# Lesson 219: Following rules

❤️ SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (40 Lessons) • 🟡 C. Making Good Choices

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## Objective

I can explain why rules are important and follow simple rules at home, at school, and on the playground, even when I do not feel like it.

## Materials

- Plain paper or a notebook page
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Optional: stickers or little stars to mark rules the child followed

## Mini-lesson — Why do we have rules?

Rules are agreements about how we act in a place. Rules help everyone be safe, fair, and calm.

Where do we find rules?

- At home (for example: tidy up toys, use indoor voices).
- At school (for example: raise your hand, walk in the hall).
- On the playground (for example: take turns, no pushing).

Rules keep us safe and fair

- Rules like "walk, do not run" help bodies stay safer.
- Rules like "take turns" help games feel fair.
- Rules like "use kind words" protect feelings.

Following rules even when it is hard

- Sometimes we feel like running, shouting, or pushing in line.
- We can pause, remember the rule, and choose to follow it.
- This shows self-control and respect for others.

Simple steps for following rules

- 1. Look and listen to the adult or sign.
- 2. Say the rule quietly in your head.
- 3. Do the rule with your body and words.
- 4. Notice how it feels when things stay safe and calm.

When we forget a rule

- Everyone makes mistakes sometimes.
- We can stop, say sorry if needed, and try again.
- We can ask an adult to help us remember the rule next time.

Adults can connect this lesson to the previous one by asking, "What are the consequences when we follow rules?" and "What happens when we ignore rules?"

Picture strip: "Stop, think, follow the rule"

## Guided Practice — Rule-following steps

You and an adult will practise three simple steps for following rules in real situations.

1. On a notebook page, draw a big traffic light with three circles: red, yellow, and green.
2. Next to the red circle, the adult helps you write or trace: "Stop and look."
3. Next to the yellow circle, write or trace: "Think about the rule."
4. Next to the green circle, write or trace: "Follow the rule."
5. Think of one rule at home, one at school, and one on the playground. For each rule, point to red, yellow, and green and say the steps aloud.
6. Act out a short scene with the adult: the adult says a rule (for example, "We walk in the hall"), and you show the three steps: looking, thinking, and following.

Tracing Pad
Lines
Trace
Pen

## Practice — Rules in my day

Use this practice to help your child notice rules they already follow and why those rules matter.

1. On a new page, draw three boxes and label them: "Morning", "School", and "Playtime".
2. In the Morning box, the child draws or writes one rule they follow (for example, brushing teeth, getting dressed, eating breakfast at the table).
3. In the School box, add a school rule (for example, raising a hand, using quiet voices in the library).
4. In the Playtime box, add a playground or park rule (for example, taking turns on the slide, no pushing).
5. Under each box, help the child finish the sentence: "This rule helps because…" and write a few simple words (for example, "keeps us safe", "keeps it fair").
6. Choose one rule from the page that is still tricky to follow. Talk about one small idea to make it easier (for example, a picture reminder or adult support).

## Quick Check — Following rules

Answer each question about rules and why we follow them.

1) What is a rule?

A random idea that changes every minute. An agreed way to act that helps keep things safe and fair. Something only grown-ups need to follow.
Rules are agreed ways of acting that help everyone.

2) Which is a good rule for a hallway at school?

"Walk with calm feet." "Run as fast as you can." "Push people out of your way."
Walking helps keep bodies safer in the hallway.

3) Why do we have rules like "take turns" in games?

So one person can have all the turns. So games always end quickly. So the game feels fair and everyone gets a chance.
Taking turns makes games fair for everyone.

4) Your teacher says the rule is "Raise your hand before speaking". What should you do?

Shout out whenever you want. Raise your hand and wait to be called on. Talk over other children.
Following the rule keeps the classroom calmer and fairer.

5) Which sentence shows you are thinking about a rule before you act?

"The rule says walk, so I will walk." "I will just do what I want." "Rules do not matter to me."
You are using self-control to follow the rule.

6) You forget a rule and run inside. What is a good next step?

Keep running and ignore it. Blame someone else for your running. Stop, say sorry if needed, and go back to walking.
We can fix mistakes and try again to follow the rule.

7) A friend wants to break a rule on the playground by pushing in line. What is a good choice?

Push with them so you are not left out. Say, "Let us follow the rule and wait our turn." Shout at them and call them names.
You are reminding your friend to follow the rule kindly.

8) Which is a home rule that helps your family?

"Put toys away after playing." "Throw things on the floor." "Never listen to anyone."
Putting toys away keeps the home safer and tidier.

9) When should you ask an adult about rules?

Only when you want to change the rules for fun. Never. You must guess all rules by yourself. When you are not sure what the rule is or why it matters.
Adults can explain rules and why they are important.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

To show that rules are not important. To learn why rules matter and to follow them to keep everyone safe and fair. To see how many rules we can break.
The goal is to understand and follow rules that help everyone.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student can say in simple words what a rule is and why we have rules. Student can name at least one rule at home, at school, and at playtime. Student can explain how following a rule helps keep things safe or fair. Student can describe what to do after forgetting a rule (stop, fix, try again). Student knows they can ask an adult when they are unsure about a rule.

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I understand why rules matter and I can follow them most of the time. 🙂 I follow some rules, but I still need practice. 😅 Following rules is still tricky for me.

#### Next time I will practise…

Stopping to look and listen to the rule Thinking about why the rule helps Following the rule even when I want to do something else
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