As educators, we understand the importance of social-emotional learning (SEL) for the overall development of our students. Teaching social skills to PreK students can help them build strong relationships and develop a sense of belonging in their learning environment. In this blog post, we will discuss an engaging no-prep activity to teach PreK students the skill of greeting others, followed by discussion questions, related skills, and next steps.

Introduction

Greeting others is a fundamental social skill that helps students establish connections with their peers and teachers. By introducing themselves and saying “Nice to meet you,” children learn to express their feelings, show respect, and create a welcoming atmosphere. This simple yet vital skill will lay the foundation for their social-emotional growth and future interpersonal interactions.

No-Prep Activity

This no-prep activity provides an opportunity for students to practice greeting others in a fun, interactive way. The activity is called “Pass the Greeting.” Here’s how it works:

1. Have the students sit in a circle.
2. Explain that they will practice greeting each other by passing a greeting around the circle.
3. Start by greeting the student to your left using the following format: “Hi, I’m [Your Name]. Nice to meet you.”
4. The student you greeted will then turn to their left and greet the next student using the same format. This continues until the greeting reaches the original sender.
5. Once the greeting has gone around the circle, encourage the students to switch places and repeat the activity, giving them the opportunity to greet different classmates.

Through this activity, PreK students will learn to introduce themselves, listen to others, and practice the phrase “Nice to meet you” in a comfortable, supportive environment.

Discussion Questions

After completing the activity, use these discussion questions to stimulate further conversations and deepen the students’ understanding of the importance of greetings:

1. How did it feel to greet your classmates and hear them greet you?
2. Why do you think it is important to greet others when meeting them for the first time?
3. How can greeting someone help you make friends?
4. What are some other ways we can show respect and kindness to others?
5. How can we practice our greeting skills outside of school?

Related Skills

Beyond greeting others, there are many other social skills that contribute to a child’s social-emotional development. Some related skills for PreK students include:

• Active listening
• Expressing empathy
• Sharing and taking turns
• Cooperating with others
• Respecting personal boundaries

Next Steps

Now that you have explored the importance of teaching social skills to PreK students through greetings, it’s time to continue your journey in fostering their social-emotional growth. To access free samples of skill-building activities and materials, sign up at Everyday Speech. By incorporating these resources into your curriculum, you can help your students develop essential social skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.