COUNSELOR SPOTLIGHT
Have you ever gazed at the clouds with a loved one, searching for animal shapes? It's fascinating how two people can look at the same thing but interpret it differently. This month, our counseling lessons focused on perspective-taking, helping students practice understanding and appreciating others' points of view. Some of us read the book Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld, a delightful and clever picture book, to present a humorous debate between two characters over whether the creature they see is a duck or a rabbit. Our older students practiced sharing their perspectives about abstract pictures, and they participated in a listening activity where one student had a picture and was tasked with giving understandable instructions for their table partners to draw the picture. It was a great activity to practice communicating clearly and calmly and listening intently while following directions.
To make this skill practical, we turned to Kid President’s insightful tips on handling disagreements with kindness and respect:
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Treat people like people – Remember, you’re talking to a fellow human with feelings and a heartbeat.
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Listen, listen, listen – Even if their perspective seems confusing, give it your attention.
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Pause, breathe, love – It’s okay to disagree, but express your thoughts with kindness.
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Distract – If you’re stuck in a heated moment, a little distraction can lighten the mood.
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Acceptance – Embrace that not everyone thinks the same way—and that’s what makes the world interesting!
These lessons reminded us how valuable it is to approach disagreements with understanding, compassion, and a sense of humor.
As a family, you can find ways to create opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations and activities that build empathy and understanding:
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"Walk in Their Shoes" Conversations
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Ask open-ended questions like, "How do you think they felt?" after watching movies, reading books, or hearing stories.
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Volunteer Together
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Activities like helping at a shelter or participating in community service foster empathy and broaden perspectives
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~ Ms. Mahan