The School of Play Curriculum
Primary School Foundation - Grade Two
Week Eighteen focuses on strengthening communication, emotional awareness, relaxation, and gratitude through a mix of reflective, creative, and social activities. Students begin with Double Circles, a fast and friendly partner-rotation game that builds confidence, conversation skills, and community through structured one-on-one chats. They then explore personal growth in A Letter to My Future Self, reflecting on who they hope to become and identifying achievable steps toward their goals. Together, these activities help students build self-understanding while developing stronger connections with their peers.
The week continues with a focus on mindfulness and gratitude. The Tree House Meditation guides students through a peaceful imaginative journey designed to build calm, creativity, and emotional regulation. Finally, Gratitude Postcards encourages students to express appreciation through personalised thank-you messages, reinforcing kindness and strengthening relationships. Collectively, the activities in Week Eighteen promote self-reflection, emotional well-being, meaningful communication, and positive social bonds, helping students to grow, connect, and give in supportive and joyful ways.
Weekly Lessons
Double Circles
Double Circles is a simple, high-energy way to get students talking, connecting, and learning about each other through rapid-fire one-on-one conversations. By pairing students face-to-face in two rotating circles, the activity encourages everyone to practise active listening, share personal experiences, and build confidence in speaking with different classmates. Each new question opens the door to meaningful conversation, while the dice-roll rotation adds excitement, unpredictability, and a fun movement element. Students begin to understand more about their peers’ personalities, interests, and stories, strengthening relationships and building a sense of belonging.
As the circles rotate, students practise responding to open-ended questions, listening attentively, and engaging respectfully with each new partner. Whether students create their own questions or respond to teacher prompts, they are encouraged to communicate clearly, take turns, and show curiosity about others. By the end of the activity, the group feels more connected, barriers are lowered, and students walk away having learned something new about several classmates. Double Circles is an effective, joyful way to build community, boost communication skills, and set the tone for a supportive classroom environment.
Respectful Relationships
Emotional Literacy & Understanding Others
This activity supports students to:
- Tune into others’ emotions, tone, and body language while engaging in conversation.
- Recognise how sharing personal information can build emotional safety and trust.
- Become more confident expressing feelings and preferences in a supportive setting.
Personal Strengths & Positive Identity
Through sharing their own stories, students learn to:
- Identify personal strengths, interests, and qualities when answering open-ended questions.
- Build confidence by expressing themselves clearly in one-on-one conversations.
- Appreciate the unique strengths and experiences of classmates, fostering mutual respect.
Positive Coping, Help-Seeking & Social Connection
The activity encourages students to:
- Strengthen relationships by practising communication that builds trust.
- Feel more comfortable reaching out, asking questions, and getting to know peers.
- Develop a sense of belonging through repeated positive interactions.
Respect for Others, Diversity & Inclusion
Double Circles helps students:
- Engage respectfully with many different classmates, promoting inclusion and reducing social barriers.
- Listen actively to perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences that differ from their own.
- Appreciate diversity within the classroom community through personal exchanges.
Communication, Problem-Solving & Teamwork
Students strengthen their interpersonal skills by:
- Practising clear, confident communication with multiple partners.
- Developing active listening behaviours that support healthy relationships.
- Working within a structured routine (rotate–listen–share) that encourages cooperation and shared responsibility for positive interactions.
A Letter to My Future Self
A Letter to My Future Self gives students a meaningful moment to pause, dream, and imagine who they are becoming. By writing a personalised letter, students reflect on their hopes, goals, and the type of person they aspire to be in the future. The activity encourages them to think about their strengths, areas they’d like to grow in, and the achievements they’re excited to work toward. It’s a gentle, empowering way to help young people recognise their potential and take ownership of their personal journey.
As students write, they practise expressing their ideas clearly and honestly, strengthening both their self-awareness and their ability to set long-term goals. They begin connecting their present actions to their future aspirations, noticing the small steps they can take today to move in the right direction. When sealed away and revisited later, A Letter to My Future Self becomes a powerful reminder of growth, resilience, and possibility, making it a beautiful reflection tool for any classroom or well-being program.
Respectful Relationships
Emotional Literacy & Self-Awareness
This activity supports students to:
- Identify their emotions about the future, their hopes, and their personal challenges.
- Recognise their strengths and areas for growth through reflective writing.
- Build emotional vocabulary by articulating how they want to feel and who they want to become.
Personal Strengths, Confidence & Positive Identity
Students learn to:
- Notice and name the strengths they already have and those they hope to develop.
- Build confidence by imagining a positive future self and expressing pride in their goals.
- Strengthen their sense of identity by reflecting on what matters most to them.
Positive Coping, Goal Setting & Resilience
Through writing to their future self, students:
- Explore strategies for dealing with challenges by planning the steps they need to take.
- Learn the value of long-term thinking, perseverance, and self-motivation.
- Understand that growth takes time, setbacks are normal, and progress is a journey.
Respect for Self & Healthy Relationships
This activity encourages students to:
- Practise self-respect by valuing their aspirations and treating their future self with kindness.
- Strengthen their capacity to make thoughtful decisions that support their well-being.
- Consider how their growth can positively influence their relationships and interactions with others.
Help-Seeking, Communication & Reflection
Students develop:
- Skills in communicating thoughts, dreams, and emotions clearly through writing.
- Insight into when they may need support, encouragement, or guidance to reach their goals.
- A reflective mindset helps them become more aware of their needs, hopes, and future direction.
The Tree House Meditation
The Tree House Meditation invites students into a peaceful, imaginative world where they can slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with their inner calm. Through guided visualisation, students explore a magical tree house filled with wonder, gentle creatures, and positive energy. The journey encourages relaxation, supports emotional regulation, and helps students practise being present in the moment. As they follow along, students build creative mental imagery that helps them feel safe, centred, and calm.
This meditation also strengthens self-worth by guiding students to notice positive feelings, reflect on their emotional state, and recognise their own inner strengths. By imagining themselves in a nurturing, uplifting environment, students learn to appreciate their uniqueness and carry feelings of joy and confidence back into their day. The Tree House Meditation becomes a beautiful tool for mindfulness, emotional well-being, and creative exploration, helping students develop lifelong skills for managing stress and finding peace within themselves.
Respectful Relationships
Emotional Literacy, Self-Awareness & Calming Strategies
This meditation helps students to:
- Recognise how their body and mind feel when they slow down, breathe deeply, and relax.
- Notice emotions such as calmness, happiness, safety, or wonder as they arise during the visualisation.
- Build awareness of their emotional state before and after the meditation, strengthening self-reflection skills.
Positive Coping, Mindfulness & Stress Regulation
Through guided visualisation, students learn to:
- Use breathing and imagination as tools to manage stress, anxiety, or tension.
- Develop healthy coping strategies by creating a peaceful “mental space” they can return to whenever they need it.
- Practise being present, grounded, and centred, strengthening emotional regulation.
Personal Strengths, Confidence & Self-Worth
This activity encourages students to:
- Connect with feelings of pride, joy, and belief in themselves as the story affirms their capability and uniqueness.
- Build confidence by imagining positive experiences that remind them of their inner strengths.
- Strengthen their sense of identity and personal worth through encouraging and uplifting visual prompts.
Respect for Self & Emotional Safety
The meditation supports students to:
- Show respect for their own well-being by taking time to recharge, rest, and nurture their emotional health.
- Understand that creating safe, peaceful internal spaces is a form of self-care.
- Recognise the importance of protecting their emotional safety and treating themselves with kindness.
Empathy, Imagination & Relationship Building
Students develop:
- Imaginative thinking that helps them understand feelings, both their own and others’.
- The ability to discuss peaceful emotions, fears, hopes, and joyful experiences with peers, enhancing emotional connection.
- A greater appreciation of how shared mindfulness experiences can strengthen community well-being in the classroom.
Gratitude Postcards
Gratitude Postcards gives students a warm, creative way to recognise and thank the people who make their lives brighter. By designing and decorating their own postcards, students reflect on who they appreciate and why, taking a moment to acknowledge kindness, support, or special moments that matter to them. This simple act of crafting a personalised message helps them practise expressing gratitude clearly and sincerely, while also sparking joy for both the sender and the receiver.
Once their postcards are complete, students deliver or mail them, turning their gratitude into real-world connection. This final step reinforces the power of appreciation and shows students how a small gesture can make someone feel valued and seen. Gratitude Postcards not only strengthens writing and creativity but also helps build a culture of kindness, empathy, and positive communication, making it a beautiful addition to any classroom or home well-being routine.
Respectful Relationships
Emotional Literacy & Identifying Positive Feelings
This activity supports students to:
- Recognise feelings of appreciation and understand the positive emotions connected to expressing gratitude.
- Identify why particular people or actions make them feel thankful.
- Develop awareness of how gratitude contributes to their own well-being and happiness.
Help-Seeking, Help-Giving & Prosocial Behaviours
Students build skills in:
- Practising gratitude as a prosocial behaviour that strengthens relationships and promotes kindness.
- Understanding how small acts of appreciation can support others and build a more caring environment.
- Recognising when others have supported them and responding in a thoughtful, meaningful way.
Positive Relationships, Respect & Connection
Through designing and writing postcards, students learn to:
- Strengthen relationships by communicating appreciation clearly and respectfully.
- Understand how gratitude contributes to positive, respectful interactions with peers, teachers, family, and community members.
- Develop empathy by considering the perspectives and feelings of the person receiving the postcard.
Personal Strengths & Identity
This activity helps students:
- Reflect on personal values such as kindness, appreciation, and generosity.
- Recognise their capability to uplift and positively impact others through their words and actions.
- Express themselves creatively as they design postcards that represent their personality, feelings, and strengths.
Communication Skills: Kind, Clear & Specific Expression
Students practise:
- Writing clear, specific, and heartfelt messages to express gratitude.
- Using positive, respectful language that communicates appreciation effectively.
- Sharing their messages confidently, understanding the power of communication in building strong relationships.
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