Please & Thank You Tool

Concept: The words “please” and “thank you” are words of kindness and civility. The objective of The Please & Thank You Tool is to add these words to our everyday awareness and vocabulary. When this happens, the quality and tone of our voices, body language, and basic attitudes change, and we develop more respect for ourselves and for others. By consciously softening the intention of our requests or invitations we create an atmosphere of kindness, and model what we would like to receive from others. Using these words habitually has the power to raise the bar on kindness and consideration throughout the school community.

Hand Gesture: Show your student how to hold an imaginary key and turn it in an imaginary lock. This helps children remember that these magic words are the “keys” to open up communication and make a heartfelt connection to others. The tagline is: “I treat others with kindness and appreciation.”

Suggestions on how to introduce the tool to your students:

• Show your students a real lock and key and explain why it is used to represent the Please & Thank You Tool. Have them practice the Please and Thank You gesture.

• Why do you think Please and Thank You are called magic words?

• What’s so important about saying “please” or “thank you”?

• Thumbs up if you liked to be bossed around?

• How does it feel if you are demanded or ordered to do something?

• When someone asks us to do something and starts or ends with “please” or “thank you,” we feel that they are being kind, not forcing us, or bossing us around. It also feels like they appreciate and respect us.

• Think about what makes you feel thankful. Ask for some responses. Another part of this tool is to think about and remember what you are thankful for.

Practice and implementation- choose from the following:

• Use the words “please” and “thank you” on a regular basis. Notice how it impacts your own attitude and how it impacts the student you address.

• As students are dismissed, thank each child for something they did during the day.

• Offer gratitude when children use the Please and Thank You Tool (e.g., Stop the class and say, “I’d like to appreciate Sam for using his Please and Thank You tool today.)

• Invite your students to take a moment (Time-In) to think of something they are grateful for every day as a regular practice.