Introduction

Being the bigger person is an essential skill for children to learn as they navigate social interactions and develop relationships. This concept teaches children to resist the urge to retaliate when someone hurts them and instead, stay calm and composed. By practicing this skill, children can foster positive relationships and avoid escalating conflicts. In this blog post, we’ll discuss an easy no-prep activity, thought-provoking discussion questions, related skills, and next steps to help educators teach kindergarten students the importance of being the bigger person.

No-Prep Activity

Here’s a simple activity that requires no preparation or materials from the educator:

Role Play Scenarios

1. Divide the class into small groups of 3-4 students.
2. Assign each group a common conflict scenario that may occur in a kindergarten setting, such as sharing toys, taking turns, or resolving disagreements.
3. Instruct the students to act out the scenario and demonstrate both a negative response (retaliation) and a positive response (being the bigger person).
4. After each group has performed their role play, discuss the outcomes and emotions involved in both responses.
5. Reinforce the importance of being the bigger person and how it can lead to better relationships and a more positive environment.

Discussion Questions

Use these questions to stimulate further discussion among your students:

1. How did it feel when someone acted negatively in response to a conflict? How did it feel when they chose to be the bigger person?
2. Can you think of a time when you were the bigger person in a situation? How did that make you feel?
3. Why do you think it’s important to be the bigger person instead of retaliating when someone hurts us?
4. What strategies can you use to stay calm and composed when you feel upset or wronged by someone?
5. How can being the bigger person help us build better relationships with our friends and classmates?

Related Skills

In addition to teaching students the concept of being the bigger person, it’s essential to help them develop other related social-emotional skills:

• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others can encourage children to be more compassionate and considerate in their actions.
• Conflict Resolution: Learning to resolve conflicts peacefully and constructively is crucial for maintaining healthy relationships and a positive learning environment.
• Emotion Regulation: Teaching children to recognize, understand, and manage their emotions helps them make better decisions and respond more positively in challenging situations.
• Communication: Developing effective communication skills can help children express their feelings and needs in a respectful and assertive manner.

Next Steps

Now that you have a better understanding of how to teach kindergarten students the concept of being the bigger person, we encourage you to explore more resources and activities to support social-emotional learning. To get started, sign up for free samples of these skills and others at Everyday Speech. You’ll find a wealth of materials designed to help educators like you nurture essential social-emotional skills in young learners.