Talk about belonging without asking for a personal account

Invite ideas for a fictional welcoming club. Children can suggest clear choices, helpful signs or ways to join, exploring practical features of belonging without being asked to disclose a time they felt excluded.

Clear activity choices can help an invented newcomer understand the space.

Use imagination to keep contribution optional

Use an imagined setting to discuss welcoming actions. The activity does not require anyone to report a personal experience of exclusion.

Describe the club. Add welcoming actions. Discuss optional ideas.

No child needs to explain private experiences. Which action would make participation clearer?

Use drawings instead of speaking.

Resources

• Welcome to Our Game Cards — Use the invitation prompts to practise welcoming and respectful responses.

Further reading

• ACECQA — play, leisure and intentionality

Read next

• Use the name and pronunciation the person offers
• Perspective-taking leaves room for more than one explanation
• Leaving a shared activity can include a useful handover

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