Have you ever found yourself contemplating the origins of your insecurities and the ways to conquer them?
In our ‘Asking ‘Why?’ SEL’ activity, we embark on a reflective journey, delving deep into the core of these insecurities and seeking strategies to overcome them. It’s a well-established fact that the simple act of asking ‘Why’ can lead to profound insights.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through this transformative exercise, designed to help students gain a deeper understanding of themselves and discover effective approaches for building confidence and resilience. Join us on this enlightening exploration of self-discovery and empowerment as we unlock the potential for personal growth and emotional well-being.
The Goal
This exercise helps students take a deeper look into their insecurities to find ways to overcome them.
RAMP (ASCA) Mindset & Behaviors addressed and developed:
Academic: Critical Thinking; Self Direction / Self Motivation.
Career: Communication; Social Maturity.
Social/Emotional: Identifying Goals; Perseverance; Coping Skills; Empathy; Self-Confidence; Whole Self.
Materials
- Circle of chairs
- Indigo Report
Step 1:
Have students form pairs—one listener, one talker. Tell the talker to share one of their insecurities with the listener.
Example: “Why” questions could allow one student to express that he wants to do well in school so he doesn’t feel stupid.
Step 2:
Have the listener begin asking the talker “Why” questions (“Why does this make you feel insecure?”). There will be five questions each round.
Step 3:
Switch roles and do another five rounds.
Step 4:
Have the students talk about how they could deal with their insecurities. Ask if any groups feel comfortable sharing.
Note: For individual students that discuss deep or troubling issues, reference their Social Emotional Scores on the Indigo Dashboard.