Introduction

Transitioning back to school after a vacation can be challenging for PreK students. During vacation, they enjoy free time and fun activities, but in school, they have to follow a structured plan. This blog post will discuss an easy no-prep activity and discussion questions to help students adjust to the school routine while incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL).

No-Prep Activity: The “I Can” Circle

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. It aims to help students recognize their capabilities and build their confidence to face school tasks after a vacation.

1. Have students sit in a circle.
2. Ask each student to share one thing they can do well at school, starting with the phrase “I can…”. For example, “I can write my name.”
3. Once everyone has shared, encourage students to give a thumbs-up or a round of applause to show support for their classmates.
4. Finish by reminding students that they have many skills and abilities they can use to succeed in school, even when it’s challenging to return after a vacation.

Discussion Questions

These questions are designed to stimulate further discussions about transitioning back to school after a vacation:

1. How do you feel when you come back to school after a vacation? Why do you feel that way?
2. What are some things you can do to make it easier to adjust to being back in school?
3. Why is it important to follow the teacher’s plan and do our work, even when we don’t feel like it?
4. What can you do when you’re feeling tired or overwhelmed with school tasks?
5. How can we support our classmates when they’re having a hard time adjusting to school after a vacation?

Related Skills

Helping students transition back to school after a vacation supports other relevant skills:

• Self-awareness: Understanding and managing their own feelings and emotions during challenging situations.
• Self-management: Developing strategies to cope with stress and stay focused on tasks.
• Social awareness: Recognizing the impact of their behavior on others and showing empathy for classmates who may also be struggling.
• Relationship skills: Building positive connections with peers and teachers by demonstrating cooperation and communication.

Next Steps

To explore more activities and resources that promote SEL and help students transition back to school after a vacation, sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech. These resources are designed to support educators in teaching valuable social-emotional skills to PreK students, setting them up for a successful school year.