Imagine a single snowflake. It’s small and delicate. But when many snowflakes come together they can create something strong and supportive, like a sturdy fort or a towering snowman built by packing the snow tightly together. Each person in your life offers a different kind of help or strength, and together, they form the foundation that supports you during challenging times.

In this lesson, kids will learn about identifying the people who make up a support system—family members, friends, teachers, and others who they can rely on. By understanding who these people are and how they can help, kids will build social awareness and resilience, important skills for handling life’s ups and downs. Let’s take a closer look at how support systems make us stronger, just like snowflakes coming together to form something greater.

Mini-Lesson: Snowflakes of Support

Introduction: What is a Support System? (5 Minutes)

Discuss the idea of a support system with students:

• Grade K-2: “Just like a snowman needs all its parts to stand tall, we need people in our lives to help us—to celebrate the good times together or to be there when things get tough. Who are the people you can turn to when you want to celebrate, when you need help or when you feel sad?”
• Grade 3-5: “Have you ever noticed how snowflakes look delicate on their own but can pile up into strong, heavy snow when they come together? Your support system is like that—people who come together to help you when things are tough or when it’s time to celebrate. Let’s talk about who those people are in your life.”

Grade 3-5: Give each student a “Support System Snowman” worksheet. Talk about how our support system can consist of family, friends, teachers, community members, and others (e.g., coaches, counselors, neighbors, bus drivers). Students can write  one or two names in each section of their snowball. They could also draw a picture of the person they are thinking of.

Part 2: Snowflake Sharing (K-5)

1. Have each student decorate a paper snowflake with the name of one person they feel especially close to or grateful for in their support system.
2. For younger students, you can write the name for them after they share aloud.
3. Next, hang the snowflakes together on a whiteboard, chalkboard, or wall to create a “Winter Wall of Support.”
4. Discuss how the combined snowflakes represent the idea of a strong, connected support system in the classroom and community.

Reflection and Discussion (5 Minutes)

Ask questions to guide their thinking:

• K-2: “How does it feel to know you have people you can count on? What would you do if you needed help from someone in your Snowman?”
• 3-5: “Why is it important to know who’s in your support system? How might you support someone else if they needed help?”

Ask more open-ended questions and allow students to share. Discuss how to expand their support system, like making new friends, asking teachers for help, or joining a group or club. For younger students, role-play different scenarios where a student might experience a situation when they would need help, identifying who in their support system they would turn to and what they might say.

Closing

When we know who we can turn to and how to ask for help, we’re better equipped to face challenges together. Keep thinking about how you can support others, too—because when we work as a team, we all grow stronger!

Remind students: “Just like snowflakes come together to create something strong and beautiful, your support system helps you stand tall when life feels heavy. Remember who you can count on, and don’t be afraid to reach out when you need them!”