🍂 Autumn SEL in October Newsletter

Creative Dramatics for Big Feelings & Brave Voices

Dear Teachers & Childcare Providers,

This October, creative dramatics are a fun way to help children practice naming feelings, solving problems, and showing kindness. Acting out stories and using simple role-play routines give kids a safe stage to explore courage, teamwork, and empathy.

🎭 Classroom Activities

·       Emotion Freeze Frames – Call out feelings (happy, scared, brave, worried) and have children freeze in a pose.

·       Role-Play Routines – Practice everyday challenges like asking for a turn, repairing a mistake, or including a friend.

·       Pumpkin Patch Play – Set up a pretend pumpkin market where children solve problems together.

·       Quick Scripts – Teach simple phrases like “I’m sorry, let’s fix it together” or “Can I have a turn when you’re done?”

·       Share Good Things – During circle time or morning meeting, call an a few students to share one “brave moment” each day of the week.

📚 Storytime Dramatics (Act It Out!)

These books tie in perfectly with October themes while reinforcing bravery, inclusion, and problem-solving:

·       The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything – Courage and overcoming fears

·       Spookley the Square Pumpkin – Celebrating differences and inclusion

·       Room on the Broom – Teamwork and kindness

Encourage children to act out the story with props, voices, costumes, or puppets.

🌿 Mindful Movement Breaks

·       Float and drift like autumn leaves.

·       Balance along a taped “broomstick” line.

·       Take a deep breath while “blowing away the leaves.”

These quick activities help reset focus and support calming.

✨ With just a little imagination, October becomes a stage where children practice courage, kindness, and connection—skills they’ll carry with them all year long.

📖 References

Cowley, L. (1986). The little old lady who was not afraid of anything. Harper Collins.Trost, J. (2001).

Spookley the square pumpkin. Sterling Children’s Books. Donaldson, J., & Scheffler, A. (2001).

Donaldson, J., & Scheffler, A. (2001). Room on the broom. Dial Books for Young Readers.

Brown, E. D., Benedett, B., & Armistead, M. E. (2010). Arts enrichment and school readiness for children at risk. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 25(1), 112–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2009.07.008

Goldstein, T. R., & Winner, E. (2012). Enhancing empathy and theory of mind. Journal of Cognition and Development, 13(1), 19–37. https://doi.org/10.1080/15248372.2011.573514 Rieg, S. A., & Paquette, K. R. (2009).

Using drama and movement to enhance English language learners’ literacy development. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 36(2), 148–154.

There are so many creative things to do, share, investigate, and imagine this time of year, when the weather gets cooler and nature changes its colors to warm earth tones. I hope the ideas I shared help you to enjoy fall fun with your students!

With appreciation,

Megan Frazier, SEL Consultant