Social awareness scenarios for kids: 32 situations to practise

Echoes of the Coach

Ages 6–14

During PE, your teammates repeat what the coach says in a mocking tone. The coach hasn’t noticed. You’re not sure if it’s funny or rude. What do you do?

Also practises: relationship skills, confidence, resilience

When Laughter Hurts

Ages 6–14

During group work, one classmate makes a loud, rude comment about someone’s idea. The group laughs. What do you do?

Also practises: courage, empathy, relationship skills

Feeling a little lonely

Ages 8–14

You've been increasingly ignored by more and more of your friends. You don't know why. What do you do?

Also practises: self-control, self-awareness, optimism

Group Text Turns into Teasing Trouble

Ages 8–14

Your classmates start a group text teasing someone who’s not in the group. At first it seems like a joke, but it keeps going. You’re in the chat. What do you do?

Also practises: empathy, relationship skills, online safety

Recess Dare

Ages 8–14

At recess, a group dares you to ring the fire bell. You know it's wrong, but they are all pressuring you. They say you’re ‘too scared’ to do it. What do you do?

Also practises: self-control, focus, responsibility

Interrupted conversations

Ages 6–10

Your parents are talking on the phone, and you really want to tell them something exciting. What’s the best way to handle it?

Also practises: focus, self-control

Swapped Goody Bags

Ages 6–10

You accidentally grabbed your friend’s birthday goody bag instead of yours. Theirs had something special in it that you like. What do you do?

Also practises: courage, empathy, integrity

When Friends Dare You to Be Mean

Ages 6–10

At recess, a friend dares you to say something mean to another student “as a joke.” A few others are watching. What do you do?

Also practises: empathy, integrity

Friend Wants to Borrow New Toy After Last Time's Accident

Ages 6–12

Your friend asks to play with your new toy, but the last time they broke one. They promise to be careful. What do you do?

Also practises: relationship skills, courage, empathy

Balancing Secrets and Safety

Ages 6–14

A friend shares something serious with you at recess and asks you not to tell anyone. Later, it seems like they might need help. What do you do?

Also practises: relationship skills, courage, empathy

Classmate poker!

Ages 6–14

Your classmate keeps poking others with a pencil and making jokes during quiet time. He pokes someone and they yell "ouch". The teacher asks if anyone saw what happened. What do you do?

Also practises: self-control, responsibility

Friend Chooses Who to Sit With in Lunch Line

Ages 6–14

In the cafeteria line, your friend says he only wants to hang out with certain kids. Another student standing nearby hears and looks hurt. What do you do?

Also practises: empathy, relationship skills, courage

Friends in a Tiff

Ages 6–14

Two of your friends stop talking and want you to 'choose sides.' What do you do?

Also practises: relationship skills, courage, empathy

Juice Spill Giggles

Ages 6–14

Someone apologises quickly after spilling juice all over your artwork, but keeps laughing about it later. What do you do?

Also practises: confidence, resilience, self-control

Left Out of Sleepover

Ages 6–14

You hear your classmates talking about a weekend sleepover but you are not invited. What do you do?

Also practises: relationship skills, courage, empathy

Meal was.....

Ages 6–14

You’re having dinner at your friend’s house. Their parent serves food that you really don’t like, but everyone else is eating and saying how good it is. Your friend’s mum looks at you and asks, “Do you like it?”

Also practises: integrity, courage

The Participation Medal

Ages 6–14

At a fun family race, you don’t win a medal — but your little brother does. You feel jealous when everyone cheers for him. How should you respond?

Also practises: self-awareness, optimism, self-control

When Mistakes Make Us Giggle

Ages 6–14

In maths class, your teacher asks for an answer and you give the wrong one. Some of your friends giggle behind you. What do you do?

Also practises: self-control, focus, responsibility

Why Won’t My Friend Talk?

Ages 6–14

Your best friend hasn’t spoken to you all day and seems upset. You didn’t do anything wrong — at least you think you didn’t. What do you do?

Also practises: empathy, relationship skills, integrity

Winning is winning?

Ages 8–12

You win a backyard race and can't help but keep bragging. Your friend remains quiet for a while and says nothing. What do you do?

Also practises: empathy, relationship skills, self-control

Cool Kids Club Leaves Classmates Feeling Left Out

Ages 8–14

Someone tells you that there is a 'cool kids' chat and only certain people are a part of it. You haven't been included. You feel left out. What do you do?

Also practises: relationship skills, belonging, self-control

Leadership troubles

Ages 8–14

You and two others are assigned as group leaders. One person tries to take over everything. You’re not sure how to speak up. What do you do?

Also practises: courage, empathy, self-control

Playground nasty

Ages 8–14

A classmate teases you in front of others and says you always get things wrong. Your friends are watching how you respond. Some giggle, others look concerned. What do you do?

Also practises: confidence, courage

A New Start?

Ages 10–14

You’ve just moved to a new school where everyone already seems to have their own group.

On your first week, a friendly group invites you to sit with them at lunch. You’re excited — until one of them starts teasing another student who walks past.

Everyone laughs, then one turns to you and says,

“You’re one of us now, right? We don’t talk to people like that.”

The group waits for your reaction — smiling, testing you.

Your heart races. You’ve wanted to belong for so long, but not like this.

What do you do?

Also practises: integrity, courage, confidence

Answers Shared in Group Chat Before Big Test

Ages 10–14

Before a big test, someone shares answers in a group chat. You see many classmates thanking them. What do you do?

Also practises: courage, integrity, self-control

Broken Window

Ages 10–14

After school, a few classmates dare each other to throw stones at the old gym windows.

You’re there when one of them actually does — the glass shatters loudly.

Everyone freezes.

The next morning, the principal announces over the PA that whoever’s responsible needs to come forward — or the whole grade will lose their weekend excursion.

Later, one of the boys pulls you aside and whispers,

“You didn’t see anything, right? We’re all in this together.”

You know exactly who did it. You also know it’s not fair for everyone else to be punished.

What do you do?

Also practises: courage, responsibility

Mystery Text

Ages 10–14

You get a message from an unknown username saying they know you from school. They want to chat privately. What do you do?

Also practises: self-control, focus, online safety

Target Shifter

Ages 10–14

You spoke up last week when a group started teasing another student.

Since then, the group has stopped talking to you — and now they’re posting inside jokes online that seem aimed at you.

One of your old friends messages privately:

“They’re just joking — don’t make it worse. Maybe say sorry, even if you didn’t do anything.”

You feel torn — you did the right thing, but now you’re the one being left out.

What do you do?

Also practises: empathy, courage, resilience, belonging

Unexpected Lunch Photo Shared with Friends

Ages 10–14

A student takes your photo while you're eating and shares it on a group story without asking. Others start commenting. What do you do?

Also practises: empathy, kindness, online safety

Clothes liner

Ages 12–14

Someone starts a group chat making fun of a classmate’s clothes.

A few friends you like are in the chat too — and one of them adds you.

You want to leave, but you also don’t want to look boring or self-righteous.

Then someone posts a photo of one of your mates in clothes and everyone starts laughing.

What do you do?

Also practises: online safety, integrity, courage, kindness

Friends Tease You for Mentoring Young Student

Ages 12–14

You're asked to mentor a younger student at school, but your friends tease you about 'wasting time with a baby.' You want to help but feel embarrassed. What do you do?

Also practises: empathy, relationship skills, courage

Nickname?

Ages 12–14

Your new friends say your name is “too hard to pronounce” and start calling you by a nickname that isn’t really you.

At first it seems harmless, but now everyone uses it — even teachers.

You like being accepted, but it feels like you’re losing a part of who you are.

What do you do?

Also practises: confidence, integrity, belonging