“Establish connections.”

The first weeks of school children are learning about you and about others in the classroom. Play games that facilitate connections. One game is to place the children in groups and within the groups they come up with all the things they have in common. This helps them to get to know each other and focus on their likenesses rather than their differences.

Another fun activity is the line game. Make a line down the center of the room. Ask a series of questions. Children respond to the questions by going to one side or the other side of the line. For example, if children have pets they go to one side of the line. If they do not, they go to another side of the line. Have questions that are meaningful, but also have some fun questions like, “If you had a hard time waking up this morning, go to this side of the line.” The more the children get to know each other, the more connections are facilitated!

Have a great day and a great school year. You are a difference maker.

Maryln