Unit Plan 29 (Grade K Counselor): Who Can Help Me?

Focus: Review trusted adults and when to ask for help. Students identify people at school who can help with different needs, such as the teacher, counselor, nurse, principal, secretary, or playground supervisor. The counselor uses matching cards where students connect a problem to a helpful adult.

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 remember that they do not have to solve every problem or big feeling alone. Students review trusted adults at school and learn that different adults can help with different needs, such as feeling sick, feeling upset, needing directions, having a friendship problem, seeing something unsafe, or needing help on the playground.

The counselor uses picture cards, role cards, puppet scenarios, and matching activities to help students connect common school problems to helpful adults. Students practice help-seeking words such as “I need help,” “I feel really upset,” “Can you help me?” and “Something feels unsafe.” The goal is for students to feel confident knowing who can help, when to ask, and how to use safe words to get support.

Essential Questions

• Who are trusted adults at school?
• What kinds of problems can trusted adults help with?
• When should students ask for help?
• What can students say when a feeling feels too big?
• How can asking for help keep students safe, calm, and ready to learn?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Name trusted adults at school, such as teacher, counselor, nurse, principal, secretary, playground supervisor, cafeteria helper, or office staff.
2. Identify situations when students should ask an adult for help.
3. Recognize when a feeling may be too big to handle alone.
4. Match common school needs or problems to helpful trusted adults.
5. Practice help-seeking phrases such as “I need help,” “I feel upset,” “Can you help me?” and “Something feels unsafe.”
6. Explain that asking for help is a safe and responsible choice.
7. (Optional Session) Apply trusted-adult and help-seeking skills through puppet practice, matching cards, school problem scenarios, feeling cards, role-play scripts, or a reflection page.

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 name trusted adults at school.
• I can ask for help when I need it.
• I can say, “I need help.”
• I can say, “Can you help me?”
• I can ask for help when my feeling is too big.
• I can tell an adult if something feels unsafe.
• I can match a problem to an adult who can help.