Unit Plan 16 (Grade K Counselor): How to Join Play

Focus: Teach students friendly ways to enter play with classmates. The counselor models phrases such as “Can I play too?” “What are you building?” or “Can I help?” Students also learn that sometimes they may need to wait, choose another activity, or ask an adult for help if joining is difficult.

Grade Level: K

Subject Area: School Counseling (Friendship Skills • Joining Play • Respectful Problem-Solving)

Total Unit Duration: 1–2 weeks, 30 minutes per session

I. Introduction

This Kindergarten counseling lesson helps students practice friendly ways to join play with classmates. Students learn that joining play usually works best when they use kind words, listen to what others are doing, and choose a safe way to participate.

The counselor uses puppets, picture cards, blocks, dramatic play props, or playground scenarios to model what joining play can look and sound like. Students practice asking to join, noticing the play already happening, listening to the answer, waiting if needed, choosing another activity, or asking an adult for help if the problem cannot be solved respectfully. The goal is for students to build confidence and kindness during peer play.

Essential Questions

• How can students ask to join play?
• What kind words can students use with classmates?
• How can students listen before joining a game or activity?
• What can students do if classmates are not ready for another player?
• How can students solve joining-play problems respectfully?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Use kind words and friendly actions to ask to join play.
2. Practice phrases such as “Can I play too?” “What are you building?” and “Can I help?”
3. Listen and respond appropriately when classmates answer.
4. Identify respectful choices when joining play is difficult, such as waiting, choosing another activity, or asking an adult for help.
5. Use words, adult help, or agreed classroom strategies to solve peer play problems without hurting others.
6. Recognize that joining play should be safe, kind, and respectful for everyone.
7. (Optional Session) Apply joining-play skills through puppet practice, picture sorting, role-play, block or toy scenarios, playground problem cards, or a reflection page.

Standards Alignment — Grade K (ASCA-based Custom)

• C:S3.Ka — Practice Kind Words and Actions
  • Use kind words, friendly actions, and helpful behavior with classmates.
  • Example: A student says, “Do you want to play?” or helps a classmate pick up materials.
• C:S3.Kc — Listen and Respond to Others
  • Practice listening when someone else is speaking and responding in an appropriate way.
  • Example: A student looks at a classmate during partner sharing and says something connected to what the partner said.
• C:S4.Kc — Solve Peer Problems Respectfully
  • Use words, adult help, or agreed classroom strategies to solve conflicts without hurting others.
  • Example: A student chooses to ask a teacher for help instead of grabbing a toy back.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can ask to join play.
• I can use kind words with classmates.
• I can say, “Can I play too?”
• I can listen to a classmate’s answer.
• I can wait or choose another activity if needed.
• I can ask an adult for help if joining is hard.
• I can solve play problems respectfully.