Lesson 227: Asking for help

❤️ SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (40 Lessons) • 🟣 D. Problem Solving & Safety

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Objective

I can talk about asking for help. I can say when I might need help, who to ask, and what to say to a safe adult.

Materials

Mini-lesson — Asking for help is a strong choice

Asking for help means telling someone when you need support. It is a strong and safe choice, not a weakness.

When do we ask for help?

  • When something feels too hard to do alone.
  • When you feel confused and do not understand.
  • When you feel unsafe, scared, or see something wrong.
  • When a conflict or problem does not get better, even after calm talking.

Who are safe helpers?

  • Parents, grandparents, and carers at home.
  • Teachers, school helpers, and coaches.
  • Trusted adults in your family or community.
  • Sometimes older, trusted siblings can get an adult for you.

What can we say?

  • Use a brave voice, even if it feels quiet inside.
  • Say your name if the adult does not know you.
  • Tell what is wrong in simple words.
  • Tell what you need, like "Please come" or "Please make it stop".

Help steps — Notice, Name, Ask, Stay

  • Notice — "Something feels wrong or too hard."
  • Name — "This is a problem. I cannot fix it alone."
  • Ask — "Can you help me, please?"
  • Stay — Stay near the safe adult until you feel safer.

Big problems and small problems

  • Small problems — You can try calm steps first (like "Stop, Breathe, Think, Choose") and then ask for help if needed.
  • Big or unsafe problems — Ask for help right away. You do not have to fix it alone.

Adults can say: "Thank you for telling me. You did the right thing by asking for help."

Picture strip: "I need help"

Guided Practice — My help plan

You and an adult will make a simple help plan to practise who to ask and what to say when you need help.

  1. On a notebook page, draw three boxes down the page. Label them "When", "Who", and "What I say".
  2. In the When box, draw or write one time you might need help, such as "When I feel lost", "When someone is hurt", or "When kids are not being safe".
  3. In the Who box, draw a safe helper for that time (for example, "teacher", "coach", "parent"). Add a short label.
  4. In the What I say box, help the child think of a clear, brave sentence, such as "My name is ___. I need help because ___" or "Can you please come?". Write the sentence and add a speech bubble.
  5. Repeat the same steps for a second help plan on the next page (for example, "When I see something unsafe online" or "When kids will not stop being unkind").
  6. Practise acting out the help plan. The child can pretend to walk up to a safe adult and say the sentence.
  7. Ask: "How does your body feel when you ask for help?" and "What helps you feel brave when you speak?"
Tracing Pad
Tracing snapshot for print
Tip: As you trace, say a sentence such as "It is strong and smart to ask for help."

Practice — My circle of helpers

Use this practice to help your child notice their circle of safe helpers and remember that they are not alone with big problems.

  1. On a new page, draw a small circle in the middle and write or trace "Me" inside.
  2. Around the middle circle, draw 4–6 bigger circles. Write or trace one safe helper in each circle (for example, "Mum", "Dad", "Teacher", "Coach", "Grandparent").
  3. Help your child draw a simple picture of each helper next to their name. Talk about how each person can help in different ways.
  4. Add tiny symbols beside each helper, such as:
    • a heart for "helps me feel loved",
    • a shield for "helps keep me safe",
    • a light bulb for "helps me solve problems".
  5. At the bottom of the page, write or trace a brave sentence, such as "I can ask my helpers when I need them."
  6. Ask: "Who could you tell if something felt unsafe?" and "What words could you use to ask for help?"
  7. Use stickers or stars to mark helpers your child would go to first if they needed help quickly.

Quick Check — Asking for help

Answer each question about asking for help, safe adults, and brave voices.

1) What does it mean to ask for help?

Asking for help means telling a trusted person that you need support.

2) Which sentence shows a good way to ask for help?

A clear, kind sentence helps adults understand what you need.

3) When is a good time to ask for help?

We can ask for help with hard, confusing, or unsafe problems.

4) Who is usually a safe helper?

Safe helpers are trusted adults like parents and teachers.

5) How might you feel after asking a safe adult for help?

Telling a safe adult can help you feel calmer and supported.

6) What should you do if the first person you ask does not listen or help?

You can keep asking different safe adults until you feel heard and safe.

7) Which is a big problem that needs help right away?

Big or unsafe problems need help from an adult right away.

8) Which feeling might tell you it is time to ask for help?

Scared or stuck feelings can be a signal to ask a safe adult for help.

9) What is one strong sentence you can use?

Clear words like "I need help" tell adults what you need.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

The goal is to help you ask safe adults for help when you need it.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

Next time I will practise…

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