Lesson Synopsis:
This lesson introduces students to how humans have understood and managed emotions across time—from early calming practices and historical comfort objects to today’s sensory tools and emotional-support technologies. Students explore current strategies for emotional self-regulation and consider emerging innovations like AI-enabled plush companions. Finally, they imagine future scenarios where smart comfort companions support emotional well-being in creative and adaptive ways.

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Learning Objectives:

• Identify how emotions function in the body and recognize strategies for emotional self-regulation.
• Compare calming objects and practices from the past, present, and possible futures.
• Analyze how technology can support emotional regulation and well-being in kid-centered contexts.
• Design a future-focused comfort companion that integrates form, sensory features, and supportive technology.

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Build Challenge:
Students will design and create a prototype of a futuristic comfort companion—selecting its form, sensory elements, and technological features—and explain how each design choice helps support emotional regulation in challenging environments.