when someone hits you

 Materials:

 Introduction:

Use a picture of a child hitting another child, or use an actual event that has happened in the classroom where one child has hit another. It is not necessary to name the child directly. You do not want the child shamed. Just simply bring up a situation that has occurred where hitting has taken place.

 Objective/Purpose:

The child will use the appropriate problem solving and language skills to resolve a social interaction where another child hits him or her.

 Procedure:

1. Introduce the picture or situation and talk about the events leading up to the child hitting another child. Explore the 'rights' and 'wrongs' about this having happened.

2. Ask the children to identify what they should do if someone hits them and also explore reasons why another child might hit (e.g., doesn't know anything better to do, has never been taught how to respond, cannot come up with the words necessary to tell another child what she or he wants).

3. Have a child come forward that is socially able to tell others what to do if other children hit him or her. Give the child scenarios in which hitting might occur and how to respond.

4. Children can be asked separately or in a group how they or someone else should respond if someone hits them. Ask them to name reasons why another child might hit to help them learn empathy for another individual's situation. Talk about moral rights and wrongs. Remember that two and three year old children hit. That is a part of their social development.

 Practice & Extended Activities:

Have children practice in pairs or small groups, with one child pretending to hit and another child being the victim. Have the children rehearse what they would do if they were in a crowd watching this happen, or have a child take on the role of a teacher to help broaden their understanding of all the roles involved.

Children can draw pictures or write in a journal about their experiences of hitting or being hit. They should be allowed to practice problem solving in the play areas.

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             The greatness of the human personality begins at the hour of birth. From this almost mystic affirmation there comes what may seem a strange conclusion: that education must start from birth. -  Maria Montessori

02/14/2008