Introduction
Being proud of who we are is an essential aspect of our well-being. It involves accepting ourselves, loving ourselves as we are, and having a strong sense of self-worth. Embracing our strengths and forgiving our weaknesses is crucial, as these traits make us unique. In this blog post, we will explore an activity designed for educators working with students in Special Education, aimed at helping students embrace their uniqueness and build self-worth.
No-Prep Activity: The Compliment Circle
This activity requires no preparation or materials and encourages students to recognize and appreciate the positive qualities in themselves and others. Here’s how it works:
- Have students sit in a circle, either on the floor or in chairs.
- Choose a student to start. This student will give a genuine compliment to the person sitting next to them.
- That person will then give a compliment to the person sitting next to them, and so on, until everyone in the circle has received and given a compliment.
- Once the circle is complete, ask students to reflect on how it felt to give and receive compliments.
Through this activity, students will learn to appreciate the positive qualities in themselves and others, fostering a strong sense of self-worth and building connections with their peers.
Discussion Questions
After completing the Compliment Circle activity, use these questions to stimulate further discussions:
- How did it feel to receive a compliment from your peer? How did it feel to give one?
- Why is it important to recognize and appreciate the positive qualities in ourselves and others?
- How can focusing on our strengths help us build self-worth?
- What are some ways you can remind yourself of your strengths and accomplishments when you’re feeling down?
Related Skills
Developing a strong sense of self-worth is just one aspect of Social-Emotional Learning. Other related skills that can benefit students in Special Education include:
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
- Resilience: Bouncing back from challenges and setbacks.
- Effective communication: Expressing oneself clearly and listening to others.
- Problem-solving: Identifying and resolving conflicts in a constructive manner.
- Self-awareness: Recognizing one’s emotions, strengths, and weaknesses.
Next Steps
If you found this activity and discussion helpful, consider exploring more resources to support the development of self-worth and other essential skills in your students. Sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech to access a variety of activities, videos, and lesson plans designed to help students build essential social-emotional skills.
