Emotional intelligence activity
Show and Tell
Pick a favorite toy or object and tell your family about it! Practice speaking to an audience, making eye contact, and answering questions.
Materials and setup
- a favorite object to share
How this changes by age
Pre-K (ages 3–4)
Pick a favorite toy or object and tell your family about it! Practice speaking to an audience, making eye contact, and answering questions.
Steps
- Child chooses one special item to share (a toy, a drawing, a rock they found).
- Practice what to say: 'This is my ___. I like it because ___.'
- Family sits as the audience. Child stands up front and presents.
- Audience asks 1-2 simple questions: 'Where did you get it? What do you do with it?'
- Everyone claps! Then another family member takes a turn sharing something.
Learning objectives
- Practice speaking in front of a small group with confidence
- Organize thoughts into a simple presentation structure
- Answer questions from an audience
Kindergarten (ages 5–6)
Prepare and deliver a show-and-tell presentation with 3 facts about your item. Before you present, you might feel nervous — that's totally normal. The bravery is in showing up, not in being perfect.
Steps
- Child selects an item and prepares 3 facts about it.
- Practice the presentation: introduction, 3 facts, and a conclusion ('That's why I love my ___!').
- BEFORE presenting: tell a parent 'I feel nervous.' Take 3 slow breaths together. Walk slowly to your spot.
- Deliver the presentation to family, speaking clearly and making eye contact. If you forget what to say, that's okay — just take a breath and keep going.
- Audience asks 2-3 questions. Child answers thoughtfully.
- After: give yourself a high five for trying! The bravery is in showing up, not in being perfect.
- Give positive feedback: 'I liked how you told us about ___. Next time you could try ___.'
Learning objectives
- Prepare and deliver a structured presentation with multiple facts
- Name and manage pre-presentation nerves with breathing
- Practice public speaking skills: eye contact, clear voice, poise
- Recover from forgetting words without giving up
Early elementary (ages 6–8)
Prepare a mini-presentation about a topic you are passionate about. Use note cards, speak for 2-3 minutes, include a visual aid, and handle audience Q&A confidently. Before you present, you might feel nervous — that's totally normal. The bravery is in showing up, not in being perfect.
Steps
- Choose a topic you love (a hobby, animal, sport, book, place) and research 5 interesting facts.
- Write key points on note cards — do not read word-for-word, use them as reminders.
- Create a visual aid: a poster, a drawing, or bring a related object.
- Practice your presentation at least twice, timing yourself for 2-3 minutes.
- BEFORE presenting: tell a parent 'I feel nervous.' Take 3 slow breaths. Walk slowly to your spot. Nerves are normal — even pro speakers feel them.
- Present to your family. Make eye contact, speak at a steady pace, and use your visual aid. If you forget what to say, that's okay — just take a breath and keep going.
- Take 3-4 questions from the audience and answer them thoughtfully. If you don't know, say 'Great question — I'll look that up!'
- After: give yourself a high five for trying. The bravery is in showing up, not in being perfect.
Learning objectives
- Research a topic and organize findings into a structured presentation
- Name and manage pre-presentation nerves using breathing and self-talk
- Use note cards as speaking aids without reading verbatim
- Create and incorporate a visual aid into a presentation
- Handle audience questions and recovery moments with poise
Upper elementary (ages 8–10)
Deliver a 5-minute persuasive or informative talk on a topic of your choice. Include research from at least 2 sources, a visual component, and a clear introduction-body-conclusion structure. Provide constructive feedback to another speaker.
Steps
- Choose a topic and research it using at least 2 different sources (books, articles, interviews).
- Write an outline: Introduction (hook + thesis), Body (3 main points with evidence), Conclusion (summary + call to action or takeaway).
- Create a visual component: poster, slideshow on paper, demonstration, or handout.
- Practice your presentation until you can deliver it in 4-5 minutes without reading.
- Share your talk with your family with confidence. Use transitions between points, vary your tone, and engage your listeners.
- After your talk, listen to a family member's short talk and give specific constructive feedback: one strength and one suggestion.
Learning objectives
- Research a topic using multiple sources and synthesize information
- Structure a talk with clear introduction, body, and conclusion
- Deliver a timed talk with confidence and listener engagement
- Give and receive constructive feedback on spoken sharing
Safety and evidence note
Read the full activity before beginning. An adult should supervise tools, heat, food, outdoor work, movement, and experiments as appropriate. Completion records that the activity was done; the child’s explanation, work sample, photo, or demonstration is stronger evidence of learning than a completion check alone.
Related emotional intelligence activities
Active Listening Challenge
Practice being a super listener! Learn to look at the speaker, keep your body still, and show you heard them by repeating back what they said.
Anti-Bullying Champions
Make a paper Kindness Chain — one link for every kind thing you do or say! See how long the chain can grow this week.
Conflict Resolution Toolbox (Sibling & Friend)
Learn to solve small, everyday problems with ONE sibling or ONE friend — the person right in front of you. Practice taking turns, sharing, and using words when you're upset.
Digital Citizenship
Learn how to be kind when using screens AND how to handle hearing 'no.' You want the tablet. You ask nicely. Sometimes a parent says no. Big feelings are real — and learning to wait is a real superpower.