Introduction

In our daily lives, we often encounter situations that can make us feel nervous or stressed. Elementary students are no exception. They may face challenges that can seem overwhelming and may struggle with making decisions when under pressure. It is crucial for educators to teach students the skills necessary to make good decisions even when they feel stressed. This blog post will discuss an easy no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help students learn how to make better decisions under pressure.

No-Prep Activity: The Pressure Cooker

This simple activity requires no preparation or materials and helps students practice making decisions under pressure in a safe and fun environment. Here’s how it works:

1. Ask students to form a circle and assign one student as the “decision-maker.”
2. Give the decision-maker a scenario where they must make a decision under pressure (e.g., choosing a project partner with limited time).
3. The other students in the circle will act as distractions, creating a sense of pressure by making noise or moving around.
4. Allow the decision-maker to practice using calming strategies (e.g., taking deep breaths, counting to ten) before making their decision.
5. Once the decision-maker has made their decision, discuss how they felt during the process and what strategies they used to stay calm.
6. Rotate the role of the decision-maker, giving each student a chance to practice.

Discussion Questions

• How did you feel when you were the decision-maker in the activity? What strategies did you use to stay calm and focused?
• Can you think of a time when you had to make a decision under pressure outside of the classroom? How did you handle it, and what could you have done differently?
• Why is it important to remain calm and think clearly when making decisions, especially under pressure?
• What are some other ways we can support each other in making good decisions when we feel stressed or pressured?
• How can we apply the skills we practiced in this activity to real-life situations?

Related Skills

Teaching students to make good decisions under pressure is just one aspect of Social-Emotional Learning. Here are some other related skills that can help students develop better decision-making abilities:

• Self-awareness: Recognizing and understanding their own emotions and how they affect their behavior.
• Self-regulation: Managing their emotions and behaviors in healthy ways, even in difficult situations.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, which can help students consider the impact of their decisions on others.
• Problem-solving: Developing the ability to analyze situations, generate solutions, and evaluate the potential outcomes of their choices.
• Communication: Expressing their thoughts and feelings effectively, and listening to others, which can help in making informed decisions.

Next Steps

Helping students develop the skills to make good decisions under pressure is an essential part of their overall growth and development. To further support your students in mastering these skills, sign up for free samples of related Social-Emotional Learning materials at Everyday Speech. These resources can help you provide engaging and effective lessons to empower your students in making better decisions, even when faced with stress or pressure.