Fun stuff for six-year-old girls?

May 23, 2008 7:45 PM

What should I do with eight six-year-old girls for 1.5 hours a week that targets social skills and building peer relationships?

I am a special ed teacher and am teaching a social skills group/pre-brownies group this summer targeted specifically towards one student in my class. She does not have a documented disability nor does she qualify for any special education services, but is a little quirky and definitely does her own thing. Her family has the resources to organize this group (all little girls in her class next year) and basically wants to ensure their daughter develops some lasting friendships and gains confidence to initiate socially with her peers. So, I'm running this group and am searching for some fun, age appropriate activities to do? Any suggestions along the lines to fun games, art projects, etc?

posted by enaira to education (8 comments total)

When I read the question on the front page I immediately thought Girl Scout activities, and you say here you want to do pre-Brownies stuff. I think that kind of thing (not necessarily going out and earning badges, but doing those types of things) like learning how to make their own snacks, or doing service projects together, or sewing a quilt together would be really good. Anything that gets them to work together to accomplish a common goal will make them closer, teach them how to work on a team, and make them each more comfortable taking a leadership role (have them trade off).

If you have the time to devote to them, why not start a true Brownie troop? The Girl Scouts are an excellent organization.
posted by phunniemee at 8:03 PM on May 23, 2008

I just read your question more closely...you asked for specific activities. Here are some of the things I remember from when I was a Brownie Scout:
-Our troop planned a theme together and then each designed our own t-shirts (yesss...the early 90s wouldn't have been the same without puffy paint) as part of the theme.
-For "Thinking Day" (where each troop in your county picks a country to present at a big "party" thing) we picked a country that we liked (Italy!) and learned how to make our favorite food from that country (pizza!)
-We collected pet food for the Humane Society
-We each painted something on a blank tile and made a mosaic for the troop
-We had day trips to a zoo, an art museum, and other places where we could learn stuff and have fun
-We went to the beach one day and built a giant sand castle together (this works better if you live close to a beach)
-We learned the basic parts of a healthy meal and how to make simple snacks
-Lots of other great things I can't remember...
posted by phunniemee at 8:11 PM on May 23, 2008

Pre-Brownies would be Daisy Girl Scouts. Some resources and activity ideas here.

If starting a troop appeals...my daughter's was a Daisy troop that eventually became a Brownie troop.
posted by gnomeloaf at 9:12 PM on May 23, 2008

Puppet shows
Nature hikes (identify plants, birds etc; learn basic compass use; learn to read maps; this can have a treasure hunt theme)(or geocaching!); trash clean-up projects
Cooperative games
community garden

String jewelry; friendship bracelets; beads; weaving; knitting/crocheting
Papier mache face masks
posted by LobsterMitten at 9:18 PM on May 23, 2008

FIELD TRIPS! Groups of kids love nothing more than field trips. Nothing builds better bonds among kids than experiencing new things together.

There are TONS of places you can go in Seattle. Museums, aquariums, planetariums. Call up your local fire station (use the LOCAL number, not 911...you would not believe the amount of people who call 911 to talk to a police officer or fireman) and police station, and ask them about female officers. Try to schedule a meeting with them. Meeting up with female firefighters and cops is badass for little girls.

Any local petting zoos nearby?

Go to google books and look up "out & about with kids seattle". TONS of stuff.

One thing you WILL need access to will be a large van, and a chaperone. That way you can play zone defense.

I once was part of a program for teenage girls that seemingly focused on cooking, but was actually about discussing important issues (sex, puberty, interaction with other females, drugs, school, etc)...although I think that was pretty damn cool, 6 year olds may be a little too young for this. I would also ask you to reconsider any suggestions based around food. These poor girls will undoubtedly be pushed towards cooking (as a chore, not an art or science) later in life...why put them through it now?

Field trips, field trips, field trips!


Good luck!
posted by hal_c_on at 9:21 PM on May 23, 2008

Have dress up tea parties. Supply some basic "dress up clothes" thrift store or donations from mom's closet, bridesmaids gowns, tiaras, gloves, hats, flashy costume jewelry, stoles, boas, etc.

The first hour or so, let everyone "dress". This would be a great social interaction, girls helping each other pick out just the right combination for a stunning outfit. Lots of self esteem building can go on during this time. "You look beautiful darling".

Now for the tea. Each week serve a different course to build upon table manners. Teach them how to eat and serve properly. Some food items that can be a challenge to eat gracefully, for example:

Spaghetti
Soup (no slurping!)
Fruit on the rind (cantaloupe, kiwi, watermelon)
Finger sandwiches
Fresh vegetable dip (no double dipping)
Petite Fours (don't shove the whole thing in your mouth at once)
Salad (don't dare cut the leaves)
Block of cheese and crackers (who cut the cheese?)
Butter and bread, do you cut the loaf with a knife or break off a portion? If the butter is on a serving dish, do you dip into it every time you want some butter on your bread or do you slice off a chunk and put it on your bread plate? What is a bread plate?

They can help set the table. Correct placement of fork, spoon, knife and napkin.
Take turns being the hostess, learning how to serve you guest.
How to cut a cake when it is presented whole, how to get the slice onto the plate (still can't do that well)
Tea pot, how to pour correctly (I would use iced tea)
How to squeeze a slice of lemon without squirting your table companions in the eye. (Happened to me on a date, I was the squirtee, eye make up was running down my cheek :(

This may sound frivolous to some, but it will build self confidence and social graces. Have fun!
posted by JujuB at 10:06 PM on May 23, 2008

Is there a skate rink nearby? Start a junior roller derby league!
posted by bizwank at 1:26 AM on May 24, 2008

Making your own puppets out of socks/paper bags. When everyone is done, they can all go around the circle and talk about the puppet they made. I've found that some kids who are reluctant to talk to others will sometimes have an easier time talking while "in character," so to speak. Obviously, you don't want your students to speak only through a puppet, but it can be a useful bridge to appropriate social interaction.

Board games in groups of 2 or 3. After ten minutes or so, you can rotate groups to another game.

Does the little girl in question enjoy jumping rope? Maybe they can take turns jumping, turning the rope, standing in line/cheering each other on. Very good for getting wiggles out! If you can find a recording of jump rope rhymes at the library, so much the better.

Building a playhouse out of large cardboard boxes. Every time I've done this with a group of kids, it brings the house down, so to speak.

Best of luck with your group!
posted by corey flood at 1:18 PM on May 24, 2008