5 Identity-Affirming SEL Activities for Preschoolers

When we talk about social emotional learning (SEL), we can’t just stop at "being kind" or "taking deep breaths."
For our littlest learners — especially Black, Brown, Indigenous, and other marginalized babies — SEL has to be deeper. It has to affirm who they are at their core.

At Jasmine Starr Presents, we believe that healing-centered, culturally responsive SEL isn't extra — it’s essential.
It’s the difference between a child learning to survive a classroom and a child feeling safe enough to thrive in one.

Identity-affirming SEL activities help children:
✨ See themselves reflected in what they learn
✨ Build pride in their cultures, languages, and histories
✨ Feel respected, valued, and loved just as they are

And guess what? It’s not complicated or expensive. It's rooted in intentional love.
Here are 5 simple, powerful identity-affirming SEL activities you can start using with preschoolers today — at home, in the classroom, or wherever little hearts are growing.

(Keep reading — #3 will bless your spirit just as much as it blesses theirs.)

1. Affirmation Mirror Time

Set up a child-safe mirror in your classroom or home, and start each day with "mirror affirmations."
Children take turns standing in front of the mirror and saying positive, identity-rooted affirmations like:

• "I am smart."
  
  

• "I am kind."
  
  

• "I am loved just the way I am."
  
  

• "My skin, my hair, and my voice are beautiful."
  
  

🌟 Pro Tip: Model the affirmations first! Preschoolers mirror adult energy way more than you think.

2. Cultural Story Circles

Choose picture books and stories that feature Black, Brown, Indigenous, and multicultural main characters.
After reading, invite kids to share something about themselves that connects to the story — family traditions, foods they love, songs they sing at home, holidays they celebrate.

🌟 Pro Tip: Make space for all cultures and identities — every child deserves to feel seen.

3. The "Who Am I?" Self-Portrait Project

Give children a blank piece of paper, crayons, markers, and mirrors.
Ask them to draw themselves — their real hair texture, their real skin tone, their real features.
Then, help them label their art with words like "artist," "helper," "dancer," "storyteller" — strengths that show who they are beyond appearance.

🌟 Pro Tip: Avoid making it a "perfect art" project. Focus on expression over perfection.
(This one builds both emotional literacy and pride, baby.)

4. Language Celebration Days

If your students or children speak another language at home — even just a few words — celebrate it!
Teach the whole class simple greetings, songs, or counting words from different cultures.

Example:

• "Good morning" in Spanish = Buenos días
  
  

• "Thank you" in Swahili = Asante
  
  

🌟 Pro Tip: Invite families to record short videos teaching a phrase in their home language!
(This turns the classroom into a true community.)

5. Emotion Dolls with Diverse Features

Use dolls, puppets, or stuffed animals that reflect a variety of skin tones, hair textures, and cultures.
During SEL lessons, let children choose dolls that feel familiar and comforting to them when practicing feelings like "happy," "mad," "sad," or "brave."

🌟 Pro Tip: Say things like, "Which doll reminds you of you today?"
This helps little ones connect emotions to identity without even realizing they’re doing deep work.

Final Thoughts

Healing-centered SEL starts early.
When we give children space to celebrate exactly who they are, we don't just build emotional skills — we plant seeds of confidence, joy, and pride that will bloom for a lifetime. 🌸

At Jasmine Starr Presents, we’re committed to making sure every little learner knows:
You are seen. You are loved. You belong here — exactly as you are.