Cover of S18 E5 When We Don’t Understand Someone – Respecting Differences and Responding with Kindness

S18 E5 When We Don’t Understand Someone – Respecting Differences and Responding with Kindness

S18 E5 When We Don’t Understand Someone – Respecting Differences and Responding with Kindness

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Summary
 Follow Mindful Moments with Miss Harrison to hear every new episode. Teacher and pupil resources are coming soon for every episode.When We Don’t Understand Someone – Respecting Differences and Responding with KindnessHelping children understand that they can treat someone with patience, curiosity and respect even when they do not fully understand that person’s feelings, needs or experiences.In this fifth episode of Mindful Moments with Miss Harrison’s Seeing Through Other Eyes series, children explore an important idea:We do not have to understand everything about somebody to respect them.In the previous episode, children practised listening to understand.They learned to stop, listen and check.To give someone their attention.To notice feelings as well as facts.And to ask questions instead of assuming they already knew what the person meant.But sometimes, even when we listen carefully, we still find ourselves thinking:“I just don’t understand.”This episode explores what we can do in those moments.Perhaps a friend loves being the centre of attention, while you prefer to stay quietly in the background.Perhaps somebody becomes upset about something that would not bother you.Perhaps another person needs more time.More space.Or more help with something that feels easy to you.Our first thought might be:“But why?”Wanting to understand is a good thing.But we will not always have all the answers.People have different experiences.Different personalities.Different feelings.Different needs.We can respect those differences while we are still learning about them.Through the story of Sophie and Ravi, children discover what this can look like in everyday life.Sophie loves lunchtime.She enjoys the busy dining hall.Chatting with friends.Hearing everyone laughing around her.But her classmate Ravi experiences it differently.When they enter the hall, he often becomes quiet.Sometimes he covers his ears.Whenever possible, he chooses a seat near the edge of the room.One day, Sophie asks:“Why do you always sit over here?”“It’s much more fun in the middle.”Ravi shrugs.“I just don’t like it there.”Sophie does not understand.“It’s only noise,” she thinks.The next day, the fire alarm is tested.The sudden, piercing sound makes Sophie jump.For a few seconds, it feels as though the noise fills her whole head.Later, she thinks about Ravi.She does not know whether the dining hall feels anything like that to him.She still cannot know exactly what his experience is like.But she realises something important:She does not need to experience the noise exactly as Ravi does to believe that he finds it uncomfortable.At lunchtime, Sophie sits beside him near the edge of the hall.“You don’t have to sit here,” Ravi says.“I know,” Sophie replies.“I just thought I’d join you today.”Sophie still does not completely understand Ravi’s experience.But she can respect his choice of seat.She can believe what he tells her.And she can spend time with him in the place he prefers.The story reminds children that understanding is not always the first step.Sometimes, believing and respecting someone comes first.The episode introduces three ways to respond thoughtfully when someone’s experience is different from our own.Accept that people experience things differently.Something that feels easy to you might feel difficult to somebody else.Something you enjoy might feel uncomfortable for another person.We do not have to compare our experiences before taking theirs seriously.Ask kindly.When it is appropriate, we can invite someone to tell us more.But an invitation to explain should leave room for them to choose.People do not always have to explain themselves to us.Respect what they tell you.When someone describes a feeling or a need, we can listen and respond respectfully.We do not have to feel exactly the same way first.Through a reflection activity, children practise changing a thought that can lead to a quick judgement.They begin with:“That doesn’t make sense.”Then they try:“That doesn’t make sense to me yet.”This change reminds them that their own understanding is only one viewpoint.Next, they ask:“I wonder what this is like for them.”Finally, they remind themselves:“I don’t have to experience it myself to respect how they feel.”Sometimes, staying curious helps us understand more.Sometimes, we still do not fully understand.We can continue to respond with respect in either situation.The episode helps children recognise that somebody else’s experience does not need to match their own to matter.What children will learn in this episode:Why people can experience the same environment or situation differentlyHow feelings, experiences, personalities and needs can shape someone’s responseWhy careful listening does not always lead to complete understandingHow to respond respectfully when another person’s experience feels unfamiliarWhy people do not always have to explain or prove how ...
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