Resist Peer Pressure by Practicing Assertiveness

Social acceptance matters immensely in a child's development. It provides children with a nurturing sense of belongingness that improves their self-concept and bolsters their emotional well-being.

Children seek social acceptance as soon as they attend formal schooling. This emerges as a desire to fit in and be liked by their peers. However, in pursuing external validation, they might compromise their true selves and engage in activities they don't genuinely resonate with. Feeling compelled to conform to certain behaviors is a manifestation of peer pressure.

Peer pressure can be positive or negative, and it is common in schools. Positive peer pressure occurs when students are inspired to engage in positive behaviors. Negative peer pressure, on the other hand, occurs when students engage in misconduct to impress their peers.

Schools are responsible for teaching students how to address positive and negative peer influence. Through this evidence-based SEL lesson, schools can educate students to resist negative peer pressure and encourage positive behavior.

The lesson begins with a poem, "Two Little Spiders," and an engaging class discussion. Kindergarten students recite the poem and enact its accompanying actions. Afterward, they participate in a conversation reinforcing the importance of self-honesty and keeping promises to show assertiveness and resist negative pressure.

Following the class discussion is an SEL activity that engages students' creativity. Kindergartners create pom-pom spiders using body cards and pom-poms. The teacher guides students as they craft their souvenirs from the poem. These little spiders serve as a reminder to be truthful to themselves and be their own persons in determining their own decisions.

By the end of the lesson, students learn about assertiveness and self-determination. Students gain these skills by exercising self-honesty and keeping promises to assert their true intentions and genuine interests. Through this lesson, they can stand against negative influence by taking control of their decisions and choosing positive actions.