SEL: What Can We Learn From Toothpaste?
Fourth grade students participated in a powerful Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) activity called Toothpaste Words with Mrs. Davis.
Working in pairs, students were challenged to squeeze and squeeze and squeeze – every last drop of toothpaste out of a tube onto a single paper plate—and then, with only a toothpick and five minutes, try to put it all back in. It was quite the fun challenge and as you can imagine, it was nearly impossible!
This led to an important discussion about the power of words. Students shared words that have hurt them, and we wrote those words on the board. We labeled them “toothpaste words”—because just like toothpaste squeezed out of a tube, once hurtful words are said, they can’t be taken back. Even when someone forgives us, the hurt can still remain.
Together, we talked about why it’s so important to think before we speak and how every word on the board has caused pain to someone at some point. While we were able to erase the words from the board today, we discussed how there isn’t an eraser strong enough to erase the pain words can cause once they’re spoken.
Our takeaway from this lesson: Words matter. We encouraged students to choose words that are kind, supportive, and positive—because those are the words that build others up and make our school community stronger!
