Lesson 203: What makes me happy

❤️ SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (40 Lessons) • 🟢 A. Understanding Myself

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Objective

I can notice what makes me feel happy in my day. I can name people, places, and activities that bring me joy and say simple "I feel happy when…" sentences.

Materials

Mini-lesson — Everyday happy moments

Happiness is a feeling. It is what we feel on the inside when something is good, kind, or enjoyable.

What can make us happy?

  • People: playing with a friend, a hug from a parent, time with family.
  • Places: a favourite park, a cosy reading corner, a sunny spot.
  • Activities: drawing, building, skating, reading, singing, playing games.

Different people, different happy

  • One person feels happy playing outside.
  • Another person feels happy reading quietly.
  • Both kinds of happy are okay.

"I feel happy when…" sentences

  • "I feel happy when I ride my scooter."
  • "I feel happy when I draw pictures."
  • "I feel happy when my family eats together."

We are not happy all the time. It is normal to feel many feelings. This lesson helps us notice and enjoy happy moments when they come.

Picture strip: Three happy moments

Guided Practice — My happy things list

You and an adult will make a simple list of what makes you happy.

  1. Fold a page in half. On one side, write or trace the title "What makes me happy".
  2. With the adult, think of people that make you feel happy. The adult writes or you trace a few, such as "my friend", "my sister", "Grandma".
  3. Think of places that make you happy, such as "the park", "the beach", "my bedroom". Add them to the list.
  4. Think of activities that make you happy, such as "drawing", "skating", "reading", "building". Add them too.
  5. Now choose one item from your list and say a full sentence: "I feel happy when I…" (for example, "I feel happy when I play at the park.").
  6. Practise two or three more "I feel happy when…" sentences with the adult listening and smiling.
Tracing Pad
Tracing snapshot for print
Tip: As you trace, say a full sentence, such as "I feel happy when I draw with my friend."

Practice — My happy moments picture

Use this practice to help your child see and name happy moments in their day.

  1. Draw a big circle on your page. At the top, an adult writes or you trace the title "My happy moments".
  2. Inside the circle, divide it into three parts like a simple pizza. Label them with the adult's help: "Morning", "Day", "Evening".
  3. Think of one happy moment from the morning (for example, breakfast with family, a hug, a song on the way to school). Draw a small picture in the morning section.
  4. Think of one happy moment from the daytime (for example, playing at break, reading a book, building with blocks). Draw that in the day section.
  5. Think of one happy moment from the evening (for example, story time, a warm bath, talking with family). Draw that in the evening section.
  6. For each picture, the adult helps you write or trace a short sentence next to it, such as:
    • "I feel happy in the morning when…"
    • "I feel happy in the day when…"
    • "I feel happy in the evening when…"
  7. Read your sentences aloud together. Notice how many small happy moments are in your day.

Quick Check — What makes me happy

Answer each question about happiness, happy moments, and "I feel happy when…" sentences.

1) What is happiness?

Happiness is a feeling of joy or goodness on the inside.

2) Which could be a happy moment?

Playing a fun game with a friend can feel happy.

3) Which sentence is a good "I feel happy when…" sentence?

"I feel happy when…" sentences talk about your own happy feeling.

4) Your friend says, "I feel happy when I read my favourite book." What does this mean?

It means the book gives your friend a happy feeling.

5) Which is true about what makes people happy?

Different people can feel happy about different things.

6) Which moment is most likely to be happy?

A kind hug from a trusted adult is often a happy moment.

7) Which sentence shows you are noticing a small happy moment?

Noticing the bright sky as a happy moment is a small joy.

8) Which action can help you enjoy happy feelings more?

Sharing happy moments and saying "Thank you" can grow joy.

9) Which sentence is true about feelings?

It is okay to feel many different feelings, not just happy.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

The goal is to notice what makes us happy and talk about it in a kind way.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

Next time I will practise…

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