Everyone Belongs: 10 Ways Kids Can Be a Belonging Builder

A child can be surrounded by classmates and still feel completely alone. Creating a sense of belonging requires more than simply putting children together—it requires intentional inclusion.

1. What Does Belonging Mean?
Explain belonging in child-friendly language:

“Belonging means feeling like you matter, you are accepted, and there is a place for you.”

2. Why Belonging Matters at School
Discuss how belonging can influence students’ willingness to participate, connect with others, ask for help, and engage in school.

3. Teach Children to Notice Who Is Left Out
Help students become “belonging detectives.”

Ask:

• Who is sitting alone?
• Who hasn’t been invited?
• Who might need a partner?
• Who is having difficulty joining the group?

4. Small Actions Can Make a Big Difference

Teach students to:

• Say hello.
• Invite someone to play.
• Ask someone to join their group.
• Sit beside someone who is alone.
• Learn someone’s name.
• Listen to someone’s idea.
• Include someone who is different.
• Offer help.
• Give a genuine compliment.
• Stand up for someone respectfully.

Counselor Activity: The Belonging Builder Challenge

Challenge students to complete one Belonging Builder each day for a week.

Example:

Monday: Invite someone to play.
Tuesday: Sit with someone new.
Wednesday: Give someone a genuine compliment.
Thursday: Ask someone about something they enjoy.
Friday: Thank someone who helped you.

At the end of the week, ask:

“How did your actions make someone else feel? How did they make YOU feel?”

Picture-Book Recommendations

• The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
• The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
• Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
• All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
• Wyatt Learns about Friendship by Lynne Watts

ASCA Alignment

M 2: Acceptance, respect, support and inclusion
B-SS 2: Positive, respectful and supportive relationships
B-SS 4: Empathy
B-SS 8: Advocacy skills for self and others
B-SS 10: Cultural awareness, sensitivity and responsiveness

ASCA specifically identifies acceptance and inclusion as a mindset and emphasizes creating school environments that welcome and appreciate students’ strengths and differences.