Introduction

Change can be challenging, especially for young children. When things don’t go as expected, it’s common for children to feel angry or worried. To help them cope with change, we can teach them the concept of an Open Mind. An Open Mind allows children to imagine new ideas or changes and helps them try new things. In contrast, a Closed Mind doesn’t welcome new ideas or changes, leading to negative feelings and resistance. By developing an Open Mind, children can remain calm, consider new ideas, and be more willing to try new things. This blog post will guide educators in teaching Kindergarten students how to use an Open Mind and embrace change.

No-Prep Activity: The Open Mind Storytelling Game

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. The goal is to encourage children to practice using an Open Mind while having fun and engaging their creativity.

1. Have the students sit in a circle.
2. Explain that you will start a story, and each student will have a turn adding a sentence to the story.
3. Encourage the students to listen carefully and think about what they can add to the story using their Open Mind.
4. Begin the story with a simple sentence, such as “Once upon a time, there was a little caterpillar named Charlie.”
5. Continue around the circle, allowing each student to contribute a sentence to the story.
6. After the story is complete, discuss how the students used their Open Minds to create a unique and imaginative story together.

Discussion Questions

1. How did using an Open Mind help you come up with new ideas for the story?
2. Can you think of a time when you used your Open Mind to try something new or cope with a change? How did it make you feel?
3. What are some ways you can remind yourself to use your Open Mind when faced with a change or a new situation?
4. How can having an Open Mind help you make friends or work together with others?
5. Why is it important to practice using our Open Mind regularly?

Related Skills

Teaching an Open Mind is just one aspect of Social-Emotional Learning. Other relevant skills for students include:

• Self-awareness: Understanding one’s own emotions and thoughts in response to change.
• Self-regulation: Managing emotions and reactions to change in a healthy and constructive way.
• Empathy: Understanding and respecting the feelings and perspectives of others when they face change.
• Problem-solving: Finding creative solutions to challenges and adapting to new situations.
• Communication: Expressing thoughts and feelings about change effectively and respectfully.

Next Steps

Teaching an Open Mind is a valuable skill to help Kindergarten students cope with change and build a foundation for lifelong learning. By practicing this skill, students can become more adaptable, resilient, and open to new experiences. To explore more activities and resources for teaching an Open Mind and other Social-Emotional Learning skills, sign up for free samples of our materials at Everyday Speech.