Finding a Teachable Moment in an Unexpected Way
“In the Room Where it Happens!”
Recently, we used the popular Escape the Room experience as a catalyst for teaching SEL to our students. Popularized in recent years, it involves key social and emotional skills such as teamwork and collaboration, perspective taking, communication, problem solving, decision making, frustration tolerance, self-awareness, and so much more!
With five minutes on the clock, our friends were only on clue #5 out of 10. At this point, barring a miracle or some significant teacher intervention, there was no way the Meeting House teens would escape the room. I looked at my co- teacher Lindsay, puzzled, confused, and slightly worried and asked, “what should we do?” Spoiler alert: we did not escape the room.
With limited time remaining on the clock, we ran out of time. Collectively, we gave up and acknowledged defeat along with some of the associated feelings. In true Meeting House fashion, we invoked the integrity of the circle to explore, process, and ultimately reframe what had just occurred in SEL terms. Somewhat surprisingly, the facial expressions and body language did not fit that of a group that had just “lost” an escape from the room adventure. Kids were smiling, laughing, and already starting to reminisce about what had just taken place. These students understood the inherent value in the activity — it was not about winning and losing but rather something far bigger and important. At Meeting House, we like to say it becomes a teachable moment. More important than “esacping the room”, we learned how to stay in the room and challenge the discomfort.
Teamwork and Collaboration
Working together with others can be very challenging. We’ve all experienced it in different ways. Practicing collaboration is always a worthwhile effort. The ability to work with others is a universal life skill, whether it be an in-school group project, working together professionally, or navigating an escape room type scenario. We will always need to co-exist within group settings.
Effective Communication
Escape the Room games teach participants how to actively listen, communicate both verbally and nonverbally, as well as pick up on social cues. Everyone’s input is important in the escape room game and the attention shifts from convincing others to creating a trusting team. This requires patience, self-regulation and the ability to take perspective.
Frustration Tolerance
This type of activity requires the ability to tolerate and regulate one’s emotions as it relates to winning and losing as well as taking turns and working together. How well can an individual tolerate the pressure of the situation?
Self Awareness
It allows an individual to become aware of what role he or she plays within a group setting. Are they the leader, the passive observer who waits for things to develop, or the person who perhaps bows out when the pressure is on? Without judgment, this type of exercise highlights the role one plays within the group.
Tips for Parents
Before starting a game with your child, talk to them about expected behaviors while playing and general rules for the game. Repeating short games more than once allows a child to see that there are many opportunities to learn strategies, work at getting better and take turns winning and losing. Pull out the teachable moment. Model what it looks like to lose with grace. Say things like “I had fun even though I lost” or “I can try again next time.” Practicing this in the safety of the home helps them to gain skills they will need with friends and classmates.
A fun and helpful rhyme for parents when they play with their younger children is
“Before we play let’s agree on the rules.
During the game, use your kindness tools.
Use rock paper scissors to tell who goes first
Win or lose we don’t need an outburst”