Fifth and sixth graders at Nassakeag Elementary School learned a valuable life lesson about the power of words and kindness. School psychologist Dr. Kelly Oliver and social worker Kate Coppola stepped into classrooms for a social emotional learning activity. They provided students with a tube of toothpaste, a paper plate and a plastic spoon and asked students to squeeze all the toothpaste onto the plate. Students were then challenged to use the spoon to get as much toothpaste as possible back into the tube. To no surprise, it was nearly impossible to fill the tube back up.

The lesson symbolized the permanence of unkind words. It displayed how it can be easy to say something hurtful, like squeezing the toothpaste out, but you can never take your words back or put the toothpaste back in the tube. Students then watched meaningful videos about the power of kindness and how to create a safe environment for others in school. The lesson encouraged empathy and promoted kindness, inclusion and positive communication in a creative way.

Click here to view the Toothpaste Teaches Life Lesson slideshow.

Date Added: 11/13/2024