Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before this lesson, prepare picture cards showing children in various situations where an apology is needed (e.g., bumping into someone, accidentally taking a toy). The central idea for pupils to grasp is that saying “I am sorry” helps to make friends feel better after a mistake. Successful learning will be observed when pupils can verbally say “I am sorry” and demonstrate the appropriate action in simple role-play scenarios.

Class: Pre-School Level 2
Term: First Term
Week: 4
Age: 3 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Social Habits
Curriculum Theme: Social Habits
Previous Lesson: Simple Greetings and Polite Words
Topic: SIMPLE COURTESY: SAYING I AM SORRY
Subject Matter: Simple Courtesy: Saying “I Am Sorry”

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

Identify simple situations where they need to say “I am sorry.”
Mention the phrase “I am sorry” when prompted.

Affective Domain

Show willingness to say “I am sorry” after making a mistake.
Appreciate the importance of being kind to others.

Psychomotor Domain

Demonstrate how to say “I am sorry” with appropriate gestures.
Participate in simple role-play scenarios involving apologies.

Interact kindly with classmates during activities.
Take turns during role-play.

Reference Materials

NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 2
Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources

Instructional Materials

Charts showing children saying “I am sorry”
Posters depicting various scenarios requiring an apology (e.g., bumping, spilling)
Picture cards of happy and sad faces
Puppets or dolls for role-play
Audio device for music/songs

Rationale for the Lesson

Learning to say “I am sorry” is a fundamental social skill for 3-year-olds. It helps them understand the impact of their actions on others, fosters empathy, and promotes positive interactions with peers and adults. This lesson equips children with the language and understanding to navigate social situations gracefully, building a foundation for respectful relationships.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can greet others, say “please” and “thank you,” and understand simple instructions.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Simple Courtesy: Saying “I Am Sorry”

What is “I am sorry”?

“I am sorry” is what we say when we make a mistake or accidentally hurt someone’s feelings or body.
It means we didn’t mean to do it, and we want to make things better.
It helps our friends feel better and shows we care.

When do we say “I am sorry”?

If you accidentally step on your friend’s foot.
If you bump into someone by mistake.
If you take something from a friend without asking.
If you accidentally spill water or break something.

How to say “I am sorry”:

Look at the person.
Say “I am sorry” clearly.
You can also say “I am sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

Key Words

Sorry – feeling bad about a mistake.
Mistake – something done wrong by accident.
Kind – being friendly and caring.
Friend – someone you like and play with.

“I Am Sorry” Rhyme

Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Lyrics:

Oops, I made a mistake, oh dear!
I’m sorry, friend, please lend an ear.
I didn’t mean to, truly so,
I’m sorry, friend, I want you to know.

Actions: Point to self, shake head, put hands together, hug self, then point to a friend.

Watch and Practise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3S019Wv2Kk

💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary

How to teach the content: Explain “I am sorry” as a way to show care when we make an accidental mistake. Use simple, relatable examples from the children’s daily lives. Show picture cards of situations where an apology is needed and ask pupils what they would say.

What to show or demonstrate: Demonstrate various scenarios using puppets or by acting out with a pupil volunteer (e.g., accidentally bumping, taking a crayon without asking). Model saying “I am sorry” clearly and sincerely.

How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “I Am Sorry” rhyme, singing it slowly and clearly. Demonstrate the actions and encourage pupils to join in. Repeat the rhyme 2-3 times to help them learn the words and actions.

How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to learn about saying “I am sorry.” Ask pupils to watch and listen carefully to the song and the examples. After watching, discuss what they saw and encourage them to practise saying “I am sorry” as shown in the video.

What to watch for: Observe if pupils understand when an apology is needed and if they can say the phrase clearly. Encourage even shy pupils to whisper or gesture during practice.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning
Demonstration
Guided Practice
Songs and Rhymes
Picture Talk
Role-play
Repetition

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils, sings a short welcome song, and asks them about polite words they already know (e.g., “please,” “thank you”). The teacher then introduces the idea that sometimes we make mistakes.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, sing along, and mention polite words they know.

Learning Point: Pupils recall polite words and are introduced to the concept of making mistakes.

Step 2: Presentation – What “Sorry” Means

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visual Aid

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows pictures of children looking sad and then happy after someone says “I am sorry.” The teacher explains that “I am sorry” means we feel bad for a mistake and want to make our friend feel better.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the pictures, listen to the explanation, and repeat “I am sorry.”

Learning Point: Pupils understand the meaning and purpose of saying “I am sorry.”

Step 3: Demonstration – When to Say Sorry

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Modelling/Scenario-based Learning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates simple scenarios using puppets or by acting out with a helper (e.g., accidentally bumping a friend, stepping on a foot, taking a toy). In each scenario, the teacher models saying “I am sorry” clearly and sincerely.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the demonstrations and identify when “I am sorry” is said. They may repeat the phrase.

Learning Point: Pupils recognise situations that require an apology.

Step 4: Guided Practice – Pupil Role-play

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Role-play

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher invites pairs of pupils to act out simple scenarios (e.g., one pupil accidentally steps on another’s foot). The teacher guides them to say “I am sorry” and shows them how to look at the person they are apologising to.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in guided role-play, practising saying “I am sorry” to a classmate.

Learning Point: Pupils practise saying “I am sorry” in a safe, guided environment.

Step 5: Reinforcement – “I Am Sorry” Rhyme

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Songs and Rhymes

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the class in singing the “I Am Sorry” rhyme with actions. The teacher encourages all pupils to join in the singing and movements.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme and perform the actions, reinforcing the lesson’s message.

Learning Point: Pupils learn a rhyme that helps them remember to say “I am sorry.”

Step 6: Video and Application

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Multimedia/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the “When We Make Mistakes | Saying Sorry Song for Kids” video. After the video, the teacher asks pupils what they learned and encourages them to share examples from the video.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video, listen to the song, and discuss what they saw, relating it to their own experiences.

Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding through visual and auditory reinforcement.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 4–5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.

“What do you say if you accidentally push your friend?”
“Show me how you would say ‘I am sorry’ if you stepped on my foot.”
“Why is it good to say ‘I am sorry’?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Summarisation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher reminds pupils that saying “I am sorry” is a kind and important thing to do when we make mistakes. The teacher praises pupils for their participation.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and acknowledge the importance of saying “I am sorry.”

Learning Point: Pupils understand the overall message of the lesson.

Lesson Keywords

Sorry – feeling bad about a mistake.
Mistake – something done wrong by accident.
Kind – being friendly and caring.

Differentiation

Support: For pupils who are shy or struggling, the teacher can provide more one-on-one modelling, use hand gestures to prompt the phrase, or allow them to whisper “I am sorry” while the teacher says it aloud. Use simpler, very direct scenarios.
Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the concept, the teacher can ask them to suggest other situations where “I am sorry” might be needed, or to practise saying “It’s okay” when someone apologises to them.