The first days back after winter break are a fresh start — but they can also feel unpredictable. Students are readjusting to routines, reconnecting with friends, and bringing a lot of emotions into the classroom. Giving them intentional opportunities to build connection, practice kindness, and strengthen social-emotional skills sets a positive tone for the entire term.
That’s why I created a New Year SEL printable!
👉 Kind Start to the New Year – Tear-Apart Compliment Strips (FREE download!)
This no-prep resource helps students share heartfelt compliments with classmates, reflect on positive interactions, and practice communication skills — all while fostering community.
Why Kindness Matters After Winter Break
When students return from holiday break, their social and emotional needs matter just as much as their academics. Starting with a kindness-focused activity:
✨ Helps students reconnect with classmates
✨ Encourages positive interactions right away
✨ Supports SEL skills like empathy, social awareness, and relationship building
✨ Makes your classroom feel welcoming and purposeful
SEL activities like compliment strips give kids a structured, meaningful way to express positive thoughts about one another. This creates a kinder, calmer classroom culture right from day one.
What the Free Printable Includes
Your free download includes:
✅ Tear-apart compliment and kindness strips
✅ Student-friendly sentence starters
✅ Simple directions — no prep needed
✅ Easy differentiation across early elementary grades
It’s perfect for:
- Morning meeting or SEL block
- Back-to-school routines after winter break
- Classroom community building
- Early finishers or center time
You can use it whole-class, in small groups, or independently — and students love the chance to share kindness right away.
How to Use It in Your Classroom
Here are a few classroom-tested ways to make the most of this activity:
🤝 1. Compliment Exchange
Have students write compliments for peers. Then, exchange strips randomly or draw names out of a jar.
🌟 2. Kindness Wall
Collect compliments and post them on a bulletin board to create an uplifting visual reminder of strengths and positive traits.
💬 3. Morning Meeting Share
Start your day by inviting a few students to read the compliments they gave or received. It’s an instant mood booster!
Grab Your FREE Copy
Ready to help your students start the year with kindness and connection?
👉 Get your FREE Kind Start to the New Year – Tear-Apart Compliment Strips printable here!
Frequently Asked Questions: New Year SEL & Kindness Activities
A kindness-focused SEL activity is a great way to ease students back into routines after winter break. Activities like compliment strips, kindness notes, and classroom community builders help students reconnect, practice positive communication, and start the new year with empathy and respect.
Compliment activities support key SEL skills, such as social awareness, relationship-building, empathy, and positive communication. When students practice noticing others’ strengths and sharing kind words, they strengthen both their emotional intelligence and classroom relationships.
Kindness printables work well during morning meetings by giving students a structured way to share positive messages. You can use compliment strips as a whole-class activity, a partner exchange, or a small-group discussion starter to build a welcoming classroom community.
Absolutely. Kindness and compliment activities are great for families, counseling groups, after-school programs, and homeschool settings. Students can share compliment strips with family members to extend SEL learning beyond the classroom.
Focusing on kindness at the start of the new year helps set a positive tone for learning. It encourages respectful behavior, improves classroom climate, and supports students’ emotional well-being as they transition back into school routines.
💬 I’d Love to Hear From You!
I’d Love to Hear From You!
If you use this activity, I’d love to know how it goes in your classroom or at home.
Feel free to tag me on social media @creativebrainsgrowhere — I love seeing how learners explore science through hands-on creativity!
As an educator, author, and illustrator, your feedback helps me continue creating meaningful, kid-friendly resources that support curious minds.
Thank you, and have a fantastic week!
— Julianne (J)
creativebrainsgrowhere.org
@creativebrainsgrowhere
❤️This resource has been donated to educators by CreativeBrainsGrowHere.org ❤️
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