Get into groups according to …

This is a fun activity that I found from ESLCafe years ago and I love using it once every year. It’s even great to team your students for their group works.

Group the students as the 1st child, middle child, youngest child of their family or a single child.

Prepare a handout with some questions similar to the ones below.Get them discuss in their groups

• How are you similar to each other?
• What is it like to be the eldest child of the family?
• How are you different from your sister or brother?
• Are you organised?
• Do you say no easily to people?
• What is it like to be the eldest child?

 Then share the following

FIRST BORN: perfectionist, list maker, well-organised, natural leader, critical, serious, logical, doesn’t like surprises, difficulty saying no to others.

MIDDLE CHILD: mediator, diplomatic, avoids conflict, independent, loyal to peers, many friends, secretive, unspoiled, has reasonable expectations

YOUNGEST CHILD: charming, blames others, attention seeker, people person, natural sales person, engaging, affectionate, loves surprises

ONLY CHILD : little adult by age 7, very thorough and deliberate, can’t bear to fail, has very high expectations for self, more comfortable, with people who are older or younger.

Discuss as a class whether these characteristics apply to them or not.

And you will actually see that they do. Try for yourself 🙂 You can also read this article.