How Would You Feel?
Here's What To Do
As you’re reading stories with characters who have simple problems, ask your child how they would feel in a similar situation, and what they might do to help that character. Then, talk about how that character might feel after your child helped them.
Instead of using books, you can also talk about relevant scenarios with your child. You can even involve your family to make decisions! For example, talk together about how you would feel and what you would do if you knew that a neighbor needed help with their gardening. Then, talk about how the neighbor might respond and feel.
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Take a few deep breaths together and remind your child to look at the illustrations and listen carefully to find out what happens in the book.
Engage:
- “Let’s read _____. We’ll talk about what happened in this book and what we might do if we were that character.”
- Ask questions like, “How would you feel if___?” “What could you say to ___ to help them feel better?” “How would they feel after you said that to them __?”
Encourage:
- While you’re reading, emphasize the cause and effect in the story. “He is crying. He is sad because someone took his toy away.”
- Relate to a recent scenario when your child felt a similar feeling, or when someone was affected by their actions.
Reflect:
- “What do you like to do to help others?"
Not quite ready?
Throughout the day, highlight simple ways your child’s actions affected others. For example, “When you help me set the table, it helps all of us to eat dinner even more quickly! Thank you.”
Ready for more?
Together, think of a simple way you and your child can positively impact your community. For example, donate gently used clothes to others, or talk about why recycling is important.
As your child masters this skill...
They will demonstrate understanding of the effects of their actions on others.