social emotional learning. These five read alouds touch on managing emotions, building perseverance, kindness, and self-awareness. Each picture book is beautifully written and includes captivating illustrations that encourage learners of all ages. You can click on each book below to purchase on Amazon or click the links in each book’s short bio to find a YouTube read aloud version.
THE MAGICAL YET
The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi introduces the idea that from the day we were born, each and every one of us is accompanied by a special friend called the Magical Yet. Yet helps the main character to realize that even though you may not be able to do something now, with a little hard work and practice we can and will emerge into the best versions of ourselves. If you’re looking for a digital version of the The Magical Yet, you can find it on YouTube by clicking here.
MY MOUTH IS A VOLCANO
My Mouth Is A Volcano by Julia Cook takes an empathetic approach to the habit of interrupting and teaches children a technique to help them manage their thoughts and words. The main character, Louis, always interrupts. All of his thoughts are very important to him, and when he has something to say, his mouth erupts like a volcano. But when others begin to interrupt Louis, he learns how to wait for his turn to talk. I read this story at the beginning of the school year to introduce the topic of interrupting and ultimately stressed the importance that active listening shows kindness to those around us. This book is also a great book to use throughout the school year as a way to refresh your students memory or readdress the topic later on down the line. If you’re looking for a digital version of My Mouth is a Volcano, you can find it on YouTube by clicking here.
YOU GET WHAT YOU GET
You Get What You Get by Julie Gassman follows Melvin, the main character, who always throws a fit when he doesn't get what he wants. Follow Melvin on his journey and he learns how to deal with disappointment and manage his emotions. I read this story with my class during the first half of the school year but this is always a great book to relate back to throughout the school year. In the story, Melvin learns the phrase “you get what you get and you don’t throw a fit” but some students may know the phrase as “you get what you get and you don’t get upset.” Either way, the story is very simple and easy to follow and helps students learn the importance concepts in a simple and easy way. If you’re looking for a digital version of You Get What You Get, you can find it on YouTube by clicking here.
SUPER SATYA SAVES THE DAY
Super Satya Saves the Day by Raakhee Mirchandani follows the main character Super Satya. Super Satya is ready to have a super day, including finally conquering the tallest slide in Hoboken. But things take a turn when she realizes her superhero cape is stuck at the dry cleaner. Super Satya Saves the Day, introduces Satya, an Indian-American superhero, who is ready to save the day, even if she doesn't always know it right away. I love reading Super Satya Saves the Day to my class each year. Especially when the real-life Satya attends my school. The story narrows down to the central truth that we can all be superheroes and spread kindness everyday, even when we aren’t wearing a cape. If you’re looking for a digital version of Super Satya Saves the Day, you can find it on YouTube by clicking here.
THE WORLD NEEDS MORE PURPLE PEOPLE
The World Needs More Purple People by Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart is a witty take on kindness and self-awareness. Purple people ask really great questions, bring their family, friends, and communities together, and they speak up for what’s right. They are kind and hardworking, and they love to laugh. The main character, Penny Purple, will lead you through the steps to help you become a purple person. I read this story to my class this year in early January and they simply ate it up. They loved guessing what it meant to be a purple person and by the end of the story, they all realized that they too were purple people. If you’re looking for a digital version of The World Needs More Purple People, you can find it on YouTube by clicking here.
