After I read the story, the class discussed examples of warm fuzzies and cold pricklies. Examples of warm fuzzies are hugs, smiles, jokes (as long as they're kind), encouraging words, compliments, sharing. Examples of cold pricklies are put-downs, insults, mean faces, hurtful hands, taking toys without asking. Children were anxious to start sharing warm fuzzies with each other, and there were lots of hugs and smiles given 'round the room. Adrian started hugging Sydney and ended up stepping on her - he apologized and said, "Sorry, that was kind of like a warm fuzzy and a cold prickly in one!"
Next time we do Tribes, each group will be challenged to make a map of Fuzzyland. Like all Tribes activities, there are objectives in mind - in this case, to build inclusion, to understand the importance of kindness to others, and to learn to work cooperatively on tasks.
These will be hung in place of the old tribal banners we have hanging over our desks.
3 comments:
I can just visualize them hugging each other. Good object lesson.
Odie
Maddy really enjoyed this activity. I remember doing something similar when I was young. I also like drawing warm fuzzies.
TA for Tots and Other Prinzes by Alvin Freed was printed in 1973 and is still available today. It was used in the beginning of every year with my combined first and second grade classes. TA stands for Transactional Analysis, a system for personal growth and change. It’s about feeling warm fuzzies and cold pricklies and feeling that they are prinzes instead of frozzes (his unisex terms for princes, princesses, and frogs). The two terms were easy to understand and simplified discussions about getting along and during conflicts. “Are you feeling some good warm fuzzies today?” Or “I know you’re having cold pricklies right now. How can you change that?” Children loved the book and used the terms easily with one another.
Read more about children’s personal development and social interaction in my book, Early Childhood Programs: Opportunities for Academic, Cognitive, and Personal Success, Included is a web site where programs and activities can be downloaded for use in a classroom. Also, see 7 reviews on www.amazon.com
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