Self Esteem M&M Sharing Activity

Self Esteem M&M Sharing Activity

                                                     

Objective:  To encourage group members to acknowledge and name positive statements about themselves as well as others. 

Materials needed:  Fun size M&M packages, 1 for each group member

*Be sure to ask beforehand about food policies in your school and group members’ allergies.

Activity:  Organize the group to sit in a circle.  Pass out the candy and have each student open their package of M&M’s to see which colors they have.  Use a visual (whiteboard, projector, poster) to show students the questions/statements that correspond to each color M&M.  Moving around the circle, each student will pick a color of M&M that they have and answer the corresponding question.  They can then eat their M&M.  Keep moving around the group until everyone runs out of M&Ms. 

Examples of questions the social worker could present include:

Red: Name something you like about your personality.

Green:  Name something that you enjoy (sport, hobby, etc.)

Blue:  Name something positive about the way you look.

Yellow:  Name something unique about the student on your right.

Brown:  Name something you like about the student on your right.

Orange:  Name something positive about one student in the group.

Discussion:  Following the activity, engage the group in a few processing questions.  How did it feel to say something positive about yourself?  How did it feel to say something positive about others?  Do you think it is easy for us to say positive things?  How did it feel to hear someone say something positive about you?  Brainstorm what could help us say positive things more often.    

This activity was adapted from Girls in Real Life Situations by Taylor and Trice-Black.

Taylor, J. V., & Trice-Black, S. (2007). Girls in Real Life Situations, Grades 6-12: Group counseling activities for enhancing social and emotional development. Champaign, IL: Research Press.