By Michaela Dewey - Greenville County Schools
Summary: This blog discusses the importance of creating inclusive environments where all children feel welcome, especially those who might otherwise feel left out. The blog suggests that by adults learning how to engage in fun activities, children are more likely to connect with each other. It introduces simple games like Pencil Balance, Head-Shoulders-Plate, Gotcha, and handshakes as effective ways to foster inclusion, teamwork, and fun among children.
While working with a group of children you can easily identify the outliers. These are the ones who would rather sit out of an activity than participate. Often, these are the children who would be picked last for a team for kickball. How can adults create an environment that allows all children to feel included?
Inclusion is more than just allowing children to be together in one space. inclusion is a mindset. When we treat people differently, we are teaching exclusion.
Here are three main ways to bridge the gap between having an excluding environment versus an including environment.
First, you have to learn how to have fun. Children of all ages learn and connect through play. If you are willing to play with children, they will be willing to play with each other. Quick and easy connection games can include pencil balance, head-shoulders-plate, gotcha, and simple handshakes.
Pencil Balance: Children are in groups. Each child needs one pencil. Child A will put their pointer finger on the end of their pencil and try to balance the pencil against the pointer finger of Child B on their right. Meanwhile, Child C on that child’s left is trying to balance their pencil between their pointer finger and Child A. This forms a connected circle of children and pencils.
For extension: Try having children move around, sit down, or simply raise their arms to see if they can stay connected and balanced.
Head-Shoulders-Plate: Watch this video to see how it is played! I like to use a paper plate and have the children slide the plate with their foot instead of grabbing a cone. This keeps children from knocking heads.
Gotcha: Watch this video for clear instructions. I like to play this in a bigger circle than just partners. When I say the word “Gotcha!” the children try to grab the finger without being grabbed!
Simple Handshakes: Visit Podo Town English for fun hand clapping games.
Second, you have to learn how to disengage stress. After the connection through play has occurred, taking a moment to breathe together disengages any stress or anxieties that children bring with them into a new environment.
There are many different ways to breathe together to disengage stress. You can use some of the breathing techniques listed in this image.
Finally, you have to learn how to commit to a common goal. When children have the opportunity to form a common goal, they are more likely to feel a part of their community. You can find some examples of possible commitments on Teachers Pay Teachers.
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About the Author
Michaela Dewey is a 4th grade teacher at Lake Forest Elementary in Greenville County. She has her Master’s Degree in education and is working towards her Master’s in Administration from Anderson University. Michaela’s goal is to support teachers on the front lines as they build relationships and seek to include everyone who enters their classrooms.
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