Introduction

Texting is an important mode of communication in today’s digital age, especially for young learners. However, it can be confusing due to the absence of facial expressions and tone of voice, leading to misunderstandings. To navigate these tricky situations, students need to develop their Cyber Skills. These skills help in effective communication, preventing others from feeling upset or uncomfortable. In this blog post, we will explore an engaging no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help educators working with PreK students enhance their Cyber Skills for texting.

No-Prep Activity: Emoji Storytelling

In this activity, students will work in pairs to create a story using emojis. This will help them understand the importance of context and emotions in texting. Here’s how to conduct the activity:

1. Pair up the students and have them sit facing each other.
2. Explain that they will create a story using only emojis, taking turns to add one emoji at a time. The story should have a beginning, middle, and end.
3. Give them a few minutes to create their stories.
4. Once the stories are complete, ask each pair to share their story with the class, explaining the emotions and context behind each emoji.
5. Discuss how emojis can help convey emotions and context in texting, making it easier to understand the other person’s feelings and intentions.

Discussion Questions

• How can you tell if someone is joking, being sarcastic, or serious in a text message? What clues can you look for?
• Why is it important to think before sending a text message? How can this help prevent misunderstandings?
• What should you do if you’re unsure about the meaning of a text message? How can asking for clarification help in such situations?
• How do emojis and GIFs help in expressing emotions and context in a text message? Can they sometimes cause confusion? Why or why not?
• How can developing good Cyber Skills for texting help us maintain healthy relationships with our friends and family?

Related Skills

Enhancing Cyber Skills for texting goes hand-in-hand with several other essential skills for PreK students. Some of these related skills include:

• Active Listening: Paying close attention to the messages received and asking questions to clarify any confusion.
• Empathy: Understanding the emotions and feelings of others while communicating through text messages.
• Digital Citizenship: Being responsible, respectful, and safe while using digital technology, including texting.
• Problem Solving: Identifying and resolving misunderstandings or conflicts that may arise from confusing text messages.

Next Steps

Now that you’ve learned about enhancing Cyber Skills for texting and explored an engaging activity and discussion questions, it’s time to put these ideas into practice. We encourage you to sign up for free samples of this skill and others at Everyday Speech Sample Materials. These resources will help you integrate these essential skills into your curriculum, ensuring your PreK students develop effective communication abilities in the digital age.