Kids need to be able to share how they are feeling and why without blaming. This is a skill that will need some practice. The automatic reaction is to accuse when an incident occurs. For example, instead of saying "You did something wrong" they could use "I felt upset when ______ happened".
Active listening is another important part of using "I" statements. Listening to what the speaker has to say in these "I" statements gives other people involved in the situation an idea of how the speaker feels and it brings greater understanding which helps with solutions. It also encourages responsibility for the speaker to share his own thoughts and feelings.
When kids listen actively, they can better understand and empathize with others. This will help them to see how their actions may have affected others. This will help them to be open to working through the situation and brainstorming to find a compromise or solution that will work for everyone.
It also helps indicate that it's possible for everyone involved in a disagreement to get what they need without anyone feeling worse in the end.
How does it feel when someone is rude to you?
I feel ...
Expressing to others saying, "I feel", people think about themselves.
It allows others to know how you feel, and
helps them to empathize and make better choices.
It is Cool to be Kind
Simply being nice to others and showing understanding and tolerance is a simple skill that should be practiced and improved.
When you see someone being kind how do you feel about them?