An eco-map is often used an assessment tool in clinical mental health settings, but can be a beneficial SEL activity for social awareness. This exercise can be modified for small children all the way through adults.

The graph asks the participant to picture their social life as an ecosystem where they are at the center. In the blank space around them they can write in all of their formal and informal social ties and resources they have. (For younger children I suggest offering the option to draw the people in their life!) For further reflection, the participant can then add a + to signify if the person/resource is a positive part of their life, a - to signify if the person/resource is a negative part of their life, or write +- to signify a give and take relationship.

I use this worksheet along with social awareness lessons to encourage students to think about who they can ask for help from, who they have as supports, or reflect on relationships. It also allows you to gain insight into your students' life and resources outside of the classroom.