What are promises, and why do people make them? Does it matter to keep a promise? In this evidence-based SEL lesson, kindergarten students learn the weight of the words they give others, how to stay true to their promises, and how keeping their word strengthens their social-emotional development.
Promises are people's declaration of intent and commitment to others and oneself. For kindergarten students, examples of promises include learning new things, maintaining friendships, and keeping a secret. Following their classroom rules or Code of Conduct is also a practice of staying true to their words.
Adults and children share common motivations for giving their words to others. They want to build trust and strengthen bonds, improve their behavior and skills, and uphold their professional or academic commitments and duties. Keeping their word is a way to show up for themselves, practice self-honesty, and demonstrate integrity. Otherwise, they may damage trust, hinder personal development, and lose credibility.
"Upholding a promise is a demonstration of social-emotional development and self-honesty. It embodies self-management wherein an individual takes responsibility for their words and actions, shows self-discipline, and stays true to oneself."
A poor little monkey named Miska learns this valuable lesson the hard way in the story "The Day Miska Forgot Her Promise." In this tale, Miska Monkey is sailing across Lake Self-Honesty on a boat with her other animal friends. Every animal on board has a designated task to maintain their safe sailing. However, Abbott Rabbit feels ill one day, disabling him from attending his post. While he tries to recover, he asks Miska to check the anchor rope until he can return.
Miska agrees to help her friend and does fine in the first few hours. However, she forgets her responsibility when Barney Bear invites her to play. As she sleeps soundly on her bed that night, the boat bumps and heads to the big rocks. All the animals work together to set the sail before reaching danger.
Thank goodness the animals are safe, but what lesson does Miska learn after this? In the next part of the lesson, the students discuss the consequences of breaking promises. They understand that the words they give others and themselves bear a responsibility they cannot ignore.
The lesson ends with a fun SEL activity encouraging students to draw something they promise to do before school tomorrow. After they complete the task, they pinky swear to always stay true to their words and be honest about themselves.
Upholding a promise is a demonstration of social-emotional development and self-honesty. It embodies self-management wherein an individual takes responsibility for their words and actions, shows self-discipline, and stays true to oneself. Furthermore, it develops social skills by maintaining trust and strengthening relationships. By teaching this lesson, schools and educators equip their students with values and intelligence that improve students' character and behavior.
Pasela is a digital product presented by Positive Action.
Find out more