Even as an adult, starting a conversation or saying something nice can be awkward or even uncomfortable. Do I say hi, hello, what’s up, wave, or give the good old-fashioned head nod? The stakes get higher if it’s someone we want to impress and the last thing we want to do is come off weird. These are skills that take practice and which require moments to practice them!
The First Five provides both structured and natural opportunities to engage in these positive interactions. From greeting one another at the door to short activities centered around positivity, these interactions cultivated by the First Five create opportunities for practice. When we do the First Five with our students, we create low-risk moments that build up the confidence our students need to finally approach that group in the lunchroom or ask a stranger for help without overthinking it and freezing up.
Every positive interaction builds a reserve we can reference and rely on when the time comes. Whether it’s a random conversation, a new connection, or even a potential friendship, initiating positive interactions is a powerful skill we can help our students build. As teachers, let’s make those moments feel more familiar.
-Edtomorrow Team