Introduction
Asking for permission is an essential social skill for young children to learn. It helps them understand the importance of respecting others’ belongings and personal space, as well as fostering a sense of empathy and cooperation. In this blog post, we will discuss a no-prep activity for educators to teach PreK students the importance of asking for permission and provide discussion questions to reinforce the concept. Additionally, we will mention related social-emotional learning skills and encourage you to explore free sample materials at Everyday Speech.
No-Prep Activity
This simple, no-prep activity can help PreK students understand the importance of asking for permission. Begin by gathering your students in a circle. Explain that when we want to use or borrow something, we need to ask for permission first. To demonstrate, hold up an object (e.g., a toy or a book) and ask a student if you can borrow it. Emphasize the importance of using a kind and respectful tone of voice when asking for permission.
Next, have the students practice asking for permission with each other. Pair them up and give each pair an object to practice with. Encourage them to take turns asking for permission and responding with either “yes” or “no.” Remind them to be respectful of their partner’s response, even if it is “no.”
After the activity, discuss with the students why asking for permission is important and how it makes others feel when we respect their belongings and personal space.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it important to ask for permission before using someone else’s belongings or doing something that is not part of our usual routine?
- How does it make others feel when we ask for permission? How does it make them feel when we don’t?
- What should we do if someone says “no” when we ask for permission?
- Can you think of a time when you asked for permission and it made someone feel happy or respected? Share your experience with the class.
- How can we remember to ask for permission in our daily lives?
Related Skills
Teaching PreK students the importance of asking for permission is a stepping stone to developing other essential social-emotional learning skills, such as:
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
- Respect: Treating others with kindness and consideration.
- Cooperation: Working together with others in a positive and helpful manner.
- Self-control: Managing our emotions and actions in different situations.
- Communication: Expressing our thoughts and feelings clearly and effectively.
Next Steps
Now that you’ve learned about the importance of teaching PreK students to ask for permission and practiced a no-prep activity, we encourage you to explore more social-emotional learning skills and resources. Sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech to enhance your students’ social-emotional learning experience and help them develop essential life skills.
