Blurting is a common challenge that many educators face with their students. It occurs when students talk out loud when they aren’t supposed to, interrupting the flow of the lesson and potentially affecting the learning environment for their classmates. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of blurting, discuss an easy-to-implement no-prep activity, provide discussion questions, and suggest related skills for educators working with PreK students.

Introduction

Blurting often happens when students are enthusiastic or excited about a topic, but it can also be a sign of impulsiveness or lack of self-control. Teaching students to manage this behavior is an essential part of their social-emotional development, as it helps them develop self-awareness and self-management skills. By addressing blurting, educators can create a more inclusive and respectful learning environment for all students.

No-Prep Activity: The Silent Bubble

One simple activity that requires no preparation or materials is “The Silent Bubble.” To implement this activity, follow these steps:

1. Explain to the students that they will practice holding their thoughts and waiting for their turn to speak.
2. Ask the students to imagine they have a bubble in front of them, which they can use to store their thoughts and ideas.
3. Encourage the students to “put” their thoughts into the bubble when they feel the urge to blurt out.
4. Remind the students to wait for their turn to speak and then “pop” the bubble to share their thoughts with the class.

This activity helps students visualize the process of holding their thoughts and waiting for the appropriate time to share them. It can be easily incorporated into daily classroom routines and discussions.

Discussion Questions

Use these discussion questions to help stimulate further conversations about blurting and its effects on the class:

1. How do you feel when someone blurts out in class? How do you think it affects your classmates?
2. Why is it important to wait for our turn to speak in class?
3. What strategies can you use to help yourself remember not to blurt out?
4. How can we support each other in our efforts to avoid blurting?
5. What can we do as a class to create a more respectful and inclusive learning environment?

Related Skills

In addition to teaching students to manage blurting, educators can also focus on developing other related social-emotional skills, such as:

• Active listening: Encourage students to listen attentively to their peers and the teacher, and to show respect by waiting for their turn to speak.
• Self-control: Help students understand the importance of controlling their impulses and the impact it has on their learning environment.
• Empathy: Teach students to consider the feelings of others and how their actions, such as blurting, may affect their classmates.
• Collaboration: Reinforce the importance of working together and respecting each other’s contributions to create a positive learning environment.

Next Steps

Now that you have learned about managing blurting in the classroom and have a no-prep activity to use, it’s time to put these strategies into practice. To further support your students’ social-emotional development, consider signing up for free sample materials from Everyday Speech. These resources can help you address a wide range of skills and create a more inclusive and respectful learning environment for your PreK students.