Introduction
Transitioning to new activities can be challenging for elementary students. The process of stopping one task and starting another requires focus, self-control, and adaptability. As educators, we can support our students’ social-emotional learning by providing strategies and activities that help them develop these essential skills. In this blog post, we will discuss an easy no-prep activity, discussion questions, related skills, and additional resources to help students learn how to transition smoothly between activities in the classroom.
No-Prep Activity: The “Freeze & Switch” Game
This simple activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. It helps students practice stopping one activity and transitioning to another, while also reinforcing listening skills and following directions.
- Ask the students to spread out in the classroom and engage in a fun activity, such as dancing, drawing, or playing with toys.
- When you call out “Freeze!”, the students should stop what they’re doing and freeze in place.
- Next, call out a new activity for the students to switch to, for example, “Switch to jumping!” or “Switch to coloring!”
- Continue playing the game, calling out “Freeze!” and new activities at random intervals. Encourage students to transition as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it important to stop and listen when a teacher or parent tells us to transition to a new activity?
- How do you feel when you have to stop doing something you enjoy to start a new task?
- What strategies can help you transition more smoothly between activities?
- How do our actions, like stopping and listening, affect our classmates and friends?
Related Skills
In addition to transitioning between activities, other relevant skills for students to develop include:
- Active listening
- Following directions
- Self-control
- Adaptability
- Collaboration
Next Steps
By helping students develop the skills to transition smoothly between activities, you are supporting their social-emotional learning and setting them up for success in the classroom. To access more resources and activities like this one, sign up for free sample materials from Everyday Speech. These resources can further support your students’ growth and development in essential social-emotional learning skills.
