Introduction

Changes are an inevitable part of life, and sometimes, our days don’t go as planned. For young children, especially PreK students, unexpected changes can lead to feelings of nervousness and discomfort. As educators, we can help them learn how to handle these changes and develop resilience. In this blog post, we’ll explore a no-prep activity to teach students how to cope with changes, provide discussion questions, and mention related skills that students can benefit from. Let’s learn how to help our students navigate change with ease.

No-Prep Activity

Here’s an activity that requires no preparation or materials from the educator:

1. Begin by telling the students that there will be a small change in their daily routine, such as a different snack time or a new seating arrangement for the day.
2. Observe their reactions to the news and ask them to share how they feel about the change.
3. Guide the students through a simple breathing exercise to help them calm down. Ask them to take a deep breath in, hold it for a moment, and then exhale slowly.
4. Discuss the importance of adapting to change and remind them that it’s okay to feel nervous or upset, but it’s essential to learn how to handle those feelings.
5. Encourage the students to think of positive aspects of the change and share them with the class.

Discussion Questions

After the activity, stimulate further discussions with these questions:

1. How did you feel when you first heard about the change in our routine? How do you feel now?
2. What strategies can we use to help us feel more comfortable when our days change?
3. Can you think of a time when a change in your day turned out to be a good thing? What happened?
4. Why is it important to learn how to handle changes in our lives?
5. What are some ways we can support each other when we feel nervous or upset about changes?

Related Skills

Developing the ability to handle change is just one aspect of a well-rounded education. Other relevant skills for PreK students include:

• Emotion regulation: Learning to recognize, understand, and manage emotions effectively.
• Problem-solving: Developing the ability to think critically and find solutions in challenging situations.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, and offering support when needed.
• Communication: Expressing thoughts and feelings clearly and respectfully with others.
• Resilience: Bouncing back from setbacks and maintaining a positive attitude.

Next Steps

Helping PreK students navigate change is an essential part of their growth and development. By incorporating Social-Emotional Learning principles into our teaching, we can create a supportive and nurturing environment for them to thrive. To access free samples of skill-building materials, including those that address handling change and other related skills, visit Everyday Speech’s sample materials page. Let’s work together to empower our students and help them build a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning and success.