He became our speaker power for our community circles each morning (which inspired even our most reluctant sharers to participate).
By using a class mascot to blend engagement with connection & community, we take the first step in building a classroom management system of our dreams. For the purpose of this blog, I'll be using our Silly Goose kit to breakdown all the benefits and possibilities of having a mascot aka your group's new bestie around.
How to Introduce your Silly Goose
If you’re ready to bring a mascot into your classroom, here are some simple steps to get started:
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Choose their 'fit: Choose from a variety of seasonal outfits in. black and white (you can print this on colored paper if you choose to save ink), pastel tones or rainbow tones.
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Here for a good time and a long time: Print directly on magnetic paper, or laminate, cut out and add magnetic dots to the back of the goose and each article of clothing.
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Introduce them: Have your students come up with names and vote on which will represent their class mascot (e.g., Honk Solo).
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Refer to them consistently: Incorporate the mascot into daily routines such as calendar time, SEL lessons, and cross-curricular projects (e.g., STEM challenges, Math questions).
The SEL Benefits of a Class Mascot
1. Encourages Emotional Expression
Our primary students are still finding their voice and developing their vocabulary, when it comes to communicating how they feel. A classroom mascot can serve as a non-threatening way for children to share their emotions. Teachers and counselors can use the mascot to model different feelings and coping strategies. For example, the mascot can “feel” nervous before a big test or “excited” about a class celebration, encouraging students to make personal connections.
Additionally, students can practice expressing their feelings by talking to or through the mascot. If a child is having a rough day, they might find it easier to first tell the mascot rather than directly sharing with an adult or classmate. This practice helps normalize discussions about emotions and encourages students to seek support when needed.
2. Supports Self-Regulation and Coping Strategies
Talking about what do to with these emotions is a natural next step. Teachers can model breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques, or problem-solving skills through the mascot. For instance, if the mascot is feeling frustrated, students can suggest deep breathing or counting to ten to help it calm down.
Some classrooms even have a special “calm corner” where the mascot hangs out, offering a comforting space where students can practice self-soothing techniques. By incorporating the mascot into these routines, students build habits of emotional regulation that they can use well beyond the classroom.
3. Promotes a Sense of Belonging
A classroom mascot fosters community by serving as a shared symbol of the class’s identity. This sense of belonging is crucial for social-emotional development, as it helps students feel safe, valued, and included.
Teachers can strengthen this bond by involving students in decisions about the mascot so that they take equal ownership for it! Co-owning a mascot means trusting your group with the responsibility of giving it a name, choosing its personality, clothing, etc. When students have a shared connection to the mascot, they also feel more connected to each other through collectively celebrating wins and accomplishments.
4. Encourages Positive Behavior and Social Skills
We can use the mascot to highlight expected behaviors, such as kindness, respect, and cooperation. For example, the mascot might “notice” when students are working together nicely or showing resilience and celebrate those moments.
Some teachers also use the mascot as part of a reward system, where it “chooses” a student who has demonstrated excellent SEL skills to take it home for the weekend to take a selfie with. This approach not only reinforces positive behaviors but also gives students a sense of responsibility and pride in their actions.
My personal favorite way of using a mascot to address social skills, is to have them ask questions that directly pertain to our needs as a class. In this sense, a classroom mascot can reinforce positive behavior by inviting the students to play the role of mediator or mentor for the mascot. It's incredible to see how just adding a third "person" to the mix equips students with the clarity and poise that they needed to solve their own challenges that they faced during the recess prior. For example, if I notice that students are struggling with cutting in line, Goose could say that he has been struggling with other birds doing this, and he wanted the class opinion on how to best resolve it.
5. Teaches Empathy and Perspective-Taking
As an extension to the last benefit of having your goose or mascot model social skills, we can use a classroom mascot to foster empathy. Teachers can use the mascot to introduce social scenarios and dilemmas, prompting students to consider different perspectives.
For example, the mascot might “feel” left out during recess, leading to a discussion about inclusion and kindness. Or, the mascot could make a mistake and need help making things right, providing a safe way to explore conflict resolution. When students practice taking the mascot’s perspective, they strengthen their ability to understand others' feelings in real-life situations.
6. Makes Learning More Engaging
A mascot adds an element of playfulness to learning, making lessons more engaging and memorable. Whether it’s leading morning greeting calendar time, and matching his clothing to the weather, helping introduce new SEL concepts, or starring in class stories or Math problems, a mascot will help bridge the gap between curricular expectations and core memories. We also just love to use the silly goose to share jokes or riddles that can be chosen from the pre-selected options that are included in the kit.
7. Supports Growth Mindset and Self-Esteem
With friendship drama, the pressure of standardized tests and the influence of social media, it's no surprise that, despite our best efforts, school can still be overwhelming for students, especially those who are already dealing with anxiety or big emotions. A classroom mascot, when used consistently, can serve as a source of comfort, offering a familiar presence that students can turn to when they need reassurance.
Blending positive affirmations or growth mindset mantras into your mascot's practice can yield big results, as students are more likely to respond to and adopt these positive phrases as their own inner voice.
Final Thoughts
A classroom mascot is more than just a cute addition to the classroom- it’s a powerful tool for building social-emotional skills, strengthening classroom community, and making learning more engaging. By incorporating a mascot into your daily routine, you create a safe and supportive environment where students can express themselves, develop empathy, and practice positive social behaviors.
What you'll find is that by using a mascot more, you will have to do a little less. As the class celebrity:
-Routines will go smoother- students will want to line up right away to come in and go home so they can give him a high five
-They will grow as problem-solvers and active listeners, by helping their silly goose thrive
-They will feel included, loved & part of an important family
Have you had a classroom mascot before?
Tell me how you've used them in your program in the comments below!
Lots of love,
