For teachers, guardians, babysitters, etc. I NEED YOUR HELP!?

Question

Hello, there! I am 13 yrs old and I currently volunteer to watch the PreK 4 class in my school during lunch.

There are two girls. Lets call them X and Y.

X and Y never, ever talk to anyone in the class other than to eacher.

They do not participate AT ALL and do not include other kids in their games.

How can we help X and Y branch out or participate with the class?

Answer 1

find out their interests.... also find out the other children's interests.... discuss with all children the similar interests.... create a space with materials that are of common interest..... do some research into setting up an environment that facilitates relationships!

Answer 2

This is a tough one because it is going to have to be a gradual process to make sure that x and y do not have emotional meltdowns as a result of the branching out.  If there is assigned seating, first start with moving everyone to new seats so that they can "meet other students and make new friends". Then start new partner activities such as telling stories to each other or doing simple math or reciting rhymes whatever.  Make it a rule that the person sitting next to them is their partner.

Answer 3

Play ring-around-the-rosie and invite (force) *them* to play. Maybe if the other kids branch out to them first, it will have the same result as they themselves branching out: Everyone plays together and they become less exclusive. You should also probably push them into the direction of inviting others, like, "Why don't you invite So-and-so to your game, too? Come on over, So-and-so!"

Answer 4

i usually asks them to do me 2 favors. they will have to work alone for a while then i ask other 2 people (A,B) for another favor and ask X to help the A and Y to help B. "No" is not an option.

Answer 5

talk to them and see what they like to do - then plan a game around those activities - start with the two little girls then start calling other children over one at a time asking them "X, is it okay if Katie plays?" - normally they will say yes, if they say no, tell Katie "sorry, maybe X will want to play tomorrow" - good luck.

Answer 6

have circle time..and talk about your favorite foods...then ask X and Y what foods they like...be like "do you like pizza? I looove pizza" with a smile...

Answer 7

Call they're parents and have a little "meeting" with the kids. The kids may just be scared to branch out because they're shy or scared that the kids might be mean to them. And they may already know each other well, so they're not afraind of each other. Tell X and Y I hope they'll get better!

Answer 8

make an activity that will make everyone in class participate like games and doing action songs, you can also talk to them separately not during class hours and get to know them better so that they can open up to you and befriend you

Answer 9

Well, my philosophy is that you can not force children to be friends with each other. You can't MAKE them want to talk to others. I would let them do their own thing and not worry about it. They have to be nice to everyone, but they don't have to play with everyone.

The only problem would be if they are mean or rude to other children. You could then talk to them about how it makes the others feel and acceptable ways of interacting with other children. However, you didn't say they were mean to others, so I'll assume that for now they're happy in their own little world.

I'd just keep having fun with the other kids. Eventually, they might want to join in. Ask them every time, but don't make a big deal about it. Just say happily "Okay! We're having lots of fun. Join us if you change your minds." I imagine that the more you push it or try to force them, the more they will resist.

Kids and who they want to talk to or play with usually change over time. I wouldn't worry about it.

Answer 10

Hey! I, too, am 13, so I'll be happy to help. I've been in a similar situation- I've spent my lunch in a kinder class room with two other girls last year. They, too, didn't participate.

Well, I kind of made them do stuff. If the teacher gave me a job, I would ask for one of them to help. I also became good friends with both of them, which helped them open up to me and be more willing to help me out.

Oh, but if they won't talk to you on their own, go up to them during their conversation and ask a question or something. "I love your shoes where did you get them?" is always a good opening.

Good luck!