As educators, we understand the importance of teaching our students not only academic skills but also essential social skills that they can carry with them throughout their lives. One such skill is the ability to ask for permission before using or engaging with something that belongs to someone else or requires supervision. This blog post will provide an overview of this skill, a no-prep activity to practice it, discussion questions, related skills, and next steps for further exploration.

Introduction

Asking for permission is a crucial social skill that helps students understand boundaries, respect others’ property and personal space, and maintain a positive classroom environment. By learning to ask for permission, students can navigate social situations more effectively, build stronger relationships, and develop a sense of responsibility for their actions. In the example provided, Liz demonstrates this skill by asking her teacher, Ms. Lehane, for permission to use the computer after finishing her work.

No-Prep Activity

Here’s a simple yet effective activity that requires no preparation or materials to help students practice asking for permission:

Role-Play Scenarios: Divide your students into small groups or pairs. Provide each group with a list of common classroom situations where asking for permission would be appropriate. Some examples might include:

• Asking to borrow a classmate’s pencil
• Requesting to use the restroom during class
• Seeking permission to work with a partner on an assignment

Students take turns playing the roles of the asker and the person granting permission. Encourage them to use polite language and appropriate body language, such as making eye contact and using a respectful tone of voice. After each role-play scenario, have the students switch roles and repeat the process. This activity allows students to practice asking for permission in various contexts and helps them become more comfortable with the skill.

Discussion Questions

After completing the no-prep activity, use these discussion questions to stimulate further conversations about asking for permission:

1. Why is asking for permission important in maintaining a positive classroom environment?
2. How does asking for permission demonstrate respect for others and their property?
3. What are some situations outside of the classroom where asking for permission is necessary or beneficial?
4. How can you tell if someone is asking for permission genuinely or just going through the motions?
5. What are some ways you can practice asking for permission in your daily life?

Related Skills

Asking for permission is just one aspect of a broader set of social-emotional skills that students need to develop. Other related skills include:

• Active listening
• Empathy
• Respecting personal boundaries
• Assertiveness
• Conflict resolution

Next Steps

Now that you have a better understanding of the importance of asking for permission and how to teach this skill to your students, consider incorporating these methods into your classroom. To help you get started, we invite you to sign up for free samples of this skill and others at Everyday Speech. These resources will provide you with additional activities, videos, and materials to support your students’ social-emotional learning journey.