Introduction

In this blog post, we will discuss an important skill for PreK students: communicating their needs and working with teachers to solve problems. This skill is an essential aspect of social-emotional learning, as it helps students develop self-awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. By learning to communicate their needs effectively and seeking help from teachers when needed, students can better navigate their academic journey and foster a positive learning environment.

No-Prep Activity: “I Need Help!” Role-Play

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. It is designed to help PreK students practice communicating their needs and working with teachers to solve problems.

1. Begin by explaining to the students that they will be practicing asking for help from their teacher when they need it.
2. Divide the students into pairs. In each pair, one student will play the role of the teacher, and the other will play the role of the student.
3. Ask the “students” to think of a pretend problem they might have during class, such as not understanding a task or needing help with a specific question.
4. Encourage the “students” to use phrases like “I need help” and “I’m having trouble with…” to communicate their needs to the “teacher.”
5. Ask the “teachers” to respond supportively and offer assistance, using phrases like “Let’s take a look” and “I’m here to help.”
6. After a few minutes, have the pairs switch roles and repeat the activity.
7. Wrap up the activity with a group discussion, asking students to share their experiences and what they learned from the role-play.

Discussion Questions

• Why is it important to ask for help when you need it?
• How did it feel to communicate your needs to the “teacher” during the role-play?
• What are some other situations where you might need to ask for help from a teacher or another adult?
• How can asking for help and working with teachers make learning more enjoyable and effective?
• Can you think of a time when you asked for help and it made a positive difference in your learning experience?

Related Skills

There are several other relevant skills that can help PreK students develop their social-emotional learning abilities. Some of these skills include:

• Active listening: Students can practice listening carefully to their teachers and classmates, which will help them better understand instructions and develop empathy.
• Collaboration: Learning to work effectively with others, such as in group projects, can help students build strong relationships and improve their problem-solving abilities.
• Self-regulation: By learning to manage their emotions and behaviors, students can create a positive learning environment and respond appropriately to challenges.
• Persistence: Encouraging students to keep trying when faced with difficulties can help them develop resilience and a growth mindset.

Next Steps

Now that you have learned about the importance of communicating needs and working with teachers in PreK social-emotional learning, it’s time to put these skills into practice. To access free sample materials and further explore this skill and others, sign up at Everyday Speech. By incorporating these activities and discussions into your classroom, you can help your students develop the skills they need for a successful academic and social journey.