Refugee Week / New Friend Welcome Role Play
New Friend Welcome Role Play
In small groups, children act out welcoming a new child who does not yet speak English, using gestures, smiles and picture cards to show them around.
How to run it
- Ask the group how it might feel to arrive somewhere where you do not understand the language yet.
- Brainstorm ways to help without words: smiling, pointing, picture cards for toilet, water, play and lunch, and inviting someone to join a game.
- In small groups, one child plays the newcomer who 'speaks' only with gestures while others welcome them and show them the room.
- Swap roles, then make a set of picture welcome cards for the service to keep for real new arrivals.
You will need
- card
- markers
- printed simple pictures (optional)
Make it easier or harderYounger children practise one welcome action at a time; older children design a welcome buddy plan for the service.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 2, Outcome 5Children practise empathy and non-verbal communication to include others in their community.
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