Introduction

Meeting new people can be a daunting experience for anyone, especially for elementary students who are still developing their social skills. It is normal for children to feel nervous or scared in such situations. However, as educators, we can help them overcome this nervousness and improve their social interactions. In this blog post, we will discuss an easy no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills that can help students feel more comfortable when meeting new people.

No-Prep Activity: The Name Game

This simple and engaging activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. The goal is to help students practice introducing themselves and interacting with new classmates in a fun, low-pressure environment.

1. Have the students sit in a circle.
2. Begin by introducing yourself and sharing a fun fact about yourself (e.g., “My name is Ms. Smith, and I love to bake cookies”).
3. Ask the student to your left to introduce themselves and share a fun fact about themselves.
4. Continue around the circle until all students have introduced themselves and shared a fun fact.
5. After everyone has had a turn, challenge the students to remember the names and fun facts of as many classmates as possible.

This activity not only helps students practice introducing themselves but also encourages active listening and fosters a sense of community within the classroom.

Discussion Questions

1. How do you feel when you meet new people? What strategies can you use to feel more comfortable?
2. Why is it important to introduce ourselves when meeting new people? How does it make others feel?
3. What are some positive thoughts you can think of when you feel nervous about meeting new people?
4. How can practicing what to say beforehand help us feel more confident when introducing ourselves?
5. Why is active listening important when meeting new people? How can we show others that we are interested in getting to know them?

Related Skills

Helping students overcome nervousness when meeting new people also contributes to the development of other important social-emotional skills, such as:

• Self-awareness: Understanding one’s emotions and recognizing how they affect our behavior.
• Self-management: Effectively managing stress and controlling impulses.
• Communication: Expressing oneself clearly and effectively while also listening attentively to others.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
• Relationship building: Establishing and maintaining healthy, positive connections with others.

Next Steps

Helping students overcome nervousness when meeting new people is an essential aspect of their social-emotional development. By incorporating these activities and strategies into your teaching, you can support your students in building their confidence and improving their social interactions. To explore more resources and sample materials, we encourage you to sign up for free samples of the discussed skill and others. Together, we can help our students thrive in their social lives and beyond.