The Healthy Social Life

"A healthy social life is found only, when in the mirror of each soul the whole community finds its reflection, and when in the whole community the virtue of each one is living." Rudolf SteinerA socially healthy class has a finely tuned understanding of each individual part of the group at the same time that each individual recognizes the needs of the group as a whole. As this quote from Steiner suggests, a healthy social group is a delicate balance between the needs of the individual and the needs of the group. Ideally, by working with the social life of the class, the needs of the group and the needs of the individual become one.I give a lot of attention to working with the social being of my class. For me, this is a lot more than outwardly speaking to them about being kind to each other. Every morning we begin our day with this kind of social work in movement. There is a series of exercises that we do together, first in unison facing each other, then in a round, then not facing each other, then in a round without facing each other. The students take great pride in being able to start together, in unison without even looking at each other.I'm always on the lookout for activities like this to cultivate this social understanding. In the past we have built human pyramids, timed how long it takes the group to climb to the top of a playground structure, jumped rope with the entire class (with a very long rope!). Things like this have been some of my students' favorite and healthiest activities.As we do these things we are learning so much! Can we help our classmates do what is needed (group) without getting frustrated (individual)? How much can we express our own individuality and still honor the needs of the group? This is truly the work that creates world citizens! What could be more important?!Do you have any similar activities you've done with your students? Share them in the comments!