Pick Up Sticks: An Essential Skill Builder!

As an elementary school counselor, I am always on the lookout for innovative and effective ways to teach social-emotional skills to the students I work with. Amidst the myriad of resources available, I have found that classic table and floor games offer a delightful and engaging approach to developing essential life skills. 

One classic game that stands out in my toolbox is Pick Up Sticks—a time-tested gem that may seem simple and unassuming, but it packs a powerful punch in teaching social-emotional skills to children.

In my role, the time I spend with each child is limited, making it essential to find games that are short on time but long on skill. Pick Up Sticks perfectly fits the bill, offering a simple yet meaningful experience that resonates with young learners. 

A SEL Pick-Me-Up for Children’s Social-Emotional Development

Let’s explore how this classic game cultivates essential social-emotional skills, providing children with valuable lessons for personal growth and interpersonal success:

• Patience and Focus: The game demands patience and concentration. Players must wait for their turn and carefully plan their moves to avoid disturbing other sticks. This cultivates patience and enhances focus and attention span.
• Impulse Control: Players must resist the urge to make impulsive moves and learn to think strategically about their actions to avoid causing disruptions among the sticks.
• Problem-Solving Skills: As players progress in the game, they face increasingly complex situations. They need to strategize and think critically about the best approach to remove specific sticks without causing a chain reaction.
• Resilience and Adaptability: Sometimes, despite careful planning, a stick may move unexpectedly. This provides an opportunity to teach resilience and adaptability, encouraging children to handle unexpected outcomes positively.
• Emotional Regulation: As the game progresses, players might feel excited, anxious, or frustrated. By playing Pick Up Sticks, children have an opportunity to practice managing their emotions and responding calmly, even in challenging situations.
• Learning from Errors: Making mistakes during the game offers an opportunity for reflection and learning. Players can adapt their strategies and improve their performance in subsequent rounds.
• Stress Relief: The concentration required in the game can serve as a cognitive distraction or stress-relieving activity.

Overall, Pick Up Sticks is a delightful and engaging game that offers a range of benefits for children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development. Whether played casually or competitively, it remains a timeless classic that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.