| Hey teachers! Are you looking for ways to start building social emotional skills into your daily classroom life? I have a few ideas for you today – conversation starters you can use during morning meeting, class, meeting, or at other times! Please also make sure to comment and let me know other conversation starters you use! |
Morning Meeting / Start of the Day Conversation Starters
Try these during morning meeting or when you meet together at the rug first thing in the morning:
- How are you feeling this morning?
- What zone are you in and why? (use with the zones of regulation)
- How might you help someone today?
- Is there a random act of kindness you could do today?
- How will you handle it if something is hard for you today?
Class Meeting or As Needed
Try scenario based conversation starters like these, and even consider splitting your class into small groups:
Your class is on a field trip. Your friends are making fun of a boy who is walking slowly. What will you do?
You’re having a great time playing at your after school care but mom comes to pick you up. How do you feel? What do you say and do?
A classmate is having a birthday party and invited everyone in the class except for two boys. Do you say or do anything?
You are on the bus sitting next to a friend. Your friend is being mean to his little brother. Do you say or do anything?
End of the Day
- How did you help someone today?
- How did you handle something that was hard for you?
- How do you feel about today? Why?
- What is something you are proud of?
- What is something you want to do better tomorrow?
- Tell about someone or something you appreciate and why.
- Thank someone in the room and explain why you are thanking them.
“Homework” or Suggestions for Parent Conversation Starters
- What was your favorite thing about today and why?
- How did you help someone today?
- Who did you play with today and how do you feel about what you did with them?
- Was there anything that gave you strong feelings (made you sad, mad) today?
If you are working on building social emotional skills, you may also like the blog post Helping Kids be Kind! Additionally, I have a freebie called 100 Random Acts of Kindness that might fit right in!
Please comment let us know what your favorite conversation starter is is!
