Introduction
Compliments are a great way to make others feel good, and knowing how to respond to them is an essential social skill for kindergarten students. When someone gives a compliment, it’s important to say “thank you” to acknowledge their kind words. Failing to respond or returning a compliment can make the other person feel bad. In this blog post, we will discuss an easy, no-prep activity for teaching students how to respond to compliments, along with discussion questions and related skills.
No-Prep Activity
This activity, called “Compliment Circle,” requires no preparation or materials. Here’s how it works:
- Have the students sit in a circle.
- Explain that you will go around the circle, and each student will have a turn to give a compliment to the person sitting next to them.
- Model the appropriate way to give and respond to a compliment. For example, you can say, “I like your shirt, it’s a beautiful color.” The student should respond with “Thank you.”
- Continue around the circle, ensuring each student has a chance to give and receive a compliment.
- After everyone has had a turn, discuss how it felt to give and receive compliments, and why it’s important to say “thank you.”
Discussion Questions
After completing the “Compliment Circle” activity, engage your students in a discussion using the following questions:
- How did it feel to receive a compliment? How did it feel to give one?
- Why is it important to say “thank you” when someone gives you a compliment?
- Can you think of a time when you didn’t respond to a compliment? How do you think the other person felt?
- How can giving and receiving compliments help us build better relationships with others?
- What are some other ways we can show appreciation or kindness to others?
Related Skills
Besides responding to compliments, there are other relevant social-emotional skills that kindergarten students can benefit from learning:
- Active Listening: Teaching students to listen carefully and show interest in what others are saying will help them build stronger relationships.
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others is essential for developing compassion and kindness.
- Expressing Gratitude: Encouraging students to regularly express gratitude for the people and things in their lives can foster a positive mindset and strengthen connections with others.
- Conflict Resolution: Learning how to peacefully resolve disagreements and misunderstandings is crucial for maintaining healthy relationships with peers and adults.
Next Steps
Teaching kindergarten students how to respond to compliments is an important step in developing their social-emotional skills. By incorporating activities like the “Compliment Circle” into your classroom, you can help students build strong connections with their peers and improve their overall well-being. To explore more activities and resources for teaching social-emotional skills, sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech.
