aidemia--modules-courseplan_type	Create a plan of a course
Which subject	Personal development
What age group	Reception / Kindergarten
What topic	Emotions and Feelings
Number of lessons	10
Split into modules
Add goal and aims
Add intro
Add references
Any other preferences	children are all deaf or hard of hearing so program must be tailored to meet their needs, limited vocabulary, needs to be vocabulary building as well as skills

Course Plan: Emotions and Feelings for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children in Reception/Kindergarten

Introduction

Welcome to the "Emotions and Feelings" course designed specifically for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children in Reception/Kindergarten! This engaging and interactive course aims to introduce young learners to the world of emotions and feelings through a combination of visual aids, hands-on activities, and fun storytelling.

Given the unique communication needs of our students, this course will incorporate Auslan (Australian Sign Language), visual props, and simple vocabulary-building techniques to help them express their emotions effectively. By the end of this course, students will not only expand their emotion-related vocabulary but also develop an understanding of how to express and manage their feelings.

Course Goal

The primary goal of this course is to enhance the emotional literacy of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children by teaching them to identify, express, and understand their emotions and those of others.

Aims

• To introduce vocabulary related to emotions and feelings.
• To develop skills in identifying and expressing emotions.
• To promote understanding and empathy towards others' feelings.
• To encourage positive emotional expression and coping strategies.

Course Modules and Lessons

Module 1: Introduction to Emotions

Lesson 1: What Are Emotions?

• Introduction to the concept of emotions using simple visuals.
• Auslan signs for basic emotions: happy, sad, angry, scared.

Lesson 2: Identifying Emotions in Ourselves

• Activities: Mirror Play (exploring facial expressions) and Emotion Charades.
• Discussion: When do we feel these emotions?

Module 2: Understanding Feelings

Lesson 3: Feelings and their Causes

• Interactive storytime to identify emotions in characters.
• Use of visuals to connect feelings to situations.

Lesson 4: Sharing Our Feelings

• Group activity: Emotion Circles – expressing how they feel using signs and drawings.
• Vocabulary reinforcement: More specific emotions (excited, nervous, frustrated).

Module 3: Expressing Emotions

Lesson 5: How to Express Emotions Safely

• Role-playing safe and unsafe ways to express feelings.
• Focus on non-verbal communication for emotions.

Lesson 6: Using Art to Express Feelings

• Art activity: Creating emotion masks (happy, sad, angry) and share their creations.
• Identifying emotions in their artwork.

Module 4: Empathy and Understanding Others

Lesson 7: Recognising Emotions in Others

• Peer Activities: Emotion Recognition games (e.g., showing emotions through signs).
• Discuss how others might feel in different situations.

Lesson 8: Building Friendships Through Understanding Feelings

• Group games that foster empathy (e.g., “How would you feel?” scenarios).
• Discussion on sharing and supporting each other's feelings.

Module 5: Coping with Emotions

Lesson 9: Healthy Ways to Cope with Emotions

• Introduction to calming practices: deep breathing signals and visual aids.
• Storytime: “When I Feel…” to discuss coping strategies.

Lesson 10: Celebrating Our Emotions

• Emotion collage: Each child creates a collage of their favorite emotions.
• Review: Sharing what they have learned and celebrating their emotional journeys together.

Conclusion

Through this course, our children will embark on an exciting journey of self-discovery, learning to navigate their emotions and those of others with confidence and empathy. The integration of Auslan and visual aids will ensure that all children engage fully and learn effectively.

References

1. Elkhan, L. (2016). Deaf children and emotional literacy: Strategies for teaching. Australia: Deaf Education Publications.
2. Steffen, A., & Steffen, M. C. (2018). Understanding emotions: A practical guide for teachers of Deaf children. Canberra: Early Childhood Development Foundation.
3. Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment. (2020). Teaching children with disabilities: Guidelines for teachers. Retrieved from Education.gov.au.
4. McGlashan, A., & Evans, T. (2019). Emotional expression and deaf children: A guide to visual communication. Melbourne: Auslan Bookstore.

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Feel free to modify any part of this plan to better align with specific learning objectives or resources available in your educational context!