Drama · Talking
Welcome role play
Act out ways to make someone feel welcome: a new classmate, a visitor at home, a neighbour knocking at the door.
- 15 minutes
- In pairs, Small group
- Ages 5–7, Ages 7–9
- Classroom or at home
- Printable: scenario cards
What to do
- Read the three sayings and their meanings at the top of the sheet. Play the audio from the saying pages if you can.
- Talk about how it feels to arrive somewhere new. What helps?
- Pick a situation card. One person is the newcomer, the others do the welcoming.
- Act it out. Try a smile, a kind word, showing the way, or offering a seat.
- The newcomer says thank you and tells the others what made them feel welcome.
- Swap roles and pick another card.
Questions to talk about
- What is the kindest thing someone has done when you were new?
- Why does the second saying say everybody is welcome?
You will need
- The printed scenario sheet, with the cards cut out
Make it fit
Simpler: An adult plays the newcomer each time.
More of a stretch: Add a newcomer who is shy and does not say much. How do you help them feel welcome?
Sayings used
Printables
The instructions card is for the adult running the activity; the worksheet is for the children. Prints on A4 or US Letter at 100% / actual size; colour is optional.
The scenario cards
Welcome role play
Pick a card. Act out how you would make the person feel welcome.
- ACéad míle fáilteA hundred thousand welcomes.
- BFáilte roimh bhocht is nochtEverybody is welcome, whatever their circumstances.
- CGo raibh maith agatThank you.
Cut out the situation cards. There can be more than one good answer: the reason is the point.
The instructions card
How to run it · Drama · Talking
Welcome role play
Act out ways to make someone feel welcome: a new classmate, a visitor at home, a neighbour knocking at the door.
15 minutesIn pairs, Small groupAges 5–7, Ages 7–9
What to do
- Read the three sayings and their meanings at the top of the sheet. Play the audio from the saying pages if you can.
- Talk about how it feels to arrive somewhere new. What helps?
- Pick a situation card. One person is the newcomer, the others do the welcoming.
- Act it out. Try a smile, a kind word, showing the way, or offering a seat.
- The newcomer says thank you and tells the others what made them feel welcome.
- Swap roles and pick another card.
You will need
- The printed scenario sheet, with the cards cut out
Talk about
- What is the kindest thing someone has done when you were new?
- Why does the second saying say everybody is welcome?
Make it fit
Simpler: An adult plays the newcomer each time.
Stretch: Add a newcomer who is shy and does not say much. How do you help them feel welcome?
Goes with the printable scenario cards.