In this blog post, we will explore the importance of teaching elementary students the valuable skills of staying calm and following the group when faced with unexpected situations or challenges. Through these skills, students can develop resilience, adaptability, and improve their social interactions. We will also discuss a no-prep activity, discussion questions, related skills, and next steps to help educators effectively teach these skills to their students.

Introduction

As educators, we know that elementary students face various challenges in their daily lives, both inside and outside the classroom. One of the most important skills they can learn is how to stay calm and follow the group when things don’t go as planned. By learning to manage their emotions and adapt to new situations, students can develop positive coping strategies and improve their overall well-being. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) principles play a crucial role in teaching these skills, as they emphasize self-awareness, self-management, and relationship skills.

No-Prep Activity

Here’s a simple, no-prep activity to help students practice staying calm and following the group. This activity is called “Calm and Follow the Leader.”

1. Ask the students to form a line behind you, the teacher. Explain that you will be their leader and they must follow your actions as closely as possible.
2. Begin walking around the classroom, periodically changing your actions (e.g., walking on tiptoes, clapping, or hopping). Encourage students to mimic your actions while staying calm and focused.
3. After a few minutes, assign a student to be the new leader. Continue the activity, allowing each student to have a turn as the leader.
4. Once everyone has had a chance to lead, gather the students for a brief discussion about the importance of staying calm and following the group when faced with unexpected situations.

Discussion Questions

Use these questions to facilitate further discussion about the importance of staying calm and following the group:

• Why is it important to stay calm when things don’t go as planned?
• How does staying calm and following the group help us adapt to new situations?
• Can you think of a time when you had to stay calm and follow the group? How did it make you feel?
• What strategies can you use to stay calm when faced with unexpected challenges?
• How can we support our friends and classmates in staying calm and following the group?

Related Skills

Besides staying calm and following the group, there are several other related skills that can benefit elementary students. Some of these skills include:

• Problem-solving: Students can learn to identify and solve problems by staying calm and working together with their peers.
• Active listening: Teaching students to actively listen to others can help them better understand and respond to their classmates’ feelings and needs.
• Empathy: Encouraging students to put themselves in others’ shoes can foster a supportive and inclusive classroom environment.
• Self-regulation: By learning to manage their emotions and impulses, students can develop greater self-control and resilience in the face of challenges.

Next Steps

Now that you’ve learned about the importance of staying calm and following the group, as well as related skills, it’s time to put these concepts into practice. To help you get started, sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech that can support you in teaching these essential skills and others in your classroom. By incorporating these principles into your teaching, you can help your students develop the skills they need to thrive both academically and socially.