Update 9/23/22:

Welcome to Kindergarten! I have been having so much fun getting to know all of your kiddos. I get to teach Social Emotional Learning to all of your students every week. I am also hoping to provide regular updates on what we are covering in lessons so that you can support your kiddos at home with common language and practice. Kinder students are going to spend the first few weeks of school with me learning about Kelso the frog and the choices students can use when they have a small problem.                                                               
Kelso the frog teaches students how to solve “small” problems on their own. “Small” problems include conflicts that cause “small” feelings of annoyance, embarrassment, boredom, etc. “BIG problems” always need to be taken to an adult. These are situations that are scary, dangerous, illegal, etc. 
  
Kelso has nine choices to solve “small problems.” These are illustrated in the Kelso’s Choice Wheel. They include: 
•    Go to another game 
•    Talk it out 
•    Share and take turns 
•    Ignore it 
•    Walk away 
•    Tell them to stop 
•    Apologize 
•    Make a deal 
•    Wait and cool off 
When a child comes to you to solve their “small problem,” tell them to try one to two of Kelso’s Choices first. If that doesn’t work, then an adult can intervene. Make sure your kids know to ask an adult for help in the event of a “BIG problem.” https://kelsoschoice.com/free-resources/for-parents/ 

Kelso’s Choice wheel: 

Please let me know if you have any questions!

-Kate Kanin kkanin@lwsd.org