Introduction
Connected play is an essential aspect of children’s social-emotional development. It helps them understand how to share ideas, collaborate, and communicate effectively with their peers. This blog post will provide a no-prep activity for educators to teach connected play, as well as discussion questions and related social-emotional learning skills.
No-Prep Activity
To teach connected play, try the following no-prep activity called “Story Chain.” Begin by having students sit in a circle. One student will start the activity by saying a sentence to begin a story. The next student will then add another sentence to the story, making sure to connect their idea with the previous one. This process continues around the circle until the story reaches a natural conclusion or every student has had a chance to contribute.
This activity encourages students to listen to their peers, collaborate on a shared narrative, and practice connecting their ideas to those of others in a fun and engaging way. It also allows them to develop their creativity and storytelling skills.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it important to connect our play with others, and how does it help us build better relationships?
- How did you feel when the story flowed smoothly between students? What about when there was a disconnect?
- Can you think of a time when you had trouble connecting your play with others? How did you resolve the situation?
- What strategies can you use to ensure you’re connecting your play to that of your peers?
Related Skills
Connected play is just one aspect of social-emotional learning. Other related skills include:
- Active listening: Paying attention to what others are saying and responding thoughtfully.
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
- Cooperation: Working together with others to achieve a common goal.
- Conflict resolution: Addressing disagreements and finding solutions that work for everyone involved.
Developing these skills alongside connected play will help students build stronger relationships and become more effective communicators.
Next Steps
Now that you understand the importance of connected play and how it ties into social-emotional learning, it’s time to put these skills into practice. To help you get started, we invite you to sign up for free samples of our skill-building resources. You’ll find engaging activities, lesson plans, and other valuable materials designed to help you teach connected play and other essential social-emotional learning skills. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your students’ learning experience and support their social-emotional growth.
