A rule tells us what to do, or what not to do. We have rules at home, at school and on the playground. Let's find out why.
Key idea
Rules help keep us safe, help us be fair and help us get along.
Why it works
Think about a game with no rules. Everyone wants the ball at once, and nobody knows who wins. Rules like "take turns" make the game fair, so it is fun for everyone. A traffic light is a rule, too: red means stop and green means go, so cars and people do not bump into each other.
Common mistake
Some children think rules are only there to get them in trouble. Ask: "What would happen without this rule?" Without "take turns," some children would never get a turn. Rules protect everyone, and that includes you.
For the grown-up: Make a short list of family rules together and talk about the reason for each one. Children follow rules more easily when they know why.