Introduction

Playing with others on the playground can be a fun and rewarding experience. However, sometimes students may find themselves in a situation where they want to join a game or activity that has already started. This blog post will explore an engaging no-prep activity for educators to help their students in special education learn essential skills for successfully joining others on the playground.

No-Prep Activity: Playground Observation and Role-Play

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. It involves two simple steps: playground observation and role-play.

1. Playground Observation: Take the students to the playground and encourage them to observe their peers playing. Ask them to notice where their friends are, what they’re doing, and how they’re interacting with each other.
2. Role-Play: After the observation, gather the students in a circle and ask them to role-play a scenario where they want to join a game or activity on the playground. Encourage them to use the steps they observed earlier, such as:
   • Noticing where their friends are and what they’re doing
   • Moving their body close to the group while maintaining personal space
   • Greeting their friends
   • Asking to join in

By practicing these steps through role-play, students will become more confident and comfortable when it comes to joining others on the playground.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important to maintain personal space while approaching a group of friends on the playground?
2. What are some ways to get your friends’ attention without being too loud or intrusive?
3. How can you show your friends that you’re interested in joining their activity?
4. What can you do if your friends don’t want you to join their game or activity?
5. How can practicing these skills help you build stronger friendships and social connections?

Related Skills

In addition to learning how to join others on the playground, students can benefit from developing other related social-emotional skills, such as:

• Active listening and communication
• Reading body language and nonverbal cues
• Respecting personal boundaries
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving
• Adapting to new social situations

Next Steps

If you found this activity helpful and would like to explore more resources to support your students’ social-emotional growth, we encourage you to sign up for free samples of the discussed skills and others at Everyday Speech. With a wide range of materials, including videos, games, and lesson plans, you can empower your students to build strong social connections and navigate the world around them with confidence.