Perspective-Taking + Communciation Styles | Baamboozle - Baamboozle

Scenario: Your friend always talks over you when you're telling a story. Question: What could you say to set a boundary in a respectful way?

You could say, “I’d like to finish what I was saying first. Then I want to hear your story too.”

Scenario: Your group messes up a step in a science experiment, and you yell, “You guys always ruin everything!” Question: How might that affect your team? What’s a more respectful way to speak?

They might feel blamed and upset. A better choice: “Let’s figure out what went wrong so we can fix it together.”

Scenario: You start explaining your favorite YouTube channel in detail to a classmate who’s clearly trying to finish their homework. Question: How might they feel? What could you do instead?

They might feel distracted or annoyed. You could say, “Can I tell you about this later when you’re done?”

Scenario: You’re paired with someone new for a partner reading assignment. You say, “What books do you usually like to read?” Question: How might this help your partner feel? Why is this a good communication choice?

They might feel welcomed or relaxed. It shows you’re friendly and trying to connect.

Scenario: A classmate asks, “What page are we on?” and you say, “Wow, maybe you should actually pay attention.” Question: How might they feel? What’s a more helpful response?

They might feel embarrassed or upset. A better response: “We’re on page 12.”

Scenario: A classmate shows you their art and you say, “That doesn’t even look like a dog.” Question: How might that make them feel? How could you respond with kindness?

They might feel embarrassed or hurt. A kinder way would be, “Cool! What kind of dog is it? I like the colors.”

Scenario: Someone keeps calling you a nickname you don’t like. You don’t say anything. Question: How might staying quiet affect you? What’s an assertive thing you could say?

You might feel annoyed or disrespected. You could say, “I don’t like that nickname. Please call me by my real name.”

Scenario: Your group keeps ignoring your ideas during a science project. Question: How could you use assertive communication to get their attention?

You could say, “I’d like to share my idea too, and I think it might help us.”

Scenario: You lose a game of kickball and shout, “That’s not fair! You all cheated!” Question: How might your classmates react? What could you do instead?

They might feel frustrated or not want to play with you. Instead, you could say, “I’m upset we lost, but good game.”

Scenario: You’re super excited about your new Pokémon cards and start listing every one to your school counselor, even though they’re in the middle of helping another student. Question: How might the counselor feel? What would be a better

They might feel overwhelmed or distracted. A better choice would be to wait and ask, “Can I tell you something cool when you're not busy?”

Scenario: A classmate shows you their painting and asks what you think. You say, “It’s really messy.” Question: How might that make them feel? How could you give feedback more kindly?

They might feel discouraged. You could say, “It’s colorful! Maybe you could try adding more detail.”

Scenario: Someone skips you in the four-square line again, and you just step back quietly. Question: How might this affect you over time? What’s something you could say?

You might feel ignored or upset. You could say, “Hey, I was next in line. Please don’t skip me.”

Scenario: Your friend keeps texting you after you said you need to do homework. Question: What could you say to set a boundary in an assertive way?

You could say, “I want to talk, but I really need to finish my homework first. Can we text later?”

Scenario: Your classmate wears a bright orange shirt. You say, “That shirt is so weird.” Question: How might they feel? What’s a more respectful way to give an opinion?

They might feel hurt or embarrassed. A better way would be to say nothing, or say something neutral like, “That’s a really bright color!”

Scenario: You’re at a birthday party and don’t know many people. You turn to someone and say, “Do you like the cake?” Question: How might that make the person feel? Why is small talk helpful in new situations?

They might feel more comfortable and willing to chat. Small talk helps break the ice and build connections.

Scenario: You’re upset someone took a toy you were using. You yell, “Give it back! You’re so mean!” Question: How might the other person feel? What’s a better way to get the toy back?

They might feel attacked and not want to share. A better way: “I was using that toy. Can I please have it back when you're done?”

Scenario: Your team isn’t following the game rules, but you don’t say anything because you don’t want to upset anyone. Question: What might happen if you stay quiet? How could being assertive help?

The game might not be fun or fair. Being assertive can help everyone play by the same rules.

Scenario: You love space and talk about it for five minutes straight to a kid who just said, “I don’t really care about planets.” Question: How might they feel? What could you say or do next?

They might feel bored or overwhelmed. You could say, “Oops! What do you like to talk about?”

Scenario: You’re trying to concentrate on your work, but the person next to you keeps talking. Question: How could you ask them to be quiet using an assertive style?

You could say, “I’m trying to focus on my work. Can we talk later?”

Scenario: Your friend drops their lunch tray, and you say, “Wow, nice job!” Question: How might your friend feel? What’s a more supportive thing to say?

They might feel embarrassed or like you’re making fun of them. A better thing to say might be, “Are you okay? That stinks.”

Scenario: During a serious moment in class, you try to joke around and make sarcastic comments. Question: How might your classmates or teacher feel? When might humor be more appropriate?

They might feel annoyed or think you’re not taking things seriously. Humor is better for break times or casual conversations.

Scenario: You’re stuck in a long line at a field trip museum. You don’t know the kid behind you very well. Question: What could you say to start a friendly conversation?

You could say, “Have you ever been to this museum before?” or “What was your favorite exhibit so far?”

Scenario: You keep talking to your friend about your weekend, but they haven’t said anything back in a while. Question: How might they be feeling? What could you do to check in?

They might feel bored or left out. You could ask, “Am I talking too much? What did you do this weekend?”

Scenario: Someone accidentally bumps you in line. You turn and yell, “What’s your problem?!” Question: What might the other person think or feel? What’s a better choice?

They might feel confused or scared, especially if it was an accident. A better choice: “Hey, please be careful next time.”

Scenario: Someone keeps taking your turn in a game. Question: How can you respond assertively, and how might that help the situation?

You could say, “I’d like my turn now. We’re all supposed to take turns.” This helps solve the problem without being mean.

Scenario: You start talking a lot about Roblox to a classmate during a spelling test. Question: How might your classmate feel? What might the teacher think?

The classmate might feel distracted or annoyed. The teacher might think you’re not being respectful of the test time.

Scenario: You don’t like the plan your group made, but you say nothing and just go along with it. Question: How might this affect your feelings and the project?

You might feel frustrated or unheard. The project might miss out on your good ideas.

Scenario: A classmate brings in a homemade lunch and you say, “That looks gross.” Question: How might your words affect your classmate? What’s a kinder way to show curiosity?

They might feel embarrassed or sad. A kinder way would be, “What kind of food is that? I’ve never seen it before.”

Scenario: You sit with a new group at lunch and say, “What’s your favorite movie?” Question: How might the other students feel about this kind of communication?

They might feel included, welcomed, and more willing to talk with you.

Scenario: Your teacher reminds you (again) to write your name on your paper. You say, “Wow, thanks, I never would’ve remembered that,” in a sarcastic tone. Question: How might your teacher feel hearing that? What would be a more respectfu

The teacher might feel disrespected or annoyed. A more respectful response would be, “Oops, thanks for the reminder.”

Scenario: You’re talking about your favorite video game and notice the other person keeps looking away and not answering. Question: What might they be feeling? What should you do?

They might be bored or not interested. You could ask, “Do you want to keep talking about this or something else?”

Scenario: You’re in a group project and someone is doing all the talking. You want to share your idea. Question: How could you speak up assertively?

You could say, “I have an idea I’d like to share too.” This shows confidence without being rude.

Scenario: A kid you don’t know bumps into you at the park, and you shout, “Watch where you’re going, dummy!” Question: How might that kid feel? What might be a better way to handle it?

They might feel scared or upset. A better way would be to say, “Hey, that hurt. Please be careful.”

Scenario: Your friend draws a picture and asks what you think. You say, “It looks weird.” Question: How might your friend feel? Is there a kinder way to be honest?

Your friend might feel hurt. A kinder way would be, “It’s creative! Maybe you could add more color.”

Scenario: Someone keeps borrowing your colored pencils without asking, but you just let them. Question: How might this communication style (passive) affect you and the other person?

You might feel frustrated or ignored, and the other person might not realize they’re bothering you because you didn’t say anything.

Scenario: You’re sitting next to a kid you don’t know in the waiting room. You say, “Hi, do you like Pokémon?” Question: What might this kind of small talk help with?

It might help start a friendly conversation and make both of you feel less nervous or bored.

Scenario: During a class discussion, a student gives a wrong answer. You say, “Oh yeah, great answer,” with an eye roll. Question: How might that student feel? How would the teacher feel?

The student might feel embarrassed or hurt. The teacher might think you’re being disrespectful or unkind.

Scenario: You tell your teacher all about Five Nights at Freddy’s—including scary plot details—while she’s trying to get the class started. Question: How might your teacher feel in that moment?

She might feel confused, uncomfortable, or distracted because she doesn’t know much about the game or isn’t interested in scary things right then.

Scenario: You're super excited about the new Minecraft movie. At recess, you start telling another kid who also loves Minecraft every detail you know. Question: How might that kid feel when you talk a lot about Minecraft?

They might feel excited and happy because they like the same thing and enjoy the conversation.

Scenario: You are in line for lunch, and someone cuts in front of you. Question: How would someone feel if you said in an assertive voice, “Hey, I was next. Can you please wait your turn?” How might they feel if you said in an aggressive

Assertive: They might understand they made a mistake and feel okay about fixing it. Aggressive: They might feel scared, angry, or embarrassed, and the situatio