Learning Objectives
• Recognize and articulate positive qualities in oneself and others.
• Experience feelings of appreciation and validation through giving and receiving compliments.
• Practice expressing kindness and empathy towards peers.
Instructions
- Have the children sit in a circle and explain the concept of giving and receiving compliments.
- Start the activity by modelling a compliment and passing a soft object, such as a plush toy, to the person being complimented.
- Encourage each participant to take turns giving a compliment to the person on their right, passing the object after each compliment.
- Emphasize the importance of sincerity and kindness in their compliments.
- Continue the activity until everyone has had a chance to give and receive compliments.
- Since this activity is design for all age groups, encourage older participants to delve deeper into their compliments, highlighting specific qualities or actions they admire in their peers.
- For older groups, introduce the rules:
- Compliments can’t be repeated
- The one who give the biggest number of compliments wins
Debrief
- Gather the participants together after the Compliment Circle.
- Reflect on their experiences and achievements during the activity.
- Guide the conversation towards the concept of kindness and appreciation by asking questions such as:
- How did it feel to give and receive compliments during the activity?
- Did any compliments you received surprise you? Why or why not?
- How did giving compliments affect your feelings towards your peers?
- Encourage participants to share their favourite compliments they received.
- Use the opportunity to reinforce the importance of expressing kindness and appreciation in building positive relationships.
Materials
- Soft object (plush toy, ball, etc.) for passing
- Optional: small cards or notes for writing compliments
