Lessons that nurture the soul

At the preschool age, every emotion a child experiences serves as one of the earliest building blocks of their personality. The ability to feel joy and sadness, to love, and to share, all of it stems from a long process of proper care and upbringing. That is also why, for many years, Phu Rieng Kindergarten (Phu Rieng Commune, Dong Nai Province) has consistently conducted emotional education lessons, becoming a bright spot in the province’s education sector.

One of the emotional-education lessons for children at Phu Rieng Kindergarten, Phu Rieng Commune. Photo: Thanh Nga.

A space for emotions

The learning space is arranged with vivid miniature scenes, teaching aids, and illustrations, all harmoniously set up to create a vibrant, child-centered world. This platform serves as the stage for the emotional education lesson meticulously prepared by the teachers of Senior Kindergarten Class 2.

The lesson opens with the familiar melody of Mother’s Diary, accompanied by the teacher’s gentle dance movements, as if opening the first door to the children’s emotions. From that initial feeling, the teachers guide the children on a journey of emotional discovery through the fairy tale The Three Girls.

There is no one-way lecturing or imposition. Instead, the teachers encourage the children to listen, feel, and share their own thoughts and feelings. At key moments in the story, the teacher pauses to observe the children’s expressions: some frown in anger, some are touched by the bond between mother and child, while others cheer when the characters find happiness.

The teachers also assign roles, allowing the children to act out the story, helping them internalize its message most naturally.

At the end of the story, Tran Y Nhi said with emotion, “Through the story, I understand how much the mother sacrificed to raise her children. My mother is the same, so I will behave well and not make her sad.”

Through sustained efforts over the years, Phu Rieng Kindergarten has achieved numerous proud accomplishments. The school was recognized as a Level-2 National Standard School in 2023; selected as a model unit in Dong Nai Province’s patriotic emulation movement for the 2020–2025 period; and commended by the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation for its participation in the movement to study and follow Ho Chi Minh’s thought, morality, and style.  

Phu Rieng Kindergarten goes beyond fairy tales, creating a variety of outdoor scenes to expand the children’s experiences. One of them is a recreated Northwestern village, complete with stilt houses, rice terraces, and flowing streams, serving as a setting that instantly captivates the children. Through these scenes, they gain a deeper understanding of love for their homeland, empathy for friends in the highland regions, and pride in the nation’s cultural identity.

Le Ho Minh Ngoc excitedly shared, “I see the rice fields and the stilt houses. I do love my homeland.”

The teacher plays a crucial role in the success of an emotional-education lesson. Beyond simply telling the story, they act as facilitators of emotion, skillfully choosing when to pause and gently prompting children to reflect and engage with their feelings.

Bui Thi Hieu, teacher of Senior Kindergarten Class 2, shared: “Preschoolers are very receptive. When given the chance, they express a full spectrum of emotions. After the lesson, many go home showing affection to their mothers, offering hugs, or helping their parents, and moments like that bring us immense joy.”

A standout in the system

For years, Phu Rieng Kindergarten has been regarded as a leading innovator in education, serving as a model school for annual thematic programs. Every element from the design of the learning environment to the creation of stories, games, and hands-on activities is thoughtfully and professionally developed.

During a visit to Phu Rieng Kindergarten to observe its emotional-education program for preschoolers, Tang Thi Lan from the Early Childhood Education Division under the Dong Nai Department of Education and Training, noted that the children had a truly memorable experience exploring their emotions and said that this reflected the teachers’ thorough preparation and strong professional skills. She expressed her hope that the school will maintain its high standards and remain a shining example for other schools in the cluster to follow.

Joining members of Cluster 12, Huynh Thi Man, principal of Vanh Khuyen Kindergarten in Long Ha Commune, remarked: “The school offers an exceptionally creative learning environment that has given us valuable insights. I also took detailed notes on how teaching materials are prepared here so I can apply them to emotional-education activities at my own school.”

Vu Ngoc Anh, the school principal, affirmed: “A strong emotional foundation helps children develop empathy, share with others, and handle situations effectively. It is essential for nurturing a well-rounded personality. At our school, emotional-education lessons are fully integrated into the curriculum for young learners.”

At the preschool stage, children are still learning to fully express their emotions. Through relatable stories, carefully guided facial expressions, tone of voice, and everyday scenarios, teachers help children gradually recognize both their own feelings and those of others. These gentle lessons cultivate empathy from an early age. By learning to care, empathize, and appreciate the simple joys around them, children build the foundation for a future generation that is compassionate, confident, and emotionally resilient.

By Thanh Nga – Translated by Tam Binh, Minho