Caring and Helping

Your Child Will Learn

Ways to show kindness to others

Here’s What to Do

1. Play a game of pretend to practice showing kindness. First, ask your child to pretend they have a hurt foot, and show ways you can help them.
2. Next, switch roles. Pretend that you’re upset because you lost your keys, and prompt your child to help.
3. Take turns using other pretend events:
   • someone is sick
   • a friend moved away
   • a toy is broken
   • someone is scared to go down the slide
   • (whatever you come up with!)
4. After playing this game, recognize when your child shows kindness to others in real life.

Put PEER Into Action

PAUSE

• Sit and take a deep breath together before you begin.

ENGAGE

• “You look sad. What happened? (pause for answer) I want to help you feel better. Let me get you some ice.”
• “Do you notice how my face looks? What do you think I’m feeling?”

ENCOURAGE

• “If you were feeling sick, how would you want someone to take care of you?”
• “That was so kind of you to help me look for my keys. It also made me feel good when you gave me a hug to help me feel better.”

REFLECT

• “Do you ever help your friends at school feel better? What are some ways to be kind to them?”

Not Quite Ready

Pretend that a stuffed animal is the one with the problem, and work together to help the animal feel better.

Ready for More

Introduce more complicated situations, like a classmate not wanting to play with them at school.

As Your Child Masters This Skill

They will complete acts of kindness in their real life

Time to Complete

15 minutes

Materials Needed

None