Introduction

PreK students are learning to navigate various social situations as they encounter different environments throughout their day. It is essential for educators to teach them how to adapt their behavior to each unique setting. One way to help students understand this concept is by introducing the idea of being a “Social Chameleon.” Social Chameleons observe their surroundings, read people’s moods, and adjust their actions based on the time and place. This blog post will detail a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help teach PreK students how to become Social Chameleons.

No-Prep Activity

Introduce the concept of being a Social Chameleon to your students by playing a game called “Chameleon Changes.” This activity requires no preparation or materials and is perfect for PreK students. Begin by explaining to the class that chameleons change their colors to blend into their surroundings, just like how we can change our behavior to adapt to different situations.

For this activity, designate different areas in the classroom to represent various places, such as a library, playground, and cafeteria. Have the students line up and walk from one area to another, adapting their behavior to match the designated location. For example, students should be quiet and pretend to read books in the library area, while they can run and play in the playground area. Encourage students to observe their peers and mimic their actions to practice adapting their behavior like a Social Chameleon.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important for us to change our behavior depending on where we are and who is around us?
2. Can you think of a time when you needed to adapt your behavior to a different situation? How did you do it, and how did it make you feel?
3. What are some ways we can observe and learn from others to help us adapt our behavior in different situations?
4. How can being a Social Chameleon help us make friends and get along with others?
5. Why is it important to consider the feelings of others when deciding how to act in a particular situation?

Related Skills

Teaching PreK students to be Social Chameleons is an essential aspect of Social-Emotional Learning. Other related skills that can help students develop strong social skills include:

• Active listening – Encourage students to listen carefully to others, ask questions, and respond appropriately.
• Empathy – Help students understand and share the feelings of others, learning to put themselves in someone else’s shoes.
• Self-awareness – Teach students to recognize their own emotions and understand how their actions affect others.
• Conflict resolution – Provide students with strategies to resolve conflicts peacefully and effectively.

Next Steps

Now that you have learned about the concept of being a Social Chameleon and have a no-prep activity and discussion questions to use in your classroom, take the next step in enhancing your students’ social skills. Sign up for free samples of skill-based activities and resources at Everyday Speech to further support your students’ Social-Emotional Learning journey.