Act like you are a stubborn 5-year-old
Role-play being a stubborn five-year-old with a partner to practice empathy, communication, and problem-solving through guided scenarios and respectful negotiation.
Step-by-step guide to act like a stubborn 5-year-old
Step 1
Find a partner.
Step 2
Sit facing each other in a comfy space.
Step 3
Decide who will be the stubborn five-year-old first.
Step 4
Use the paper and pen to write or draw three short scenario cards.
Step 5
Fold each scenario card and place them into a small pile.
Step 6
Set the timer for 2 minutes.
Step 7
The helper draws one scenario card and reads it aloud.
Step 8
Start the timer.
Step 9
The child playing the stubborn five-year-old acts stubborn until the timer stops.
Step 10
When the timer rings the helper says one sentence that shows empathy (for example "I see you are upset because...").
Step 11
The helper offers one calm solution idea for the problem.
Step 12
The stubborn child says yes or no to the helper's idea.
Step 13
Switch roles and repeat steps 6 to 12 until each person has been the stubborn child twice.
Step 14
Share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Help!?
What can we use instead of paper, a pen, or the timer if we can't find them?
Use sticky notes, index cards, or a phone/tablet drawing or notes app to make the three scenario cards from step 4, and use a phone timer, kitchen egg timer, or sing a 2-minute song to time the acting in step 8.
What should we do if the stubborn child won't stay in character or the timer keeps getting interrupted?
If the child won't stay in role during step 9, have the helper model a short 20–30 second example from step 8, shorten the timer to 30–60 seconds, or give simple sentence prompts taken from the scenario card to guide the acting.
How can we adapt the activity for younger children or older kids?
For younger children, draw picture-only scenario cards in step 4, sit closer and use a 30–60 second timer for step 8 with a parent helper, and for older kids increase the timer to 3–4 minutes, write more complex scenarios in step 4, and ask the helper to offer two calm solution ideas after the empathy sentence in step 10.
How can we make the activity more fun or shareable?
Personalize and extend the activity by decorating and folding the scenario cards from step 5, adding simple props or costumes for the stubborn role in step 9, keeping a yes/no tally after each round to discuss outcomes, and recording a favorite round to share as your finished creation on DIY.org.
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Facts about social-emotional learning for kids
🎭 Pretend play lets kids try out different roles and is one of the best ways to practice social skills.
🧠 Around ages 4–5 many children develop 'theory of mind'—the ability to understand others' thoughts—and role-play strengthens it.
🤝 Practicing negotiation and turn-taking in play helps preschoolers cooperate more and argue less.
⏱️ Short, playful role-play sessions (about 10–15 minutes) usually fit a five-year-old's attention span best.
🗣️ Using simple 'I feel...' statements during role-play helps kids name emotions and grow empathy.
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