Perspective Taking

To be thought of as a considerate person, we must consider other peoples’ perspectives before we act or speak.  When we don’t consider how our actions will make others feel, we end up seeming rude, inconsiderate, and self-centered.

Children that lack good perspective taking skills are often considered inconsiderate and rude by their peers.  These children tend to do what is in their own best interest and disregard what is best for the group or anyone else they are with.

When children have trouble with perspective taking, they usually have difficulty making or maintaining friendships, being on teams, or being a member of a school group.

Positive Results of Improving Students Perspective Taking Skills

Students who improve their perspective taking are better able to:

Perspective taking is an essential skill children need to interpret “why” and “how” situations happen and then respond appropriately to that information.

Strategies To Teach Perspective Taking

Helpful strategies for taking another’s perspective include:

So how do we teach children to take others’ perspectives and improve their perspective taking abilities?

Practicing what you preach can be harder than it seems, but demonstrating perspective taking skills, in real time with your students, is good for you and them.

It is easier to be fair and just, if we take the time to see how a situation looks from someone else’s point of view.

Young children learn much by watching you, so when you show them the value of perspective taking, they will be more likely to engage in it too.

Talk about all feelings with your students, not just the positive emotions, and teach your students that all feelings are valid.

Acknowledge and respect your students feelings.  Children will be better able to understand others’ perspectives when they feel their thoughts, feelings, and experiences are understood and respected.

Show your student’s that you understand their perspective by repeating back to them what you hear them saying or describing to them what you think they may be thinking or feeling, wanting or intending.

Remember that understanding someone else’s perspective does not necessarily mean that you agree with them, it is however, an acknowledgement of how they are thinking, feeling, what they want or need.

For example, when you see someone help someone else, talk to your students about what each person might be feeling or thinking.  Help them build connections between people’s actions and their motivations.

It’s also important to help children understand how their behaviors affect other people.

If your student throws a toy and it hits another child, help your student build that cause-and-effect connection by talking about how their actions impact other people or their environment.