Teaching PreK students essential skills to make good decisions under pressure can be challenging. However, incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) can help educators create a positive learning environment and foster the development of these skills. In this blog post, we will discuss a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help PreK students make better decisions under pressure.

Introduction

PreK students often experience stress and anxiety in their lives, which can make it difficult for them to make good decisions. By recognizing the signs of stress and using calming strategies, students can develop the ability to make better choices even when under pressure. This process involves learning to relax, expressing their feelings, and requesting what they need to make a good decision.

No-Prep Activity: The Balloon Breathing Exercise

This simple activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator and can be used to help students practice deep breathing as a calming strategy. To begin, have the students sit comfortably in their chairs or on the floor. Ask them to imagine they are holding a balloon in their hands.

1. Guide the students to take a deep breath in through their nose, filling their imaginary balloon with air.
2. As they exhale through their mouth, have them imagine the balloon deflating and releasing the air.
3. Repeat this process a few times, encouraging the students to focus on their breathing and the sensation of the balloon expanding and deflating.

This exercise helps students learn to use deep breathing as a relaxation technique, which they can use when feeling stressed or under pressure.

Discussion Questions

1. How does your body feel when you are stressed or under pressure? Can you describe the sensations?
2. What are some situations that might make you feel stressed or under pressure? How can you recognize when you need to use a calming strategy?
3. Aside from deep breathing, what are some other calming strategies you can use to help you relax before making a decision?
4. Why is it important to express how you are feeling and ask for what you need when you are under pressure?
5. Can you think of a time when you made a good decision under pressure? How did you handle the situation?

Related Skills

There are several other skills related to making good decisions under pressure that can be beneficial for PreK students to learn. These include:

• Problem-solving: Identifying the problem and coming up with possible solutions.
• Emotion regulation: Recognizing and managing emotions in a healthy way.
• Resilience: Bouncing back from setbacks and maintaining a positive attitude.
• Adaptability: Adjusting to changing circumstances and finding new ways to cope.

Next Steps

Ready to explore more resources to help your PreK students develop the skills they need to make good decisions under pressure? Sign up for free samples of our Social-Emotional Learning materials at Everyday Speech, and discover how you can support your students in developing these essential life skills.