The following are tips for working with students, focusing on emotions and feelings as they transition into a new school year.
Role-Play
Role-playing is an excellent way for a child to explore, and rehearse the dynamics of a new situation. It also provides an opportunity for a child to confront feelings and offers them some control over a possible apprehensive or unknown situation. Role-playing can be accomplished through a variety of ways. For younger students using puppets, toys, games, songs and creative play. For older students use drama, real life situations, and open ended questions. It's important that you try to relate each role-play with the actual reality experience. Use puppets to role-play social skills such as meeting new friends, sharing and taking turns. Use creative play to model expected school behaviors such as being a good listener, raising one's hand, sitting and walking in line appropriately. Use role play for older children to practice social situations such as making friends, making good choices and settling conflicts.
Using Toys & Games
Playing with toys and games is an excellent way to introduce, reinforce skills and make learning a fun experience! For younger children manipulative toys such as pegboards, blocks, puzzles support are wonderful fine motor skill activities. They also offer a wide variety of concepts from color recognition, shapes, sequencing, matching, and spatial relationships. They also are a solid foundation to prepare children for reading, writing, math, etc. Games also provide practice in the area of social skills. Children learn how to take turns, follow the rules of the game, and wait while others are playing, which are all behaviors expected in a school setting. Use a variety of games with older children to introduce concepts and practice skills.
Reading
Books are an excellent way for children to relate to and share experiences. They offer students opportunities to express their feelings, and fears through relating to stories or specific characters. Books are great vehicles for role-play, and creative play. They are also wonderful tools to connect children with each other through common interests. And children who are already excited about reading, will be excited about learning to read or continuing to improve his/her reading and writing skills in the classroom.
Provide students with opportunities to discuss their feelings
Talk with children about the wide range of feelings they might experience. Ask questions like, "What are some strong feelings that you have?" "Where do you feel your feelings in your body?" "Can you tell the difference between your feelings?" "Who can you talk to and tell about your strong feelings?" Help your students have a positive self-concept. Teach children that it's okay to be different.
Make an effort to get to know each individual child as quickly as possible
Take some time each day to welcome each student one-on-one. Find out how they are doing and ask about pets, sports, and other interests they may have. A student survey done at the start of the school year will help you gather some information. Also, parents can provide information about children's likes, dislikes, and special interests. Welcome suggestions from families, particularly those of children with special needs. Parents can offer specific suggestions they have found useful for their own child, and advise on classroom modifications. Don't forget that your students are individuals with their own "story". Take the time to find out what their story is and show interest when talking with each one.
