PL 3.04Asking for Help and Saying Thank You
The child learns to notice when they need help, ask with "Will you please help me?", and say thank you afterward.
Presentation
Search videos (opens YouTube in a new tab)- 1
Gather a small group. Ask a partner to sit nearby.
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Try to open the tight jar lid. Stop and say aloud: "This is too hard for me. I need help."
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Walk to the partner and say: 'Will you please help me open this jar?'
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The partner opens it. Say: 'Thank you.' The partner answers: 'You're welcome.'
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Show a second case: the partner is busy and says, 'Not now, I am working.' Answer 'All right' and ask another person, or wait.
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Ask the children which words you used.
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Invite children to take turns asking a partner for help with the jar.
What catches the child’s eye
- The tight lid that will not turn
- "You're welcome" coming back after the thank you
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Ask a classmate for help rolling a long mat
- Ask an adult for help when hurt or upset
- Offer help to someone who seems stuck: "Would you like help?"
Control of error
In the role-play the partner waits for the words; pointing, crying, or grabbing gets a pause and a quiet "What do you need?"
Ready to move on when the child…
- Asks for help with words instead of crying or grabbing
- Says thank you without prompting
- Asks another person or waits after "not now"
Guide note
Please and thank you are also practiced in Offering, Accepting, and Declining; this lesson adds asking for help. Help only as much as needed, so the child keeps doing what they can.