In your classroom, Jennifer and Becky keep lying to Tom and taking his toys. This makes Tom cry, and they think it is funny. Choose two of the guidelines for promoting moral development, and explain how you would use them in this situation.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Guidelines for moral development follow:
• Use other-oriented reasoning with children.
• Set clear and appropriate expectations and standards for children’s behavior.
• Use stories to promote thinking and discussion about moral issues.
• Provide ample time for child-selected play and materials that promote cooperation.
• Provide activities that help children become more aware of how the face conveys emotions.
• Initiate thinking games that encourage children to seek multiple alternatives for social problems.
• Expect accountability.
• Plan thinking games that deal with moral intentionality.
• Realize that not all cultures share the same values.

The first thing I would do is have a talk with Jennifer and Becky, and explain that it is not funny to hurt Tom. I would ask them how they feel if someone did the things they are doing to Tom to them. I would explain that what they are doing makes Tom very sad. The second thing I would do is tell the class a story about some children who picked on a classmate and how that was harmful to everyone, so that Jennifer, Becky, and the whole class can see why that type of behavior is unacceptable and harmful.