Introduction
Effective communication is a crucial life skill, and it’s essential to teach students how to express their feelings openly and honestly. When friends do things we don’t like, it’s important to let them know how we feel. This blog post will explore an easy, no-prep activity for educators to help elementary students learn to express their feelings and use positive self-talk to overcome their nervousness.
No-Prep Activity
This activity requires no preparation or materials and can be done in a classroom or small group setting. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Ask students to think of a time when someone did something that made them feel upset or uncomfortable.
- Invite them to share their experiences with the class or group, emphasizing the importance of respecting each other’s feelings and stories.
- Discuss the importance of expressing how they feel in a calm and clear manner.
- Introduce the concept of positive self-talk and explain how it can help them overcome nervousness when expressing their feelings.
- Provide examples of positive self-talk phrases, such as “I can do this,” “I am brave,” or “I have the right to express my feelings.”
- Encourage students to practice using positive self-talk in their heads before sharing their feelings with someone else.
Discussion Questions
Use these questions to stimulate further discussions among students:
- Why is it important to express our feelings when someone does something we don’t like?
- How does using positive self-talk help us when we’re nervous about sharing our feelings?
- What are some other ways we can communicate our feelings effectively?
- How can we show empathy and understanding when someone shares their feelings with us?
- Why is it essential to treat others with respect when discussing our feelings?
Related Skills
Learning to express feelings and use positive self-talk are essential aspects of social-emotional learning. Other related skills for students include:
- Active listening
- Empathy and understanding
- Conflict resolution
- Assertiveness
- Respecting personal boundaries
Next Steps
Help your students develop their social-emotional learning skills by exploring more resources and activities. Sign up for free samples of related materials and discover effective ways to teach students about expressing their feelings, using positive self-talk, and more. Empower your students to communicate better and enhance their interpersonal relationships.
