Teach Nursery 2 Pupils the Power of Attitude through Stories, Play, and Practice

Teach Nursery 2 Learners What Attitude Means — and Why It Shapes Their Future

I still remember the look on Mariam’s face — a Nursery 2 learner in my first-ever classroom in Mushin. It was her first week, and every morning she arrived with folded arms and a pout that could melt a teacher’s patience. But by Week 4, everything changed. Not because I gave her more toys or called her “princess” (though I tried both). It changed when we began talking about attitude — not as a big adult word, but as something real and present in our everyday classroom life.

“Attitude,” I told them, “is how your face, your voice, and your heart behave — even when mummy says ‘No’ to ice cream.”

Nursery 2 is not too young for this. In fact, it’s the perfect stage to plant these seeds. These little ones are watching how we greet them, how we handle their mistakes, and how we speak about others. Their minds are mirrors, and before they can spell “attitude,” they’re already showing it.

In this week’s Civic Education lesson, I take my learners through real, everyday examples of good attitudes — not with stiff definitions, but through story time, mirror play, sand and pillow props, and discussions about how we act at home and in school. I show them that helping a classmate pick up crayons or saying “sorry” after pushing is more than behavior — it’s a choice that determines how high we grow in life.

I always tell my class, “Your attitude is like your school bag. If you carry the right one, it will help you go far.” And just like Mariam, many of them begin to stand taller, speak softer, and smile wider — all because they start seeing their attitude as something they can shape.

Let’s guide them there.

Subject: Civic Education

Class: Nursery 2
Term: Second Term
Week: 5
Topic: Attitude
Sub-topic: Examples of Good Attitude

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Age: 4–5 years

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Behavioral Objectives

By the end of the lesson, learners will be able to:

1. Say what attitude means in simple terms.

2. Mention examples of good attitudes at home and in school.

3. Act out one or two good attitudes through roleplay.

4. Recognize the rewards of good behavior.

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Key Vocabulary

• Attitude: The way you behave or act.

• Behaviour: What you do when someone talks to you.

• Altitude: How far you can go up or succeed in life.

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Previous Knowledge

Pupils have been introduced to Self Expression, where they learned how to say how they feel and what they want. This sets the stage for understanding how they behave.

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Entry Behaviour

Teacher leads a call-and-response chant:

• “Good attitude?” — “Yes, I have!”

• “Respect?” — “I show it!”

• “Hard work?” — “I try my best!”

Then the teacher shares a short personal story:

“When I was little like you, my teacher said I always helped my friends pack their toys. She called it kindness — and that was part of my attitude.”

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Teaching Methods

• Role Modelling

• Question & Answer

• Explanation

• Discussion

• Recitation

• Imitation

• Storytelling

• Dramatization

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Instructional Materials

• Mirror (for self-reflection activity)

• Pictures of children showing good/bad attitudes

• Toys (for sharing roleplay)

• Drawing book and crayons

• Pillow and sand (to demonstrate gentle vs rough behavior)

• Microphone (to boost self-expression)

• Water bottle (to show patience in waiting turns)

• Boxes (for roleplay games)

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Embedded Core Skills

• Emotional Intelligence

• Communication

• Respect for Others

• Decision-Making

• Empathy

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Lesson Content

What is Attitude?

Attitude is how you behave when something happens or when someone asks you to do something.

• If mummy says “It’s time for school” and you cry — that is your attitude.

• If you smile and say “Bye, mummy” — that is a better attitude.

Your attitude is like your school bag — carry the right one to go far.

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Examples of Good Attitude

Here are some examples the teacher will act out and let learners mimic:

1. Helping your friend pack toys.

2. Saying “thank you” when someone helps.

3. Saying “sorry” after bumping into someone.

4. Waiting your turn to speak.

5. Listening when your teacher is talking.

6. Sharing toys.

7. Keeping quiet during story time.

8. Saying “please” before asking.

9. Keeping your books clean.

10. Telling the truth when something goes wrong.

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Right Attitude Towards Work at School and Home

• Do your homework early.

• Greet your teachers and parents.

• Clean up after playing.

• Wait for your turn when playing.

• Speak politely and kindly.

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Rewards of Good Attitude vs Laziness

Teacher tells a story of two pupils:

“Tunde always helped in the class. One day, when visitors came, he was picked to welcome them and received a gift bag. Musa never cleaned his desk and always left his books on the floor. He didn’t get to meet the guests.”

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Presentation Steps

Step 1: Review Previous Topic (Conflict Resolution)

• Ask: “What do we do when our friend takes our toy?”

• Let them answer: “We talk, not fight!”

Step 2: Introduce New Topic – Attitude

• Use the mirror: “What do you see? Can you make a happy face? A sad face?”

• Discuss how faces show attitude.

Step 3: Learner Contributions

• Ask: “How do you feel when someone shares toys?”

• Let them act out how to show kindness and respect.

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Teacher and Learner Activities

Teacher:

• Uses real classroom events to show examples of good/bad attitude.

• Demonstrates what hard work looks like (arranging books, answering questions).

• Tells short stories to model honesty, kindness, and respect.

Learners:

• Repeat key phrases: “Attitude is how I behave.”

• Roleplay: Sharing toys, saying “sorry,” listening quietly.

• Recite: “I will show good attitude!”

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Class Activity Discussion – 10 FAQs

1. Q: What is attitude?
   A: It’s how I act or behave.

2. Q: Is sharing toys a good attitude?
   A: Yes.

3. Q: What should I say when someone helps me?
   A: “Thank you.”

4. Q: Should I lie if I break a toy?
   A: No, I should tell the truth.

5. Q: What do we say when we do something wrong?
   A: “I’m sorry.”

6. Q: What happens when we are respectful?
   A: People like and trust us.

7. Q: Should we fight over crayons?
   A: No. We take turns.

8. Q: What is a reward for helping others?
   A: A smile, praise, or even a gift!

9. Q: Is crying when it’s school time a good attitude?
   A: No. We should come happily.

10. Q: Who has the power to choose good attitude?
    A: Me!

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Evaluation Questions

Fill in the blanks:

1. ______ is how we behave.

2. Saying “please” is a ______ attitude.

3. We should always tell the ______.

4. We must be ______ to others.

5. Saying “thank you” shows ______.

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Assessment Questions (Short Answer)

1. What is attitude?

2. Give one example of good attitude at school.

3. Give one example of good attitude at home.

4. What should you say when someone gives you something?

5. Should we fight when someone annoys us?

6. What should you say if you make someone sad?

7. Is helping your teacher good or bad attitude?

8. What is the reward for good behavior?

9. Should we lie when we break something?

10. What kind of attitude do you want to show?

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Conclusion

• Teacher reviews the meaning of attitude.

• Pupils share their favorite good attitude.

• Pupils draw a happy face showing good attitude in their drawing books.

• Teacher marks work and gives feedback individually with encouraging words.