Mental Wellness Lesson Plans and Activities for Teachers

According to a survey by First Book, 98% of educators say mental health challenges act as a barrier to children’s education.

The Kids Mental Health Foundation is here to help. Use these free materials in your classrooms to support your students’ mental health.

Two young boys smiling and reading a book together in a brightly colored classroom or library, promoting peer connection and early childhood literacy."

 

Taking Care: An Educator Guide to Healthy Habits for Student Emotional Wellness (grades 1-8)

Developed in partnership with First Book, this guide contains best practices and activities to enhance mental fitness and resiliency and decrease stress and anxiety. It also includes self-care tips for educators.
Taking Care Guide

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Empathy in Action: How to Create Welcoming Learning Environments

Valuing and validating children’s diverse needs and experiences is key to creating a space where all students feel they belong. This sense of belonging is a prerequisite for optimal development and learning.

Cover of 'Empathy in Action: How to Create Welcoming Learning Environments,' a collaborative resource by First Book and The Kids Mental Health Foundation. Features a smiling teacher with diverse students standing in front of a chalkboard. 

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Meet the Mooderators

The Mooderators (grades 1-4)

The Kids Mental Health Foundation teamed up with GoNoodle to provide videos and resources to talk about big feelings in children with The Mooderators. Skylar and Clara, “The Mooderators,” talk to kids about how to express themselves and to get kids up and moving. Each episode contains a guide so you can talk about it in the classroom.
The Mooderators

 

Building Classroom Connections (grades k-8)

Creating a sense of belonging and community in the classroom contributes to fostering the overall social-emotional and mental health of students. These are essential to ensuring that students are in the optimal environment for learning and engagement in academic activities.
Page from the 'What I Need To Feel Like I Belong' lesson kit by The Kids Mental Health Foundation. Includes a letter to educators about fostering student belonging through empathy and inclusive classroom practices.
Smiling child with long dark hair poses with hands on cheeks in front of a navy background, next to the phrase 'Emotional Empowerment,' supporting kids’ mental health and self-awareness.

Emotional Empowerment (grades 1-6)

This program, created with the educational experts at Young Minds Inspired, helps students identify and manage their emotions with step-by-step instructions for teachers. Activities are broken down by grades 1-3 and 4-6 and are available in Spanish. There’s also a certificate to give students once they complete the activities. A reproducible parent letter is also included (in both English and Spanish). Curriculum standards are provided.
Student with backpack smiles against a purple background with the message 'Take a Day Time Break,' encouraging mental wellness breaks for middle schoolers.

Day Time Break (middle and high school)

These lessons cover mental health facts, dispel myths and develop practical strategies for building empathy and improving self-care. This curriculum, provided by the generosity of the Christina and Ryan Day Fund for Pediatric and Adolescent Mental Wellness, is for middle and high school and includes educator and family tip sheets, printable posters and more. Both curriculums are available in Spanish.

Young girl with braided hair rests her chin on her hand in front of a green background with the text 'Share Your Feelings,' promoting emotional expression in children.

Share Your Feelings (grades 3-5)

This program, created with the educational experts at Young Minds Inspired is designed for older elementary school students to explore their feelings more deeply and offers ideas for coping with stress. There are resources on how to engage kids in conversation, fun activities and a letter for parents and caregivers. The activities and letter are also provided in Spanish.
Teen with long dark hair stands against a blue background next to the text 'Handling Strong Feelings,' promoting emotional regulation resources from Kids Mental Health Foundation.

Handling Strong Emotions (grades k-8)

Students will identify feelings, explore coping strategies and connect feelings, empathy and kindness. These skills and tools can help build a supportive school environment and a culture of positivity and acceptance.

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