Introduction

As educators, it is essential to teach students about various emotions and how to navigate them. One such emotion is jealousy, which can arise when someone else receives attention or possesses something that a student desires. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help students understand and manage feelings of jealousy.

No-Prep Activity

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator and can be easily implemented in the classroom. Have students form a circle and share a personal story about a time they felt jealous. Encourage them to identify why they felt that way and how they dealt with their emotions. After each student has shared, discuss as a group the common themes and feelings that emerged. This activity promotes self-awareness and empathy by allowing students to recognize and understand their own emotions and those of their peers.

Discussion Questions

1. How does it feel when you’re jealous of someone or something? Can you describe the emotion?
2. What are some ways we can manage our feelings of jealousy in a healthy and constructive manner?
3. How can we support our friends when they are experiencing jealousy?
4. Why is it important to recognize and understand our feelings of jealousy?
5. Can you think of a time when you overcame your jealousy and felt happy for someone else? What helped you do that?

Related Skills

In addition to understanding and managing jealousy, there are other relevant skills that students can benefit from learning. These include:

• Empathy: Developing empathy helps students understand and share the feelings of others, which can contribute to healthier relationships and a more supportive classroom environment.
• Self-awareness: Being aware of one’s emotions, strengths, and weaknesses allows students to recognize and manage their feelings, including jealousy.
• Conflict resolution: Learning to navigate disagreements and conflicts in a respectful and constructive manner can help students address feelings of jealousy and prevent them from escalating.
• Gratitude: Practicing gratitude encourages students to focus on the positive aspects of their lives, which can help them cope with feelings of jealousy and envy.

Next Steps

Teaching students about jealousy and related social-emotional skills can significantly impact their emotional well-being and relationships with peers. To access free samples of materials and resources to teach these skills and more, sign up at Everyday Speech.