Bubbles: A Social Skills Activity

Summary

In this video, Lanna Lonstein, a child and family therapist, demonstrates an activity called 'Bubbles' to teach children important social skills such as turn-taking, patience, and sharing. Alongside her daughter Jamie and their friend Josh, Lanna guides the children through the activity, emphasizing rules like asking politely, thanking others, and waiting for their turn. The fun and interactive session encourages kids to learn pro-social behaviors in a playful, engaging environment, reinforcing the value of kindness, sharing, and respectful interaction.

Takeaways

• 😀 Taking turns is an essential skill for children to learn in social settings.
• 😀 Children should be encouraged to ask politely when they want something, such as saying 'please may I have the bubbles.'
• 😀 Gratitude is important, and children should be taught to thank others when they receive something, such as saying 'thank you for giving me the bubbles.'
• 😀 Bubbles should be blown in a way that respects others' space, avoiding blowing them in someone's face.
• 😀 The game encourages children to wait patiently for their turn, reinforcing the concept of patience.
• 😀 Children should be reminded that they will get a turn eventually, even if they don’t go first, promoting fairness and equity.
• 😀 Sharing is a valuable lesson, and passing the bubbles after using them is a practical way to teach this.
• 😀 Polite social interactions are reinforced by saying 'please,' 'thank you,' and offering positive feedback like 'good job.'
• 😀 Positive reinforcement is important: praising children for good behavior, such as waiting patiently or blowing bubbles well, builds confidence.
• 😀 The activity serves as a fun and engaging way to teach children pro-social behaviors while maintaining a sense of structure and clear rules.

Q & A

What is the main objective of the 'Bubbles' activity in the video?

The main objective of the 'Bubbles' activity is to help children learn pro-social behavior, specifically focusing on taking turns, sharing, and showing patience while interacting with others.

What are the key rules for participating in the bubble-blowing activity?

The key rules include: waiting for your turn, saying 'please may I have the bubbles' to ask for a turn, thanking the person who gives the bubbles, blowing bubbles away from others' faces, and sharing by passing the bubbles after three turns.

How does the video demonstrate the concept of sharing?

The video demonstrates sharing by showing how the children pass the bubbles to one another after their turn, ensuring that everyone gets a chance to participate and that no one monopolizes the activity.

What important lesson about patience is taught in this activity?

The activity teaches that patience is important, especially when waiting for your turn. It also emphasizes that even if you don’t get the bubbles first, you will eventually get a turn, reinforcing the value of waiting.

How does the therapist ensure that the children follow the rules?

The therapist actively reminds the children of the rules throughout the activity, such as asking them to say 'please' and 'thank you,' and ensuring they blow the bubbles away from faces, offering positive reinforcement for good behavior.

Why is it emphasized that the children should not blow bubbles in anyone's face?

It is emphasized to ensure that the children show respect for others' personal space, reinforcing the idea of being considerate and thoughtful while engaging in group activities.

What does the video suggest about the value of positive reinforcement?

The video suggests that positive reinforcement, such as praising the children for their good behavior (e.g., waiting patiently or saying 'thank you'), helps encourage continued good behavior and social learning.

How does the activity promote pro-social behavior beyond sharing?

Beyond sharing, the activity promotes pro-social behavior by teaching the importance of using polite phrases like 'please' and 'thank you,' waiting patiently for a turn, and acknowledging others' actions through praise ('good job').

What role does the therapist play in the activity?

The therapist acts as a guide and facilitator, explaining the rules, modeling appropriate behavior, and providing feedback to the children to help them learn the values of patience, sharing, and politeness.

What insights do the children give about what they learned from the activity?

The children express that they learned the importance of sharing and being patient, particularly waiting for their turn and allowing others to go first, which contributes to a positive social environment.