Mr. Jazzman is setting a good example for pre-kindergartners in this lesson’s story, "It’s My Choice." Here, Mr. Jazzman strictly resists the pressure from Kayla and an ice cream vendor to eat ice cream. He has just eaten a big breakfast and lunch, and he knows if he eats more, his stomach may hurt.
This lesson’s story is a great example for pre-kindergartners of how peer pressure happens and how they can resist it by being self-honest. The "Kayla," “Mai,” and “Mr. Jazzman” visual aids are displayed to help the students imagine the story better.
Aside from a relatable story, an engaging discussion and an elaborate SEL activity come with this lesson. The discussion allows space for the teacher to explain what peer pressure means. The teacher asks the students to share their experiences of being pressured to do something out of their will. Afterward, the teacher helps the students learn different positive actions for resisting peer pressure. The students learn that one of the best positive actions to take is telling themselves the truth about what they want to do.
"In their desire to achieve a sense of belonging, pre-kindergartners may feel internal or external pressure to copy and follow the path of their peers."
To practice the positive action of resisting peer pressure, they participate in an SEL activity where they act out different scenarios and answer mental exercises. Pre-kindergartners realize that following what they like to do and refusing to be pressured make them feel good about themselves. The lesson is capped off with the Positive Action song, "Go Ahead, Make a Choice."
Pre-kindergartners, as highly social beings who thrive in relationships, are susceptible to peer pressure. In their desire to achieve a sense of belonging, pre-kindergartners may feel internal or external pressure to copy and follow the path of their peers. In school, pre-kindergartners may show signs of being peer pressured when they behave inappropriately as they strive to make themselves more likable to their peers.
As pre-kindergartners grow, social pressure can become more intense. This is why it is important that they learn how to manage these situations at an early age. Otherwise, they can be vulnerable to negative pressures, leading them to make poor decisions and behave negatively.
To help pre-kindergartners resist peer pressure, this lesson teaches them self-honesty. By being honest about what they truly want to pursue and what they believe in, they can avoid the pressure that tells them otherwise.
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