The task of seeing things differently is difficult for children until abstract reasoning is developed and the child can entertain the notion that someone else not only has a different point of view from theirs, but that it may merit consideration. Up to the age of 11 this may be a task in futility, however, some children will acquire the necessary language development earlier than others. The rest will have to take it on faith. So expectations should be realistic...and for children who are developmentally in the egocentric stage, seeing things differently will take concrete examples. It would not be realistic to think that children under the age of 11 would generate ways to change their minds without your guided directions.
I would like to add that children with disabilities may be significantly delayed in acquiring language skills. Expectations should be realistic and adjusted to the individual child.
I totally agree with Jo, it is a difficult task even for adults. Changing one's perspective necessitates being able to see in essence with another person's eyes. I have had success at times by actually having kids role play the other person's responses. Sometimes this helps them see things differently. I do think it is important for kids to use this technique.
I appreciated the idea behind this, but it can be really difficult to do. It can be a challenge to see past your own feelings in the moment, but it is also important.
Seems like everyone agrees this is a difficult one for students to grasp, still it's worth a try. I think if we continue to expose students to the idea, and give guidance, the benefits will eventually come. Another idea might be to look at situations and ask "How can we do this differently?"
The students in my class struggle with empathy and looking at things from different peoples perspectives. It is difficult for them to understand that another person might have different feelings or points of view about something. This phrase is a great opportunity for me to discuss with them that they themselves might have to change their minds about something because they can't change the situation. Once they understand that they can look at something from different perspectives they will be more inclined to see that other people can as well.
I just like the line, "How can we change our minds even though we can't change the situation." I think 5th graders can understand that with modeling. It's pretty much like asking if the glass is 1/2 full or 1/2 empty.
I use this strategy when I teach social stories to my students. Often they don't like the social story or the adult "appropriate perspective" that the story intends to convey. But by acknowledging their viewpoint and then asking this question I can often get them to have a more open mind.
Jo's comment is helpful to me because this skills is very difficult for children with Autism. Additionally, when related to social behaviors, like empathy, the same cocial skills has to be taught in a variety of settings as my kids have a difficult time generalizing from one situation to another.
13 Comments:
The task of seeing things differently is difficult for children until abstract reasoning is developed and the child can entertain the notion that someone else not only has a different point of view from theirs, but that it may merit consideration. Up to the age of 11 this may be a task in futility, however, some children will acquire the necessary language development earlier than others. The rest will have to take it on faith. So expectations should be realistic...and for children who are developmentally in the egocentric stage, seeing things differently will take concrete examples. It would not be realistic to think that children under the age of 11 would generate ways to change their minds without your guided directions.
I would like to add that children with disabilities may be significantly delayed in acquiring language skills. Expectations should be realistic and adjusted to the individual child.
I totally agree with Jo, it is a difficult task even for adults. Changing one's perspective necessitates being able to see in essence with another person's eyes. I have had success at times by actually having kids role play the other person's responses. Sometimes this helps them see things differently. I do think it is important for kids to use this technique.
This is very difficult to absorb for younger children. They aren't sophisticated enough to understand the concept of having a different perspective
This is way to complicated for young ones to understand. They are not sophisticated enough intellectually to get what "a different perspective" means.
My students have a very hard time seeing things differently but we do brain storm, roll play and put these ideas on the board.
I appreciated the idea behind this, but it can be really difficult to do. It can be a challenge to see past your own feelings in the moment, but it is also important.
Seems like everyone agrees this is a difficult one for students to grasp, still it's worth a try. I think if we continue to expose students to the idea, and give guidance, the benefits will eventually come. Another idea might be to look at situations and ask "How can we do this differently?"
The students in my class struggle with empathy and looking at things from different peoples perspectives. It is difficult for them to understand that another person might have different feelings or points of view about something. This phrase is a great opportunity for me to discuss with them that they themselves might have to change their minds about something because they can't change the situation. Once they understand that they can look at something from different perspectives they will be more inclined to see that other people can as well.
I just like the line, "How can we change our minds even though we can't change the situation." I think 5th graders can understand that with modeling. It's pretty much like asking if the glass is 1/2 full or 1/2 empty.
I use this strategy when I teach social stories to my students. Often they don't like the social story or the adult "appropriate perspective" that the story intends to convey. But by acknowledging their viewpoint and then asking this question I can often get them to have a more open mind.
Jo's comment is helpful to me because this skills is very difficult for children with Autism. Additionally, when related to social behaviors, like empathy, the same cocial skills has to be taught in a variety of settings as my kids have a difficult time generalizing from one situation to another.
Seeing others perspectives is a good life skill. I will try to use this with my students to encourage that. There will always be disappointments.
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