Introduction
Transitioning back to school after a vacation can be challenging for Kindergarten students. They may have enjoyed their free time and now find it difficult to adapt to the school routine. This blog post focuses on helping educators teach students the importance of staying calm and following the plan set out for them, even when they don’t feel like doing it. We will discuss a no-prep activity, provide discussion questions, and suggest related skills to help students ease back into the school environment.
No-Prep Activity: Calm Breathing Exercise
One effective way to help students transition back to school is by teaching them how to calm themselves through breathing exercises. This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator and can be easily incorporated into the daily routine.
Instructions:
- Ask students to sit comfortably in their chairs or on the floor.
- Guide them to take a deep breath in through their nose, counting to four silently.
- Then, ask them to exhale slowly through their mouth, counting to four silently again.
- Repeat this process for a few minutes, encouraging students to focus on their breath and let go of any thoughts or worries about schoolwork.
This simple activity can help students feel more relaxed and focused, making it easier for them to follow the teacher’s plan and complete their tasks.
Discussion Questions
- How did you feel when you had to come back to school after vacation? What made it difficult?
- Why is it important to follow the teacher’s plan and do our work, even when we don’t feel like it?
- How did the calm breathing exercise make you feel? Do you think it could help you when you’re having a hard time concentrating or feeling upset?
- What are some other strategies you can use to stay calm and focused in class?
- How can we support our classmates when they’re having a hard time transitioning back to school?
Related Skills
Helping Kindergarten students transition back to school after a break is just one aspect of Social-Emotional Learning. Other relevant skills that can support students in their development include:
- Active listening: Encourage students to listen carefully to their teacher and classmates, helping them understand instructions and develop empathy.
- Self-awareness: Teach students to recognize their feelings and emotions, and understand how these can affect their behavior and learning.
- Problem-solving: Provide opportunities for students to work together to solve problems, helping them develop collaboration and critical thinking skills.
- Resilience: Help students build resilience by teaching them how to cope with challenges and setbacks in a positive way.
Next Steps
Implementing Social-Emotional Learning activities in the classroom can significantly benefit students as they navigate their school environment. If you’re interested in exploring more activities and resources to support your Kindergarten students, we encourage you to sign up for free samples of the discussed skill and others at Everyday Speech.
