Introduction

One essential skill for kindergarten students to learn is having a quiet body during work time. A quiet body means that a student doesn’t move their arms, legs, hands, or feet excessively while working. This concept is crucial for maintaining focus, creating a productive learning environment, and respecting others’ personal space. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity, discussion questions, related skills, and next steps to help educators teach quiet body skills to kindergarten students.

No-Prep Activity: The Statue Game

The Statue Game is a fun and engaging activity that requires no preparation or materials from the educator. This game helps students practice having a quiet body by encouraging them to remain still like a statue. To play the game, follow these simple steps:

1. Ask students to stand up in a designated area of the classroom.
2. Explain the concept of a statue – a motionless figure representing a person or animal.
3. Instruct students to become statues when you say the word “Freeze!” and to remain completely still until you say “Unfreeze!”
4. Start the game by saying “Freeze!” and observe the students as they become statues. Praise students for having quiet bodies and remaining still.
5. After a short period, say “Unfreeze!” and allow students to move freely for a moment. Repeat the game several times, encouraging students to maintain a quiet body each time they freeze.

By participating in The Statue Game, students learn the importance of having a quiet body and practice self-control, which are essential components of Social-Emotional Learning.

Discussion Questions

After playing The Statue Game or introducing the concept of a quiet body, use the following discussion questions to stimulate further conversations and deepen students’ understanding:

1. Why is it important to have a quiet body during work time in the classroom?
2. How does having a quiet body help you focus on your work? How does it help others focus?
3. What other times might it be important to have a quiet body? (e.g., during a presentation, at the library, etc.)
4. What strategies can you use to remind yourself to have a quiet body when you start to feel restless?
5. How does practicing a quiet body show respect for others in the classroom?

Related Skills

Teaching quiet body skills in the classroom is just one aspect of Social-Emotional Learning. Other related skills that educators should consider incorporating into their lesson plans include:

• Active Listening: Encourage students to listen attentively, make eye contact, and avoid interrupting when others are speaking.
• Self-Control: Teach students how to manage their impulses and emotions in various situations, such as waiting their turn or dealing with frustration.
• Empathy: Help students understand and share the feelings of others, promoting a supportive and inclusive classroom environment.
• Cooperation: Foster teamwork and collaboration by engaging students in group activities and teaching them the importance of working together to achieve a common goal.

Next Steps

Now that you have learned about teaching quiet body skills to kindergarten students, it’s time to put these strategies into practice. To further enhance your classroom experience, we encourage you to sign up for free sample materials and explore additional resources related to Social-Emotional Learning. Visit Everyday Speech to access these valuable resources and take the first step towards creating a more focused and respectful learning environment for your students.