The children’s book Sushi the Cat addresses respect and friendship. The story of Ella, an American girl, and Sushi, a Japanese cat, highlights the importance of understanding, sharing, and companionship. Sushi the Cat teaches young readers and listeners how to treat others. When we show respect to others, we open the way to make new friends.
TEACHING RESPECT FOR OTHERS
Like Ella in Sushi the Cat, everyone can learn how to be kind to others and help them to feel loved, valued, and appreciated. When we share, we show respect for others. The following exercises are designed for use at home or in the classroom to help children successfully develop friendships with others. These activities reinforce lessons of respect and explore new ways to show others that we care about them through our actions.
TALKING ABOUT RESPECT FOR OTHERS
- What did Ella do to show respect to Sushi?
- How do you think it made Sushi feel that Ella cared so much?
- Have you ever done a good deed for someone else? How did it make them feel? How did it make you feel?
- What is one specific way you can show kindness and appreciation to someone in your family or someone at school?
SHOWING RESPECT FOR OTHERS
Think of someone who could be a new friend. This person could be someone in your family, someone at school, or someone in your neighborhood. Set the timer for one minute and list all the ways you could be kind to this person and show them respect. Plan a time to meet this new person, and choose one way to encourage them.
CREATING RESPECT FOR OTHERS ARTWORK
1. Make a poster or collage about how to show respect to others. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Listen to others
- Play fair
- Use good manners
- Share
- Wait your turn
2. With a small group of children, create a collaborative painting with scenes of showing respect to others. Use watercolor or acrylic paints on a large sheet of butcher paper. Let each child talk about his or her contribution to the work. Display the collaborative painting in a prominent
location to remind children to show respect to everyone.
WRITING A RESPECT FOR OTHERS STORY
Write your own story about how you are learning to show respect for others by caring for them and putting their needs above your own.
