Introduction

As educators, especially those working with students in Special Education, it’s important to teach the concept that actions have consequences. These consequences can be either positive or negative, depending on the action taken. It’s normal for students to feel upset or frustrated when faced with a negative consequence, but the key is to help them learn how to accept it calmly and avoid making the situation worse. In this blog post, we will discuss a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help students understand the consequences of their actions and learn strategies to accept them positively.

No-Prep Activity: The Consequence Chain

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. Start by having students sit in a circle. The educator will begin by giving an example of an action, such as helping someone in school. The student to the left of the educator will then provide a positive consequence that could result from that action, such as making a new friend. The next student will then provide a negative consequence that could also result from the same action, like being late to class.

Continue the chain around the circle, alternating between positive and negative consequences for the same action until everyone has participated. This activity helps students understand that actions can have both positive and negative consequences, and that it’s important to consider the possible outcomes before making a decision.

Discussion Questions

1. What are some examples of positive and negative consequences that you have experienced? How did you react to them?
2. Why is it important to stay calm when faced with a negative consequence? What can happen if you don’t?
3. Discuss some calming strategies that you can use when faced with a negative consequence. What works best for you?
4. How can self-talk help you stay calm and accept the consequences of your actions? What are some examples of self-talk you could use?
5. Why is it important to think about your choices before you act? How can considering the consequences of your actions help you make better decisions?

Related Skills

Teaching students about the consequences of actions and accepting them positively is closely related to several other important skills:

• Problem-solving: Learning to consider the consequences of actions helps students develop effective problem-solving skills, as they learn to think critically about the potential outcomes of their decisions.
• Emotion regulation: Accepting consequences calmly and managing frustration is an essential aspect of emotion regulation, which is a crucial component of social-emotional learning.
• Self-awareness: Understanding the consequences of actions and how they affect others promotes self-awareness and empathy, as students become more aware of the impact of their behavior on those around them.
• Communication skills: Discussing consequences and accepting them positively helps students develop effective communication skills, as they learn to express their feelings and thoughts in a constructive manner.

Next Steps

Now that you have an understanding of how to teach students about the consequences of actions and strategies for accepting them positively, we encourage you to take the next step in your educational journey. To access free samples of materials related to this skill and others, please sign up here. By incorporating these principles into your teaching, you can help students develop essential social-emotional skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.