Introduction

Constructive criticism is an essential part of personal growth. It helps us identify areas where we can improve and motivates us to learn new skills. Teaching elementary students to accept criticism positively is crucial in fostering a growth mindset and encouraging resilience. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills that will help educators teach their students to accept criticism in a positive manner.

No-Prep Activity: The Feedback Sandwich

The Feedback Sandwich is a simple and engaging activity that requires no preparation or materials from the educator. This activity teaches students how to give and receive criticism in a positive and supportive manner. Here’s how it works:

1. Divide the students into pairs.
2. Ask each student to think of a recent project or task they completed.
3. Have each student share their project or task with their partner.
4. Guide the students to give feedback using the “Feedback Sandwich” method, which consists of three parts:
1. Start with a positive comment about the project or task.
2. Share a constructive criticism or suggestion for improvement.
3. Finish with another positive comment or encouragement.
5. Encourage the students to listen carefully to their partner’s feedback and reflect on how they can use it to improve.
6. Have the students switch roles and repeat the process.

This activity helps students practice giving and receiving criticism in a positive and supportive environment, making it easier for them to accept constructive feedback in the future.

Discussion Questions

1. How did you feel when you received criticism during the Feedback Sandwich activity? How can you use that feedback to improve your work?
2. Why is it important to accept criticism positively? How does it help us grow and learn?
3. Can you think of a time when someone gave you constructive criticism? How did it help you improve?
4. What are some strategies you can use to stay calm and open-minded when receiving criticism?
5. How can you give feedback to others in a respectful and helpful way?

Related Skills

Teaching students to accept criticism positively is closely related to other essential social-emotional learning skills, such as:

• Effective communication: Sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings in a clear and respectful manner.
• Active listening: Paying attention to others and showing empathy and understanding.
• Self-awareness: Recognizing personal strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth.
• Resilience: Overcoming challenges and setbacks with a positive attitude and determination.

Next Steps

Teaching elementary students to accept criticism positively is a valuable skill that will help them grow and thrive both academically and personally. To explore more activities and resources designed to support social-emotional learning, we encourage you to sign up for free samples of our skill-building materials at Everyday Speech.