Preschool Social Emotional Curriculum

A social–emotional curriculum provides tools, resources, and guidance for teachers to help children develop the social and emotional knowledge, skills, and abilities important for success in school and in life. Ideally, a social–emotional curriculum intended for use in preschool programs is developmentally appropriate and engaging for children and includes important related professional learning for teachers.

Al’s Pals is designed to be implemented in programs that serve children ages 3 to 6.

Al’s Pals is an evidence-based, comprehensive social–emotional learning curriculum and professional development program designed to meet the specific needs of preschool children. With both print and digital curriculum resources, Al’s Pals promotes resiliency in children ages 3–6 through the development of social–emotional skills, including self-control, problem-solving, and healthy decision-making.

Al’s Pals has been recognized by several important organizations for its effectiveness.

• Designated CASEL SELect Program by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)
• Rated highest level of evidence of effectives in the Social–Emotional Preschool Curriculum Consumer Report by The National Center on Quality Teaching and Learning
• Designated Model Program by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• Designated Effective School-Based Intervention Program by the Safe, Disciplines, and Drug-Free Schools Expert Panel of the US Department of Education

Al’s Pals includes 52 lessons that guide educators in facilitating group activities through interactive lessons, engaging puppets, original music, and impactful teaching approaches. Curriculum content covers a broad range of important social-emotional skills that children need for success in school and in life. Content is divided into four categories.

• Identification and expression of feelings
• Relationships and respectful communication
• Safe and unsafe substances and situations
• Problem-solving

Al’s Pals is intended to help young children develop knowledge, skills, and abilities that will prepare them to tackle life’s inevitable challenges.

With engaging lessons and effective teaching approaches, Al’s Pals

• helps children learn to manage feelings and behaviors;
• cultivates conflict-resolution and problem-solving skills;
• builds positive relationships;
• helps prevents bullying;
• creates caring, cooperative classrooms;
• teaches children to make healthy choices; and
• promotes authentic partnerships with children’s families.

Yes. Al’s Pals is an evidence-based prevention program. Here’s a link to a peer-reviewed journal that supports the effectiveness of a social–emotional learning curriculum for young children.

With 52 lessons to choose from, educators can engage preschool children in large-group settings twice a week for 20 minutes each. The flexibility of the lessons enables teachers to implement social–emotional learning instruction in ways that complement their other curricula.

The SEL curriculum provides family letters, which are available in English and Spanish and include social–emotional learning topics that families and caregivers reinforce with children at home. The letters also include links to Al’s Pals songs, allowing children to sing and listen to it outside of the classroom.

Al’s Pals guides educators to identify and celebrate different identities and cultures in the classroom. The curriculum’s resources help teachers encourage children to discuss their own experiences and learn to embrace others and their uniqueness.