Consideration
Thinking about the needs of others
by Philippa Rae
Suitable for Whole School (Sec)
Aims
To consider how we can show consideration to others.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (Consideration) and the means to display them.
Assembly
- Show Slide 1.
Many people live busy lives. Too often, we are rushing from one thing to another, so our focus is on what we need to do next. This can make us less aware of the impact that our actions are having on others or on our environment. - Show Slide 2.
It can be helpful to stop and think, and remind ourselves about the importance of thinking of others. By being more sensitive to the people around us, we make our relationships with others more positive. - Show Slide 3.
When we think about others before we decide to act, it is called consideration. We usually think about people we know, but we can also show consideration to people we haven’t met before. - Show Slide 4.
Here are some of the different ways in which we can show consideration.
Read out the list on the slide.
Explain that we are now going to explore each way of showing consideration. - Show Slide 5.
Ask the students to consider how they have helped others. (You may wish to ask them to discuss this in groups or simply consider it for themselves.)
Go through the examples on the slide. - Ask the students, ‘Do you know what being sympathetic means?’ (You may wish to ask them to discuss this in groups or simply consider it for themselves.)
Show Slide 6 and read out the definition. - Show Slide 7.
Ask the students to consider times when they have been kind and sympathetic, or when someone has acted in this way towards them.
Pause to allow time for thought. - Show Slide 8.
Go through the possible ways in which we might be kind and sympathetic. (You may wish to ask the students to discuss this in groups or simply consider it for themselves.) - Show Slide 9.
Ask the students to think of times when they have been caring.
Go through the examples on the slide. - Ask the students to consider how they have been thoughtful towards others.
Show Slide 10.
Go through the examples on the slide. - Ask the students, ‘Why do you think being trustworthy is part of being considerate?’ (You may wish to ask the students to discuss this in groups or simply consider it for themselves.)
Show Slide 11.
Go through the examples on the slide. - Point out that when we are polite, we are showing respect for another person. It can be difficult if someone is not behaving in the same way as we are.
Show Slide 12.
Go through the examples on the slide. - Being appreciative means recognizing someone else’s good qualities, or thanking them for the things that they do for us.
Show Slide 13.
Go through the examples on the slide. - Ask the students to look around them - can they think of reasons why they appreciate different people in the room? Suggest that they tell some of these people later in the day.
Time for reflection
We all need to be considerate to people we know. We need to pause rather than rushing by or in.
Ask the students to think about a time when someone was unkind to them or did something thoughtless. How did it make them feel?
Pause to allow time for thought.
Ask them to think about whether they want to make other people feel the same way.
Pause to allow time for thought.
Read out the Golden Rule: ‘Treat others as you would like others to treat you.’
Ask the students what they think this might mean.
Pause to allow time for thought.
When we show consideration to others, we make them feel better, just as when others show consideration to us, we feel better.
Being considerate doesn’t always involve doing something big; little everyday things can make all the difference.
Prayer
Dear God,
Please help us to be more considerate to the people we meet.
Please help us to make the world a better, kinder place by our actions.
Please help us to appreciate the importance of each person in this world.
Amen.
Song/music
‘Be a light’ by Thomas Rhett, available at: https://youtu.be/8JcwNJj-pWY (3.33 minutes long)
