The big ideaYou can say a kind no to your friends and keep your own plan.
How it works
Maya had eight coins, saving for a paint set that cost ten. Her friends bought sticker packs at three coins each and said, come on, buy one!
She liked her friends and hated being left out, which is a very normal feeling. She took a slow breath and said a kind no.
A kind no says thanks, says your plan and offers something else to do. It can be said twice, with no new reason.
A real friend can hear a no. Two weeks later her jar held ten coins and the paint set was hers. Buying the stickers would have been okay too, just a different plan.
The more packs, the fewer coins left for the paint set.A kind no, and not so kind.
Example 1: One pack
Maya has 8 coins and a pack costs 3.
8 − 3 = 5
She would have 5 coins left, and the paint set costs 10, so she would need 5 more.
Example 2: Two packs
Two packs cost 3 + 3 = 6 coins.
8 − 6 = 2
Only 2 coins would be left.
Example 3: Saying a kind no
Thanks: "Not today, thanks."
Your plan: "I am saving for a paint set."
Something else: "I would love to look at your stickers!"
Example 4: Saying it twice
Ana asks again.
Maya says, "No thanks, I am saving," calm as before.
A kind no needs no new reason.
Example 5: It goes both ways
Later Maya asks Leo if he wants an ice cream.
He says no thanks, because he is saving too.
Maya says, "Okay!" with a smile.
Words to know
kind no
A no that says thanks, says your plan and offers something else.
plan
What you are saving or spending for.
saving
Keeping coins for later.
Watch out
Feeling left out is a very normal feeling. It passes.
Putting down a friend's choice, teasing about coins and threats are not a kind no.
Stickers are no test of friendship.
Buying the same as your friends is okay too. It is just a different plan.
Try it
Maya has 8 coins and buys two packs at 3 coins each. How many coins are left?
What are the three parts of a kind no?
Is, Ha! You wasted your coins, a kind no?
Can you say a kind no twice?
Answers: 1. 2 · 2. Say thanks, say your plan, offer something else · 3. No · 4. Yes
Try at homeWith a grown-up, talk about a time friends wanted to spend on something. Say a kind no together: thanks, your plan, then something else to do.
For grown-upsPractice a kind no together: thanks, your plan, then something else to do. Role-play a friend asking, and take a turn being the friend who hears a no.
Open these notes on screenScan the code, or go to tutorpip.com.