Introduction
As high school students grow and develop, their feelings become more complex, and they may experience romantic feelings towards their peers. Crushes are a normal part of adolescence and can be an opportunity for educators to discuss and teach essential social-emotional skills. This blog post will provide an overview of the skills needed to navigate crushes, a no-prep activity for educators, discussion questions, and related skills.
No-Prep Activity: Role-Playing Scenarios
Invite students to participate in a role-playing activity that requires no preparation or materials. Divide the class into small groups and provide each group with a scenario related to crushes. Examples of scenarios might include:
- Initiating a conversation with a crush
- Dealing with rejection from a crush
- Supporting a friend who has a crush
- Respecting boundaries when someone has a crush on you
After each group has had a chance to role-play their scenario, come together as a class to discuss the experiences and lessons learned from the activity.
Discussion Questions
- What are some signs that someone might have a crush on another person? How can we recognize these feelings in ourselves?
- Why is it important to establish a friendship with someone before pursuing a romantic relationship?
- How can we maintain respect for ourselves and others when navigating crushes?
- What are some ways to cope with the emotions that come with having a crush?
- How can we support our friends who are experiencing crushes?
Related Skills
Beyond understanding crushes, there are other relevant skills for students to develop as they navigate their high school years. These skills include:
- Effective communication: Learning to express feelings and thoughts clearly and respectfully.
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, particularly when dealing with sensitive topics like crushes.
- Boundary setting: Recognizing and respecting personal boundaries, both for themselves and others.
- Conflict resolution: Addressing and resolving misunderstandings or disagreements that may arise in relationships.
- Self-awareness: Understanding one’s own emotions, strengths, and weaknesses when interacting with others.
Next Steps
Teaching students about crushes and related social-emotional skills is an essential part of their development during high school. To explore more resources and activities that can help students grow in these areas, we encourage you to sign up for free samples of our skill-building materials. With the right support, students can learn to navigate their feelings and build healthy relationships throughout their high school years and beyond.
