Unit Plan 8 (Grade K Counselor): Asking for Help

Focus: Teach students that asking for help is a safe and responsible choice. The counselor shows picture scenarios such as being hurt, feeling sad, losing something, or having a conflict with a friend. Students identify trusted adults and practice using words like “I need help,” “I feel scared,” or “Can you help me solve this?”

Grade Level: K

Subject Area: School Counseling (Help-Seeking • Trusted Adults • Big Feelings)

Total Unit Duration: 1–2 weeks, 30 minutes per session

I. Introduction

This Kindergarten counseling lesson helps students understand that asking for help is safe, brave, and responsible. Students learn that some feelings, problems, or school situations may feel too big to handle alone, and trusted adults at school can help students stay safe, calm down, solve problems, and know what to do next.

The counselor uses picture scenarios, trusted adult cards, puppet prompts, and simple help-seeking phrases to help students practice what to say when they need help. Students identify adults such as the teacher, school counselor, nurse, principal, playground helper, or family adult. The goal is for students to know that they do not have to handle big feelings, hurt bodies, lost items, worries, or conflicts alone.

Essential Questions

• What does it mean to ask for help?
• When might a student need help at school?
• Who are trusted adults at school?
• What can students say when a feeling feels too big?
• How can asking for help keep students safe and supported?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Identify situations when a student may need help, such as being hurt, feeling scared, feeling sad, losing something, or having a friend problem.
2. Name trusted adults at school who can help.
3. Recognize when a feeling may be too big to handle alone.
4. Practice help-seeking phrases such as “I need help,” “I feel scared,” “I feel really upset,” and “Can you help me solve this?”
5. Match simple school problems or big-feeling scenarios to safe adults who can help.
6. Explain that asking for help is a safe and responsible choice.
7. (Optional Session) Apply help-seeking skills through picture sorting, puppet practice, trusted adult matching, role-play, or a help card reflection.

Standards Alignment — Grade K (ASCA-based Custom)

• C:S2.Kc — Ask for Help with Big Feelings
  • Recognize when a feeling is too big to handle alone and identify a safe adult who can help.
  • Example: A student says, “I can ask my teacher or counselor when I feel really upset.”
• C:S6.Ka — Identify Trusted Adults
  • Name trusted adults at school and understand when to go to them for help.
  • Example: A student identifies the teacher, counselor, nurse, or principal as someone who can help.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can ask for help.
• I can name trusted adults at school.
• I can tell when a feeling feels too big.
• I can say, “I need help.”
• I can say, “I feel scared.”
• I can say, “Can you help me solve this?”
• I can remember that asking for help is safe and responsible.