Role-playing

Where to begin

Role-playing is what makes any skill stick. Role-playing allows you and your child to practice scenarious over and over again until they have mastered the skill and how they would respond. Role-playing allows a parent to teach their child how they should act and what is expected of them. Children that Role-play or practice frequently are more able to better handle situations, including ones they have never encountered before, and deal with those situations in the best way.

Here is what to do when Role-playing

1. Watch the Role-playing video and become familiar with the elements of Role-playing.
2. Print out the Steps of Role-playing and place it somewhere for easy reference.
3. Visit the Fun Activities section section and choose a game or activity that you think will be successful with your children as you implement the skill.
4. During a neutral time, introduce your children to Role-playing and discuss how and why you’re going to use Role-playing and ask for their help.
5. Begin practicing Role-playing with simple scenarios. Download our Role-playing scenarios for kids and Role-playing scenarios for teens if you need ideas.
6. Many children, especially teens, don’t feel comfortable Role-playing, so keep it fun and offer them Effective Praise for any effort.
7. Offer a small reward once a child has finished Role-playing. Often offering a small reward for Role-playing will encourage children to practice in the future as they feel they are getting something out of it. A reward does not need to be offered every time a child Role-plays, but rewards are especially helpful in the beginning.

Suggestions for parents

Remain calm and know your limits. If you or your child is getting frustrated, it’s ok to take a break and come back when you have both calmed down. Role-playing when upset or angry will just make both you and your child hate Role-playing.

Your child will be almost as silly as you are. The more silly you make Role-playing the more it will put your child at ease and the more they will like Role-playing.

As you use Role-playings dialogues and they become a part of everyday life, you’ll notice your children will begin Role-playing situations without your prompting.

Start by Role-playing easy things before moving onto harder things. We have a list of easy, medium and difficult topics to help Role-playing. Download the Role-playing scenario for kids and Role-playing scenario for teens.

Role-playing at a neutral time is a great way to deal with conflict resolution.

Remember to download the Steps of Role-Playing and hang it somewhere visible for easy reference.