Introduction

As educators, it’s important to teach our students the skills they need to navigate social interactions effectively. One such skill is the ability to get someone’s attention appropriately. This is especially important for Kindergarten students, as they are still developing their communication abilities and learning how to interact with their peers. In this blog post, we will discuss an easy, no-prep activity that helps Kindergarten students learn to get someone’s attention, as well as some discussion questions and related skills to further their social-emotional learning journey.

No-Prep Activity

This activity, called “Attention-Grabbing Role Play,” requires no preparation or materials from the educator, making it a simple yet effective way to teach students how to get someone’s attention properly.

1. Begin by explaining to the students that it’s important to get someone’s attention before speaking to them, as it ensures that the person is listening and ready to engage in conversation.
2. Ask for two volunteers to come up in front of the class and demonstrate the proper way to get someone’s attention. Use the dialogue provided in the prompt as an example, where Ashley gets Josh’s attention by moving closer, saying his name, and waiting for him to look at her before proceeding with the conversation.
3. After the demonstration, have the students pair up and practice getting each other’s attention using the same method.
4. Once everyone has had a chance to practice, bring the class back together and ask the students how it felt to get someone’s attention in this way. Encourage them to share their experiences and thoughts.

Discussion Questions

Here are some discussion questions to further engage students in the learning process and deepen their understanding of the importance of getting someone’s attention:

• Why is it important to get someone’s attention before speaking to them?
• How does it feel when someone gets your attention in a polite and respectful manner?
• Can you think of other ways to get someone’s attention? Are they as effective as the method we practiced today?
• How can you apply this skill in other situations, such as at home or in public places?
• Why is learning to get someone’s attention a part of social-emotional learning?

Related Skills

Teaching students how to get someone’s attention is just one aspect of social-emotional learning. Here are some other related skills that can help students further develop their social-emotional abilities:

• Active listening: Encouraging students to listen carefully and attentively when someone is speaking to them.
• Expressing feelings: Teaching students to identify and express their emotions in a healthy and appropriate manner.
• Respecting personal boundaries: Helping students understand the importance of respecting others’ personal space and boundaries.
• Collaboration and teamwork: Fostering a sense of cooperation and collaboration among students as they work together on projects and activities.

Next Steps

If you found this activity helpful and would like to explore more social-emotional learning resources, we encourage you to sign up for free samples of the discussed skill and others at Everyday Speech. These materials can help you further support your students’ social-emotional learning journey and provide them with the tools they need to succeed in their interactions with others.