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Table 1 Sample PEECh Lesson

From: Effects of philosophical ethics in early childhood on preschool children's social–emotional competence and theory of mind

LESSON 7 – ‘Let’s Play Together’

a. Goals:

1. To introduce a discussion on the themes of/have children consider empathy, perspective-taking, sharing, and inclusion versus exclusion of peers

2. To develop children’s prosocial and ethical skills in interactions with peers

3. To introduce additional PEECh puppets

4. To create a positive atmosphere in which children can discuss these themes together

b. Materials:

1. PEECh puppets (‘Angel’ and ‘Patrick’)

2. Markers, crayons, or finger paints

c. Conducting the Lesson:

Warm-Up – ‘My Favorite Game’ [for whole class]

i. Have the whole class sit in a circle. Ask the group about their favorite game (or toy) to play with other children. Ask the group why they like to play this game with others

ii. Children can take turns – one-by-one – thinking and answering these questions. Encourage children to listen while other children answer

iii. Introduce ‘Angel’ and ‘Patrick’ to the class. As usual, feel free to have the puppets ask questions of the class (about their day, their school, some of their favorite things, etc.) and/or the class can ask them questions

Story and Dialogue – ‘Let’s Play Together’ [for whole class]

i. While the class is still sitting in a circle, read the following story:

Angel likes to play with a toy truck and to pretend that she is driving it all over town. Angel likes to play with friends. But Angel also likes to play alone, especially when she only has one toy truck

Patrick also likes to play with toy trucks but he doesn’t have one with him today. He sees Angel playing with her truck and asks her if he can play with the truck too

Angel isn’t sure what to do because she only has one truck. She has been having fun playing with the truck by herself

ii. Discuss the story. Potential questions include:

1. How does Angel feel? Why does she feel that way?

2. How does Patrick feel? Why does he feel that way?

3. What should Angel do after Patrick asks to play with the truck? Why?

4. If you were playing with Angel and Patrick, what would you suggest that they do? Why?

Extension Activity [for half/whole class] – ‘The Solution Wall’

i. This activity can be conducted with the whole class, or with half of the class followed by the next half

ii. Revisit the ‘Let’s Play Together’ story with the group. Discuss the basic issue in the story, namely, that Angel has only one truck but Patrick wants to play with the truck too

iii. Next, ask the children what they think Angel and Patrick should do to resolve this issue. Discuss their potential solutions

iv. Ask children to draw what they think should happen to end this story/what Angel and Patrick should do in this situation (i.e., the fact that there is one truck but they both want to play with it)

v. Ask each child to share their drawing, telling the class what they draw and why. Once all children have had a chance to share, hang the drawings on a wall (creating a ‘Solution Wall’)