Before They Ask

6-8 years

Me with Others

20 min / 2x per week

Learning goal :

Learning to Be Happy in a Group

Pedagogical Intention :

Developing Altruism

Target skills :

Proactive altruism, Needs scanning, Unasked-for support

Materials :

Observation protocol, proactive help journal

Detailed procedure :

1. Introduction: "The highest level of helping is noticing someone needs something before they have to ask for it."
2. Children practice a 'needs scan' at the start of group activities: who looks stuck? Who seems overwhelmed? Who is doing more than their share?
3. Act proactively based on the scan - without waiting to be asked.
4. Script: "Proactive kindness is one of the rarest and most valued qualities a person can have."
5. Journal for 2 weeks: one proactive help per day - what did you notice? What did you do?

Progress Indicators :

Conducts a needs scan in 3/5 group activities. Acts on a proactive observation at least 3 times per week. Reports that others notice and appreciate their proactive help.

Research Foundations :

Eisenberg (2000); Warneken (2006); Tomasello (2006)