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Think It or Say It
This concept teaches that before we speak, we consider the emotional impact of those thoughts on others. Many of our thoughts are honest judgements, but we filter, or choose not to say the ones that could hurt someone. Learners will use Think It or Say It to pause and reflect before saying their thoughts out loud.
Preview an SEL skills lesson: Think It or Say It
[INTRODUCTION]
Narrator: We should always think about what we’re going to say before we say it. Sometimes, we have thoughts that hurt other people’s feelings. We keep these thoughts inside. We only think them, we don’t say them. When we say them out loud, we could hurt others’ feelings. Let’s see what happens if we don’t keep hurtful thoughts in our brain.
[SCENE 1 – Haley and Madison are at a table reading books]
Haley: (stops reading and looks at Madison) Guess what? Next month, I’m going to a Taylor Swift concert! My mom got me tickets!
Madison: Ugh! I hate her music!
Haley: Oh, I was really excited.
Madison: I would never want to go to her concert. (flips through book)
Haley: I did.
Narrator: Uh-oh. Did Madison think about if she should think or say it? How did she make Haley feel? Let’s see.
Haley: (thought bubble) Madison was being really mean. Just because she doesn’t like the same music as me doesn’t mean she has to make me feel bad.
Narrator: Haley felt really upset. Madison should have thought about her feelings. Haley was excited about the concert which tells us she likes Taylor Swift. Even though Madison doesn’t like the same music, she should keep those thoughts in her head and only think them. Let’s watch Madison try again.
[SCENE 2 – Haley and Madison are at a table reading books]
Haley: (stops reading and looks at Madison) Guess what? I’m going to a Taylor Swift concert next month! My mom got me tickets!
Madison: (internal thought) I really don’t like Taylor Swift, but I can tell Haley is excited. If I say what I’m thinking out loud, it could hurt her feelings. I’ll keep that thought inside.
Madison: (acts interested) That’s so cool! When is the concert?
Haley: September 15th!
Madison: I hope you have fun!
Haley: Thanks!
Narrator: This time, Madison thought about what she was going to say before she said it. She knew her thoughts would hurt Haley’s feelings so she didn’t say them out loud. Instead, she asked Haley about the concert and told her to have fun. Remember, before you say something, think about if you should think it or say it.
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