Steps to an Apology
Step 1 of Apologizing
1.Decide if you need to apologize
"I am sorry you didn’t look where you were walking so I tripped you."
Bad.
A good apology never blames the other person for your behavior. It is important to take responsibility for your actions.
You roll your eyes and yell "Ugh fine! I'm sorry I called you a weirdo!"
Politely and genuinely say "I am sorry for calling you a weirdo. It was wrong because it was hurtful. Next time I will not say anything if I do not have anything nice to say. Will you forgive me?"
What is the name of Aladdin's monkey?
Abu
Sarah smashes Peter’s sandcastle in the sandbox.
Sarah should say to Peter "I am sorry for smashing your sandcastle. It was wrong because it destroyed something you care about. Next time I will knock over my own sandcastle. Can I help you rebuild it?"
Step 2 of Apologizing
2. Think of different ways you could apologize
"I'm sorry I hit you, but you made me mad!"
Bad.
Using "But" in an apology is not an apology, and never focus on what the other person did.
"I'm sorry I hit you, but you broke my Lego tower!"
"I am sorry for hitting you. It was wrong because it was unsafe and mean. Next time I will use my stress ball when I get angry. Will you forgive me?"
How many rings does Saturn have?
7 main rings
You’re playing soccer at recess. A classmate wants to join, but he is not very good at soccer. You tell the classmate that he cannot play. The classmate feels sad and hurt.
You should say to the classmate "I am sorry for not including you in the soccer game. It was wrong because it made you feel left out. Next time I will ask you to play. Is there something else I can do to make it up to you?"
Step 3 of Apologizing
3. Choose a good time and place
"I’m sorry I tripped you. It was wrong because you could get hurt. Are you okay? Next time I will move out of the way. Will you forgive me?"
Good.
"I'm sorry I called you stupid. You were annoying me!"
"I am sorry I called you stupid. It was wrong because it was mean and hurtful. Next time I will kindly ask for space or alone time when I am getting frustrated. Will you forgive me?"
What's the name of the capitol of Mexico?
Mexico City
You are building a block tower, but a classmate came by and knocked it over. You feel angry and pushed the classmate over.
You should say to the classmate "I am sorry for pushing you over. It was wrong because I was acting out of anger and you could have been hurt. Next time I will walk away and take deep breaths instead.
Step 4 of Apologizing
4. Make your apology
Shouting “Ok, Ok! I said I’m sorry!”
Bad.
A good apology never includes frustrated or annoyed body language, tone of voice, or facial expression.
"I am sorry I took your balloon, but I really wanted it!"
"I am sorry for taking your balloon. It was wrong because stealing is not kind. Next time I will ask if I can see it and then give it back to you. Will you forgive me?"
Name one of the two teams that are playing in the World Series of baseball?
LA Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays
At recess, you want to play on the swings, but they are all taken. You yell and push a classmate out of the swing. The classmate now has a cut on her knee and is bleeding.
You should tell the classmate "I am sorry for yelling and pushing you. It was wrong because it was unsafe, hurt your feelings, and hurt your knee. Next time I will go play on the slide when the swings are all taken. How can I make it up to you?"
What are ways you can apologize?
In person, letter, or phone call
"What?! You don't forgive me?! Well I didn't mean it anyways! I'm not sorry!"
Bad. No expectation of forgiveness
A good apology means being okay if the other person is still upset and not getting mad if our apology is not accepted right away.
Sometimes, our apologies fix whatever has happened on the spot. But some other times, the other person still feels hurt and needs some space and time before they are ready to forgive us.
"I'm sorry for yelling, but I was right!"
"I am sorry for yelling at you. It was wrong because it was not kind and unhelpful. Next time I will wait my turn to speak. Will you forgive me?"
In which country did Halloween originate?
Irland
You see your friend whispering to someone else and looking at you. When you walk over, they stop talking. You are feeling angry and call your friend a mean name.
You should tell your friend "I am sorry for calling you a mean name. It was wrong because I made assumptions and hurt your feelings. Next time I will ask you what is going on before jumping to conclusions.