10 Thinking from Another Perspective
/10 Thinking from Another Perspective
*Chen is a ten-year-old boy, and at school, his class was going to discuss the theme “How can everyone enjoy school life more?”
/*Chen is a ten-year-old boy, and at school, his class was going to discuss the theme “How can everyone enjoy school life more?”
The teacher said, “When gathering everyone’s ideas, it’s important to understand others’ perspectives and thoughts.
/The teacher said, “When gathering everyone’s ideas, it’s important to understand others’ perspectives and thoughts.
That leads to new discoveries and ideas.”
/That leads to new discoveries and ideas.”
*Chen thought, “My idea is to make lunchtime longer so we can play more!”
/*Chen thought, “My idea is to make lunchtime longer so we can play more!”
When he presented his idea to the class, some students said, “That’s a great idea!”
/When he presented his idea to the class, some students said, “That’s a great idea!”
But others said, “If playtime increases, study time will decrease, and that’s a problem.”
/But others said, “If playtime increases, study time will decrease, and that’s a problem.”
At first, *Chen thought, “Why don’t they enjoy playing?”
/At first, *Chen thought, “Why don’t they enjoy playing?”
Then he paused and remembered the teacher’s words.
/Then he paused and remembered the teacher’s words.
“Maybe some kids like studying.
/“Maybe some kids like studying.
And maybe some kids aren’t good at playing,” he reconsidered.
/And maybe some kids aren’t good at playing,” he reconsidered.
That night, when he talked to his family, his older sister said,
/That night, when he talked to his family, his older sister said,
“*Chen, how about thinking of a way that everyone can enjoy?
/“*Chen, how about thinking of a way that everyone can enjoy?
Like creating a play area and a quiet area during lunch break.”
/Like creating a play area and a quiet area during lunch break.”
*Chen was struck by the idea.
/*Chen was struck by the idea.
“Oh! Instead of just one idea, I can think of ways that suit different kids!”
/“Oh! Instead of just one idea, I can think of ways that suit different kids!”
The next day, *Chen proposed to the class,
/The next day, *Chen proposed to the class,
“How about creating a play area for kids who want to play outside, and a relaxation area for kids who want to read or spend time quietly?”
/“How about creating a play area for kids who want to play outside, and a relaxation area for kids who want to read or spend time quietly?”
The class responded with, “Great idea!” and “That way, everyone can enjoy!”
/The class responded with, “Great idea!” and “That way, everyone can enjoy!”
After the discussion, *Chen said to the teacher,
/After the discussion, *Chen said to the teacher,
“Not just sharing my own opinion, but thinking from different perspectives brings better ideas!”
/“Not just sharing my own opinion, but thinking from different perspectives brings better ideas!”
The teacher smiled and replied,
/The teacher smiled and replied,
“That’s exactly right, *Chen. Please continue to value thinking about others.”
/“That’s exactly right, *Chen. Please continue to value thinking about others.”
From that experience, *Chen realized,
/From that experience, *Chen realized,
“Understanding others is the first step to making everyone happy.”
/“Understanding others is the first step to making everyone happy.”
After that, *Chen began thinking about others’ perspectives in many school situations,
/After that, *Chen began thinking about others’ perspectives in many school situations,
and was able to get along better with everyone.
/and was able to get along better with everyone.
Multiple Choice Review Questions
/Multiple Choice Review Questions
What was *Chen’s first idea?
/What was *Chen’s first idea?
a. To make lunchtime longer.
/a. To make lunchtime longer.
b. To reduce study time.
/b. To reduce study time.
c. To buy new playground equipment.
/c. To buy new playground equipment.
What was *Chen’s final proposal to the class?
/What was *Chen’s final proposal to the class?
a. To create a play area and a relaxation area.
/a. To create a play area and a relaxation area.
b. To have everyone run around during lunch break.
/b. To have everyone run around during lunch break.
c. To cancel lunch break.
/c. To cancel lunch break.
Let’s Think!
/Let’s Think!
How do you think *Chen felt when he started thinking about others’ perspectives?
/How do you think *Chen felt when he started thinking about others’ perspectives?
Also, what would you do if you were in a similar situation?
/Also, what would you do if you were in a similar situation?
In your school or community,
/In your school or community,
what ideas could help everyone be happy by thinking from different perspectives?
/what ideas could help everyone be happy by thinking from different perspectives?
Let’s talk about it with your friends and family.
/Let’s talk about it with your friends and family.
