In a kindergarten setting, children are learning to navigate the world of friendships and social interactions. One of the most crucial skills to teach these young students is the concept of fairness. Fairness is treating people the same way we would want to be treated, regardless of our differences. By fostering fairness in friendships, educators can help students develop strong social-emotional skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
No-Prep Activity: The Fairness Circle
This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. The goal is to help students understand the importance of fairness and how it feels to be treated unfairly.
- Ask the students to sit in a circle.
- Choose one student to be “it” and have them stand in the middle of the circle.
- The student in the middle will make a statement about something they believe is fair, such as sharing toys or taking turns on the playground.
- Students in the circle who agree with the statement will stand up and switch seats with someone else who also agrees. The student in the middle will try to find a seat as well.
- The person left without a seat becomes the next “it” and the process repeats.
After playing the game, discuss with the students how it felt to agree or disagree with the statements about fairness. This will help them understand the importance of fairness in their friendships and how it affects their feelings.
Discussion Questions
- How did it feel when you agreed with a statement about fairness? How about when you disagreed?
- Why is it important to be fair to our friends?
- Can you think of a time when you were treated unfairly? How did it make you feel?
- What can we do to make sure we are treating our friends fairly?
- How can we help others understand the importance of fairness?
Related Skills
Teaching fairness in kindergarten also helps students develop other valuable social-emotional skills, such as:
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
- Respect: Showing consideration for the feelings, wishes, and rights of others.
- Communication: Expressing thoughts, feelings, and ideas effectively and respectfully.
- Conflict Resolution: Solving disagreements or problems in a peaceful and fair manner.
Next Steps
Now that you have an understanding of the importance of teaching fairness in kindergarten, it’s time to take action! To help you further develop these skills in your students, sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech. You’ll find a wide range of resources designed to support your teaching and help your students build strong social-emotional skills for a lifetime of successful friendships.
