Perspective Taking
Does each person have the same perspective in every situation?
No!
Name one clue we can use to read someone's mood.
(1) Facial expressions & body language - are they smiling? Is their body facing me?
(2) Eye contact - are they looking back at me?
(3) Tone of voice - are they speaking in a loud and excited voice?
Two of your friends are having a conversation and are worried about the Science test tomorrow. You aren’t worried about the exam! You say, “I’m not stressed at all. That stuff is so easy, a baby could answer those questions.” Your friends look at each other, shaking their heads. Were you a social chameleon?
No!
What does it mean to be a flexible thinker?
Being flexible means being a social chameleon, thinking about more than one solution, thinking about others, being okay if your plans change, keeping an open mind, and trying new things.
You just lost your last soccer game and are really upset. How can you show good sportsmanship?
You can say "good game" to the opposing team. You can put a smile on your face and brush off the loss.
What does it mean to put ourselves in someone's shoes?
It does NOT mean to actually put on someone else's shoes! It means to take someone's perspective and imagine how it would feel to be that person.
If someone is speaking with a soft tone of voice, how might they feel?
If they are speaking softly they may be sad or upset. If the person turns away from you they may not want to talk to you or are in a hurry to leave.
What does it mean to be a social chameleon?
Being a social chameleon means that you can blend in and adapt to any situation.
When we are upset/ frustrated when things change or when people don’t want to do what we want it means that we are ….
Rigid or stuck
Why is self-control important when trying to be a good sport?
When we have self-control our friends will have good thoughts about us and want to continue playing with us.
What is perspective taking?
We try to put ourselves in another person’s shoes and imagine how it would feel to be that person
Why is it important to read someone's mood?
If we take the time to read people’s mood we will know what to say and how to act around them. If we don’t read people’s mood we might continue behaviors that make others annoyed or uncomfortable. It also helps us build and maintain friendships.
Give an example of a time when you've shown a friend you care about their feelings.
Tell us a time when you had to be flexible when a plan changed.
Share three reasons why it is important to be a good sport.
1. Our friends will want to hang out with us
2. We will have more friends
3. It shows that we are having fun!
Give an example of a situation where two people might have different perspectives.
How is reading the *room* different than reading someone's mood?
You look at the whole room, people in it, and what they are doing when you read the room. When you read someone's mood, you are looking at how that person might be feeling.
You are listening to some friends talk about what they did over spring break. One friend says, “I went rock climbing with my cousins. It was so fun!” Your other friend asks, “Where did you go?” You interrupt them by saying, “Guess what? I went to the museum this weekend!” Did you fit into the conversation like a social chameleon? If not, what can you do to fit in like a social chameleon?
No! You can ask an on-topic question about rock climbing or make a comment.
Tells us whether these examples show that you are being flexible or rigid: Wearing the same sweatshirt each day, switching up plans with friends, eating foods you have not tried, only having playdates at your house
Rigid, flexible, flexible, rigid
If we say “I’m quitting” or yell/scream when we are losing in a game, how might our friends feel?
confused, scared, uncomfortable, or angry
Your friend just lost his soccer game this past weekend. You ask him about it, but his voice is low, his shoulders are slumped, and he's looking at the ground. How can you take his perspective into account?
You can stop talking about the soccer game and change the topic.
Make a plan and read the room: You walk into gym class, and everyone is standing in rows and paired up with a partner. They are quietly waiting as the gym teacher gets a soccer ball. What should you do?
Look at the whole room, people in it, and what they are doing - you are in school and expected to join the group. Try to find a partner or tell the teacher you need a partner!
Two of your friends are having a conversation. Your friend says, “I’m so stressed out about this math test tomorrow.” Your other friend says, “Me too. I hope I don’t fail.” You aren’t worried about the exam! You say, “I’m not stressed at all. That stuff is so easy, a baby could answer those questions.” Your friends look at each other. Did you fit into the conversation like a social chameleon? If not, what can you do to fit in like a social chameleon?
No! You can ask if they need any help studying.
Bobby and Andrew are discussing their favorite sports. Bobby shares that his favorite sport is basketball. Andrew responds that football is way better. When Bobby explains his reasoning for like basketball Andrew couldn’t accept that Bobby had a different opinion than him…Was Andrew being flexible or rigid, how do you know?
Rigid!!!
Pick a partner on your team and role play either a good sport or poor sport behavior. If the other team guesses correctly, you get a point!