# Lesson 232: Feeling proud of progress

❤️ SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (40 Lessons) • 🟠 E. Growing Together

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## Objective

I can talk about feeling proud of my progress. I can notice small steps I have made, and I can use kind words for myself and others when we grow.

## Materials

- Plain paper or a notebook page
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Optional: small star stickers for "progress stars"

## Mini-lesson — Feeling proud of progress

Proud is a warm, happy feeling inside when we notice something we have worked hard on.

Progress means we are getting a little better at something over time, even if we are not perfect yet.

Examples of progress

- Writing your name more neatly than last month.
- Skating a bit farther than before.
- Remembering more letters, numbers, or words.

Pride and effort go together

- We can feel proud when we try, practice, and keep going.
- We do not need to be the "best" to feel proud.
- We can say, "I worked hard on this."

Proud vs. bragging

- Feeling proud: using kind words about yourself (for example, "I am proud that I kept trying.").
- Bragging: saying things that make others feel small (for example, "I am better than you.").
- We can share our progress and still be gentle and kind.

Being proud of others too

- We can feel happy when a friend learns something new.
- We can say, "I am proud of you for practising."
- Everyone grows at their own speed.

Noticing progress over time

- Think: "What could I do before?" and "What can I do now?"
- Trusted adults can help you spot progress when it is hard to see it yourself.

Adults can say: "I see your progress. You practised, and you grew. You can feel proud of your effort."

Picture strip: "Little steps, big smile"

## Guided Practice — My progress ladder

You and an adult will make a simple progress ladder for one skill.

1. On a notebook page, draw a big ladder with 4 steps going up.
2. At the top of the page, write or trace a skill, such as reading, skating, or neat writing.
3. On the bottom step, draw or write what you could do when you first started (for example, "I could only skate a tiny bit.").
4. On the next steps, draw or write what you can do now (for example, "I can skate to the middle", "I can stop more safely").
5. On the top step, draw or write one goal you are still working on (for example, "I am learning to turn.").
6. Talk together: "Where do you see your progress?" and "What effort helped you grow?"
7. The adult can add a small note at the side that says, "I am proud of you for…" and finish the sentence.

Tracing Pad
Lines
Trace
Pen

## Practice — Three progress stories

Use this practice to help your child notice progress in themselves and others, and to use kind words.

1. On a new page, draw three boxes in a row. Label them "Before", "Now", and "Next".
2. In the Before box, help your child think of something they used to find hard (for example, tying shoes, reading big words, staying calm). Draw a picture and add a short label.
3. In the Now box, draw what they can do today (for example, tying with a little help, reading more words, taking breaths when upset). Talk about the progress made.
4. In the Next box, draw one small step they would like to work on next. Remind them it is okay if it takes time.
5. Under the boxes, write or trace a proud sentence such as "I am proud that I kept practising."
6. If you have time, invite your child to think of one person they feel proud of (a friend, sibling, or family member). Draw a small picture of that person and add the words "I am proud of you for…".

## Quick Check — Feeling proud of progress

Answer each question about feeling proud, progress, and effort.

1) What does it mean to feel proud of your progress?

To think you are better than everyone else. To feel happy inside because you have grown or worked hard at something. To never try anything new.
Pride in progress is a warm feeling about your effort and growth.

2) Which is an example of progress?

Writing your name more clearly than last month. Doing nothing and hoping to get better. Forgetting everything you learned.
Progress means getting a little better over time.

3) What helps you make progress?

Wishing without ever practising. Giving up the first time something is hard. Trying, practising, and keeping going.
Effort and practice help your skills grow.

4) Which sentence is kind pride?

"I am better than you and you will never catch up." "I am proud that I practised and got a little better." "No one else is allowed to feel proud."
Kind pride talks about your effort without hurting others.

5) Your friend learns to ride a bike. What is a kind thing to say?

"I am proud of you. You kept trying!" "That is not special. I did it faster." "You should not be happy about that."
We can feel proud of others and cheer for their progress.

6) You tried a new skill and made a mistake. What could you say to yourself?

"I am terrible and should never try again." "Only perfect work matters." "Mistakes help me learn. I can try again."
Kind thoughts help you keep going and make more progress.

7) Which picture would show feeling proud of progress?

Sitting still and never practising. Smiling because you read more pages than last time. Throwing your work away when it is not perfect.
Noticing that you can do more than before is a sign of progress.

8) Who can help you notice your progress when it is hard to see?

A trusted adult like a parent, carer, or teacher. A stranger who does not know you. No one. You must keep it secret.
Trusted adults can point out how you have grown.

9) Which sentence shows a healthy goal about progress?

"I must be perfect right now." "If I cannot do it fast, I will never try." "I want to keep getting a little better over time."
Progress is about small steps, not instant perfection.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

To make you compare yourself to everyone else. To help you feel proud of your progress and effort in kind, healthy ways. To stop you from feeling proud of anything.
The goal is to notice and celebrate progress with kindness and effort.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student can say in simple words what it means to feel proud of progress. Student can give at least one example of their own progress over time. Student can connect feeling proud with effort and practice, not perfection. Student can use at least one kind proud sentence for themselves. Student can say one way to show they are proud of someone else.

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can notice my progress and feel proud in kind ways. 🙂 I know some ways to feel proud of my progress, but I still need practice. 😅 Feeling proud of my progress still feels tricky for me.

#### Next time I will practise…

Noticing one small way I have improved Using kind proud words about my effort Saying "I am proud of you" to someone else
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