Teaching preschool students to ask for help is a crucial skill that sets the foundation for their social and emotional development. This Asking for Help Preschool Lesson is designed for specialists and teachers, providing simple, no-prep games and activities to effectively teach young children the importance of asking for help. By the end of this lesson, students will feel more confident in seeking assistance when needed, fostering a supportive and collaborative classroom environment.
Why Teaching Asking for Help is Important
Understanding the importance of asking for help is essential for preschool students. This skill:
- Encourages independence and self-advocacy
- Reduces frustration and anxiety
- Promotes a positive learning environment
- Enhances communication skills
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Identify situations when they need help
- Use polite language to ask for help
- Recognize that asking for help is a positive action
Materials Needed
- Picture cards depicting different scenarios
- Puppets or stuffed animals
- A small ball or beanbag
- Storybook about asking for help (optional)
- “Asking for Help” posters or visual aids
Lesson Plan
1. Introduction (10 minutes)
Objective: Introduce the concept of asking for help.
Begin the lesson by discussing with the students what it means to ask for help. Use simple language and relatable examples. For instance, ask questions like:
- “What do you do if you can’t tie your shoes?”
- “What happens if you can’t reach a toy on a high shelf?”
Explain that everyone, including adults, sometimes needs help and it’s okay to ask for it.
Activity: Read a Story
Read a story that focuses on a character who needs help and how they go about asking for it. Choose a book with colorful illustrations and simple text. Pause throughout the story to ask questions and engage the students.
2. Role-Playing (15 minutes)
Objective: Practice asking for help through role-playing.
Divide the students into pairs and give each pair a puppet or stuffed animal. Instruct them to act out different scenarios where they might need help, such as:
- Tying shoelaces
- Finding a lost toy
- Putting on a coat
Encourage them to use phrases like “Can you help me, please?” and “I need help with this.”
Activity: Puppet Show
Have each pair perform a short puppet show for the class, demonstrating how to ask for help. This not only reinforces the lesson but also builds confidence in speaking up.
3. Interactive Game: Help Ball (10 minutes)
Objective: Reinforce the concept of asking for help through a fun, interactive game.
Instructions:
- Have the students sit in a circle.
- Explain that when someone holds the ball, they will share a situation where they might need help.
- After sharing, they will roll the ball to another student.
- The next student will suggest how to ask for help in that situation.
For example, a student might say, “I can’t open my juice box,” and the next student might respond with, “You can say, ‘Can you help me open my juice box, please?'”
4. Picture Cards Activity (10 minutes)
Objective: Identify situations where help is needed and practice asking for it.
Instructions:
- Show the students picture cards depicting different scenarios (e.g., a child struggling with a puzzle, a child who fell and is hurt).
- Discuss each picture as a group, asking questions like, “What do you see happening?” and “How can this child ask for help?”
- Encourage students to come up with appropriate ways to ask for help in each scenario.
5. Everyday Speech Role-Play Worksheet (10 minutes)
Objective: Practice skills in real scenarios
Students can use the scenarios below to role-play how and who to ask for help. This can be a one-on-one activity or used for a whole group by having students take turns and watch each role-play. Emphasize that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness, and that it helps everyone learn and grow together.
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Sample Video
Students learn best from watching real students their own age model skills. Try out this sample video lesson. We offer our entire Social-Emotional Learning platform free for 14 days here!
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