PL 3.05Apologizing
The child learns to notice harm they caused, name it, apologize, and offer to help.
Presentation
- 1
Gather a small group. Ask a partner to sit working with a tower of blocks.
- 2
Walk past and accidentally bump the tower so a block falls.
- 3
Stop, turn to the partner, and look at them.
- 4
Say: 'I bumped your tower. I am sorry. May I help you fix it?'
- 5
The partner answers: 'Yes, please,' or 'No, thank you, I can do it.' Help or step away as asked.
- 6
Ask the children what happened and what you said. Point out the three parts: say what happened, say sorry, offer help.
- 7
Invite children to act out the scene in pairs, with a guide playing the partner first.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Apologize for bumping into someone in line
- Act out apologizing for a spoken unkind word
- Use the peace table or peace rose to talk through a conflict and apologize
Control of error
The other person's answer and expression show whether the apology was received.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Stops and apologizes after an accident without prompting
- Names what happened in the apology
- Offers to help fix the problem
Guide note
Present apologizing in a calm moment, not right after a real conflict. A forced "sorry" does not teach the skill; model it and allow the child time.