PL 3.02Interrupting Politely
The child learns to get the attention of a busy adult by placing a hand on their shoulder and waiting.
Age 3–5Work 2 of 6 in Grace and Courtesy
Presentation
- 1
Gather a small group. Ask another adult to sit at a table giving a lesson to a child.
- 2
Say: 'I need to ask Ms. Lee something, but she is busy. Watch what I do.'
- 3
Walk to the adult and gently place your hand on her shoulder. Stand quietly and wait.
- 4
The adult places her hand on yours to show she knows you are there, finishes her sentence, and turns to you.
- 5
Say: 'Excuse me, may I have more paper?' Listen to the answer. Say: 'Thank you.'
- 6
Ask the children what you did and what the adult did.
- 7
Invite children to take turns practicing.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Practice interrupting two children who are talking
- Practice waiting when the adult is on the phone or speaking to a parent
- Older children act out the lesson for younger ones
Control of error
The adult's hand on the child's hand signals that the child has been noticed and will be answered.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Uses the hand-on-shoulder signal instead of calling out
- Waits until acknowledged before speaking
- Says "Excuse me" without prompting