Introduction

Building self-confidence and self-esteem is a vital aspect of social-emotional learning (SEL) for kindergarten students. It is important to teach children ways to feel good about themselves and how to handle emotions when they’re not feeling their best. In this blog post, we will discuss an easy, no-prep activity for educators to implement in their classrooms, some discussion questions to further explore the topic, and related skills that can be developed alongside this concept. Let’s help our students feel good about themselves and embrace their unique qualities!

No-Prep Activity: The Compliment Circle

This simple, no-prep activity encourages students to share compliments with their classmates, helping them feel good about themselves and their peers. Here’s how to conduct the Compliment Circle:

1. Have students sit in a circle.
2. Begin by giving a genuine compliment to the student on your left. This could be about their appearance, a skill they possess, or something kind they have done.
3. That student then gives a compliment to the person on their left, and the process continues around the circle.
4. Once the circle is completed, have a brief discussion about how the compliments made them feel, emphasizing the importance of making others feel good about themselves.

Discussion Questions

1. How did it feel to receive a compliment from your classmate? How did it feel to give a compliment?
2. Why is it important to say nice things to ourselves and others?
3. What are some other ways we can make ourselves feel good when we’re not feeling happy?
4. How can we help our friends when they are feeling down or not good about themselves?
5. What are some things you are good at or proud of? How do these things make you feel?

Related Skills

Beyond teaching students to feel good about themselves, there are other essential SEL skills that can be developed in tandem. Some of these related skills include:

• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others is crucial for building strong relationships and supporting classmates who may be struggling with self-esteem.
• Resilience: Learning to bounce back from setbacks and challenges is an important skill that will help students maintain a positive self-image even in difficult situations.
• Problem-solving: Encouraging students to think of solutions when they encounter challenges can boost their confidence in their abilities and help them feel more capable.
• Communication: Developing strong communication skills allows students to express their feelings and thoughts effectively, fostering understanding and support among peers.

Next Steps

Now that you have a better understanding of how to incorporate activities that promote feeling good about oneself in your kindergarten classroom, it’s time to take the next step. We encourage you to sign up for free samples of our social-emotional learning materials, including activities that focus on self-esteem, empathy, resilience, problem-solving, and communication. Visit Everyday Speech to access these resources and more, and help your students develop the confidence and self-esteem they need to thrive.