Introduction
Blurting is a common behavior among kindergarten students. It occurs when a child speaks out loud without waiting for their turn or being called upon by the teacher. While it can be challenging for young children to resist blurting out, it’s important to teach them about its impact on their classmates and the learning environment. In this blog post, we’ll discuss an activity that helps kindergarten students understand blurting and its effects, incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning.
No-Prep Activity
This simple, no-prep activity can be used to help students understand the concept of blurting and the importance of waiting for their turn to speak. Begin by gathering the students in a circle and explaining the concept of blurting. Then, have students take turns sharing something about themselves, such as their favorite color or animal. During this sharing time, encourage students to practice raising their hand and waiting to be called on before speaking.
As the activity progresses, intentionally call on a student who has not raised their hand, prompting them to blurt out. Use this opportunity to discuss how it feels when someone blurts out and how it affects the classroom environment. This activity not only helps students understand the concept of blurting but also provides an opportunity for them to practice listening and waiting for their turn to speak.
Discussion Questions
- How did it feel when someone blurted out during the activity? How do you think it makes others feel when someone blurts out in class?
- Why is it important to wait for your turn to speak in the classroom?
- What strategies can you use to help remind yourself to wait for your turn to speak?
- How do you think the teacher feels when students blurt out during class?
- Can you think of a time when you wanted to blurt out but managed to wait for your turn? How did it make you feel?
Related Skills
Teaching students about blurting also helps develop other important social-emotional skills, such as:
- Active listening: Encouraging students to wait for their turn to speak reinforces the importance of listening to others.
- Self-regulation: Learning to control the impulse to blurt out helps students develop self-regulation and self-control skills.
- Respect for others: Understanding the effects of blurting on classmates and teachers fosters a sense of respect for others in the learning environment.
Next Steps
If you found this activity helpful and would like to explore more Social-Emotional Learning resources for kindergarten students, we invite you to sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech. Our platform offers a wide range of activities and lessons designed to help educators and parents support the social-emotional development of young learners.
