Introduction
Sharing is an essential skill for students to develop as it promotes a positive learning environment and fosters healthy relationships. It can be challenging for students to understand the importance of taking turns, especially when they are enjoying an activity. However, teaching students to share not only benefits them but also those around them. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity that encourages sharing, followed by discussion questions, related skills, and next steps for educators who want to continue teaching this essential social-emotional skill.
No-Prep Activity: Pass the Object
This simple activity requires no preparation or materials and can be done in any setting. Have your students sit in a circle and choose an object, such as a ball or a stuffed animal. The teacher starts by holding the object and saying, “I’m sharing this with [student’s name].” The student then takes the object and passes it to another student, saying the same phrase. The game continues until everyone has had a turn to hold and pass the object.
This activity helps students practice sharing and taking turns in a fun and engaging way. It also encourages them to be mindful of others’ feelings and recognize the importance of giving everyone a chance to participate.
Discussion Questions
- Why is sharing important in our daily lives, both in and out of school?
- How do you feel when someone doesn’t share with you? How do you think others feel when you don’t share with them?
- What are some ways you can practice sharing in your everyday life?
- Can you think of a time when sharing was difficult for you? How did you handle the situation?
- How can we help others understand the importance of sharing and taking turns?
Related Skills
Sharing is just one of the many social-emotional skills that students need to develop in order to maintain healthy relationships and contribute positively to their community. Other related skills include:
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
- Communication: Expressing thoughts and feelings effectively and respectfully.
- Cooperation: Working together with others to achieve a common goal.
- Conflict resolution: Addressing disagreements in a constructive and respectful manner.
- Active listening: Giving full attention to what others are saying and responding thoughtfully.
Next Steps
Teaching students the importance of sharing and taking turns is essential for their social-emotional development. If you’re interested in exploring more activities and resources to help teach this skill and others, sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech. These resources are designed to make it easy for educators to incorporate social-emotional learning into their curriculum and create a positive learning environment for all students.
