Change is an inevitable part of life, and it can be challenging for students, especially when it comes to changes in people, settings, or schedules. As educators, it’s essential to teach our students how to adapt to change and manage their emotions when faced with unexpected situations. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and other related skills to help students navigate change and develop resilience.

Introduction

When plans change, it can be difficult for students to adjust, causing feelings of worry, upset, or even a sense of being out of control. By incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning, we can teach our students to think of their plans as a train following its tracks. When the plan stays the same, the train remains on a single track. If there’s an unexpected change, the train – that’s the student! – has to switch to a new track or a new plan. This might cause feelings of panic and upset. Teaching students to switch tracks and adapt to change can help them manage their emotions, stay calm, and develop resilience.

No-Prep Activity: The Track Switching Game

In this simple, no-prep activity, students will practice switching tracks and adjusting to change quickly. Here’s how to play:

1. Have students stand in a circle.
2. Explain that they are all trains on a track, and they will be switching tracks when they hear a specific signal (e.g., a clap or a whistle).
3. Start by having the students walk in a circle, following the “track” they are on.
4. At random intervals, give the signal for students to switch tracks. When they hear the signal, they should change direction and continue walking on their new track.
5. Repeat this activity several times, increasing the frequency of track switches as students become more comfortable with the idea of adapting to change.

This activity helps students experience change in a controlled environment and teaches them to adapt quickly and calmly to new situations.

Discussion Questions

After completing the Track Switching Game, engage students in a discussion to further explore their feelings and thoughts about change. Here are some questions to guide the conversation:

• How did you feel when you had to switch tracks during the game? Was it easy or difficult for you to adapt to the change?
• Can you think of a time when you had to switch tracks in real life? How did you handle the change?
• What strategies can you use to stay calm and adapt to change when your plans don’t go as expected?
• Why is it important to be able to switch tracks and adapt to change in everyday life?
• How can we support each other when we have to switch tracks and face unexpected situations?

Related Skills

Besides adapting to change, there are other related skills that students can benefit from developing. These include:

• Problem-solving: Learning to find solutions when faced with challenges or obstacles.
• Resilience: Building the ability to bounce back from setbacks and maintain a positive attitude.
• Emotional regulation: Managing and expressing emotions in a healthy and constructive way.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, especially when they are going through change.
• Communication: Effectively expressing thoughts and feelings, and listening to others.

Next Steps

Teaching students to switch tracks and adapt to change is an essential part of their social-emotional development. By incorporating activities, discussions, and related skills, you can help students build resilience and navigate unexpected situations with ease. To explore more activities and resources to support your students’ social-emotional learning, sign up for free samples of the discussed skill and others at Everyday Speech Sample Materials.