Pause and Share
Here's What To Do
Use stuffed animals to act out a pretend scenario where one toy pushes another. Ask, “How do you think this toy feels?”
Encourage your child to take a deep breath and say how they would feel in that situation. Model by saying, “If someone pushed me, I might feel frustrated. What could you do? What could you say?”
Teach a simple response like, “I don’t like that. Please stop.” Let your child role-play telling the toy how they feel and what they need.
Ask, “What else could we do if someone is pushing?” Brainstorm solutions, like asking a teacher for help or walking away.
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Find a quiet space free of distractions and give your child a hug.
Engage:
- “What could you say if a friend pushed you on the playground?”
- “How would you feel if someone listened to you and stopped pushing?”
Encourage:
- “You are learning how to use your words to solve problems!”
- “It takes courage to say how you feel. I love how you practiced that!”
Reflect:
- “How did it feel to use your words instead of getting upset?”
Not quite ready?
Start by helping your child name their own emotions in everyday situations before practicing with pretend play.
Ready for more?
Let your child come up with their own role-play scenarios and solutions for different social challenges.
As your child masters this skill...
Be able to pause, name their feelings, and respond calmly to peer conflicts in real-life situations.