Introduction
In early childhood education, it’s important to teach students the value of focusing on their own actions and responsibilities, rather than worrying about the behavior of others. This concept is a crucial aspect of Social-Emotional Learning, as it helps students develop self-awareness, self-management, and improve their relationships with others.
No-Prep Activity
This no-prep activity requires no materials or preparation from the educator and can be implemented in any classroom setting. The goal is to help students understand the importance of focusing on their own actions, rather than the actions of others.
Activity: The Worry Bubble
- Have students sit in a circle.
- Explain to the students that they will be taking turns pretending to blow a worry bubble. This bubble represents something they might worry about in regards to another student’s actions.
- As each student takes their turn, they will pretend to blow the worry bubble away, symbolizing that they are letting go of that worry and focusing on their own actions instead.
- After each student has had a turn, discuss as a group how it felt to let go of their worry and focus on their own actions.
Discussion Questions
Use these questions to stimulate further discussions about the activity:
- How did it feel to let go of the worry bubble and focus on your own actions instead?
- Why is it important to focus on our own actions instead of worrying about what others are doing?
- Can you think of a time when you focused on someone else’s actions and it caused a problem? What happened?
- How can focusing on our own actions help us to be better friends and classmates?
- What are some strategies you can use to remind yourself to focus on your own actions when you start to worry about others?
Related Skills
In addition to focusing on their own actions, it’s essential for students to develop other related skills that contribute to their social-emotional growth. These skills include:
- Active listening
- Empathy
- Respect for others
- Resolving conflicts in a positive manner
Next Steps
Now that you have an understanding of this crucial skill and a no-prep activity to help teach it, consider exploring more resources to support your students’ social-emotional development. To access free samples of related skill-building materials and activities, visit Everyday Speech’s sample materials and sign up today.
