Self-Compassion
GRADES K-2

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Learning Goal

Students will understand the importance of self-compassion.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lessons, students will be able to:

  • Identify the importance of self-compassion
  • Identify methods for practicing self-compassion
Learning Summary

Practicing self-compassion is correlated with greater levels of happiness, optimism, life satisfaction, and success. This lesson introduces students to the concepts of self-compassion, taking the skill of practicing compassion towards others and applying it to themselves.

The lesson starts with a Mindful Moment in which students simply write or draw the things that make them happy. The lesson then moves to defining and identifying the importance of self-compassion. The Munchy and Jumpy story then tells the story of the time Jumpy forgot her mother’s birthday and as a result is extremely hard on herself. She learns how to be compassionate to herself. Students then draw a picture of themselves looking into a mirror with kind words and thoughts surrounding it. The class finishes with a journal reflection on their favorite part of the story.

computer icon Online Teaching Tips for Self-Compassion

Use the Munchy and Jumpy story for this lesson as the main focus teaching students the idea of fostering self-compassion. For both live and recorded, make sure students have access to the Me in the Mirror worksheet. Make sure to add in your own personal examples of how you practice self-compassion! 

For a live delivery, after the Munchy and Jumpy story, provide students time to fill in their own Me the Mirror printout. Consider playing some music and having students turn off their cameras to focus on self-compassion. Have students show their Me in the Mirrors when they are all done as a class through their cameras.

For the mindful moment, make sure to provide your students with enough time to write and reflect. The Me in the Mirror activity can be done as homework or after the story is read.

CASEL Competencies

Self-awareness: The abilities to understand one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts. This includes capacities to recognize one’s strengths and limitations with a well-grounded sense of confidence and purpose.