Week 32 Lesson – Taking Risks

Children begin to take risks from an early age. When that is done within a framework of security and safety, this helps them to learn about their world and to grow. In order for kids to develop new skills, they must be willing to step out of their comfort zone, explore new ideas, try new activities, and meet new people. When children take risks under the guidance of caring adults, they improve their sense of choice, control, and achievement, as well as build their decision-making and problem-solving skills.

 Some things that can hinder a child’s willingness to take risks are:

• They are worried about how they will be perceived by peers.
• They are overwhelmed with the possibility of failure.
• They are apathetic about trying something challenging.           
• They have learned from adults that “playing it safe” is best.

This week the Puppet Pals find themselves in situations where they must decide whether to take a risk in trying a new activity, learning something new, making a new friend, or joining a new group. They discover that a willingness to try something new, even when they are unsure of the outcome, has its benefits. That’s how they broaden their physical, academic, and social worlds. Taking smart risks is something that leaders do.

As you watch these videos with your children, it can lead to conversations about ways that they too can take smart risks in their own lives. Adults play an important role in helping a young child make decisions about whether a given risk is a wise one or not. Getting to practice this early on with smaller stakes, will help them as they make bigger decisions in their future. 

This week of lessons includes four scenario videos that you can watch with your students Monday through Thursday, with follow-up questions for class discussions. Kids can join Peter Leader on Friday as the Puppet Pals try to answer questions about smart risks in the game show: What Would A Leader Do?

This week also includes a Simple Summary video in Spanish to help those who are developing simple language skills, while focusing on the target social-emotional skill of the week.