Introduction
Playgrounds are a place where children can explore, learn, and develop essential social skills. Teaching PreK students to include everyone on the playground, regardless of their differences, is a crucial aspect of Social-Emotional Learning. In this blog post, we will explore ways to teach students the importance of inclusivity, fairness, and empathy while having fun on the playground.
No-Prep Activity
One simple activity to teach inclusivity on the playground is the “Friendly Greeting Game.” In this activity, the educator encourages students to approach one another and practice inviting each other to play using friendly greetings. For example, they can say, “Hi, would you like to play with me?” or “Hey, let’s play together!”
As students practice their friendly greetings, the educator can provide positive reinforcement and feedback, highlighting the importance of including others and taking turns. This activity not only helps students build their social skills but also promotes a positive and inclusive playground environment.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it important to include everyone on the playground, even if they have different interests or abilities?
- How can we make sure that everyone has a chance to play and have fun on the playground?
- What can we do if we see someone who is alone or feeling left out on the playground?
- How does it feel when we are included in play, and how does it feel when we are excluded?
- What are some ways we can show kindness and empathy to others on the playground?
Related Skills
Teaching PreK students to include everyone on the playground can also help them develop other essential social-emotional skills. Some related skills include:
- Communication: Learning to express their feelings, thoughts, and needs effectively.
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, even if they are different from their own.
- Cooperation: Working together with others to achieve a common goal or complete a task.
- Conflict resolution: Identifying and resolving disagreements in a respectful and constructive manner.
- Self-regulation: Managing emotions and behaviors in accordance with the situation and social norms.
Next Steps
Teaching PreK students the importance of including everyone on the playground is a critical aspect of their social-emotional development. By incorporating activities and discussions that promote inclusivity, fairness, and empathy, educators can help create a positive and supportive environment for all students.
To further explore this skill and others, we encourage you to sign up for free samples of our Social-Emotional Learning materials at Everyday Speech. These resources can help you create engaging lessons and activities that support your students’ growth and development.
