Introduction

Participation is a crucial aspect of Social-Emotional Learning for PreK students. It allows children to develop a sense of belonging, improve their communication skills, and learn how to cooperate with others. By participating in group activities, children become active members, engaging in conversations, asking questions, and following the group’s actions. This blog post will discuss the importance of participation, present a no-prep activity for educators, provide discussion questions, and mention other related skills that can help develop a child’s ability to participate effectively.

No-Prep Activity: “The Participation Train”

This activity requires no preparation or materials and can be easily implemented in a classroom setting. The goal is to encourage PreK students to participate in a group activity and understand the importance of being an active member of the group.

1. Have the children stand in a line, holding the shoulders of the person in front of them, forming a “train.”
2. Explain that the train will move around the room, and each child will take turns being the “engineer” who leads the train.
3. When a child is the engineer, they will choose a simple action (e.g., clapping hands, stomping feet, or spinning), and the rest of the train will follow their lead.
4. Let each child have a turn as the engineer, encouraging them to participate and engage with the group.
5. After the activity, discuss the importance of participation and how it felt to be an active member of the group.

Discussion Questions

• Why is it important to participate in group activities?
• How did it feel when you were the engineer leading the train? How did it feel when you were following the actions of others?
• Can you think of a time when you participated in a group activity and it made a positive difference? What happened?
• What are some ways we can encourage others to participate in group activities?
• How does participating in group activities help us build friendships and connections with others?

Related Skills

Developing participation skills in PreK students can also enhance other important social-emotional abilities, such as:

• Active listening: Paying attention to others and responding appropriately to their comments and questions.
• Communication: Expressing thoughts and feelings clearly and effectively.
• Collaboration: Working together with others to achieve a common goal.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
• Problem-solving: Identifying and resolving conflicts or challenges in a group setting.

Next Steps

To further support your PreK students’ development of participation skills and other essential social-emotional abilities, consider signing up for free sample materials from Everyday Speech. These resources will provide you with engaging activities, videos, and lessons to help foster a positive learning environment and encourage active participation in your classroom.