How to Teach Young Children About Asking for Help When They Need It
Asking for help is an essential life skill, yet many young children either hesitate to ask or don’t know how to do it appropriately. Teaching kids that it’s okay—and even smart—to ask for help builds confidence, resilience, and stronger social connections. With encouragement and modeling, children can learn that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Why This Skill Matters
- Builds emotional safety and trust
- Supports problem-solving and independence
- Strengthens communication skills
- Reduces frustration and fear of failure
- Promotes teamwork and resilience
Option 1: Normalize Asking for Help Through Conversations
Activity Idea:
During daily tasks, model asking for help:
- “This bag is heavy. Can you help me carry it?”
- “I don’t know where I left my book—can you help me look?”
Praise your child when they ask for assistance:
- “I’m so proud you asked for help when you needed it!”
What Kids Learn:
- That asking for help is normal and positive
- Language for making polite, confident requests
- That everyone needs support sometimes
Tool Suggestion:
Create a “Help Menu” poster with simple phrases and pictures: “Can you help me, please?” “I need help with this.”
Option 2: Role-Play Asking for Help in Different Scenarios
Activity Idea:
Use dolls, puppets, or simple role-play:
- A toy can’t reach a shelf and asks for help
- A stuffed animal needs help tying shoes
Practice what asking sounds like:
- Use a calm voice
- Look at the person
- Say what you need
What Kids Learn:
- The steps of polite, clear asking
- Confidence in speaking up
- That seeking help solves problems faster
Book Suggestion:
Can I Play Too? by Mo Willems — a sweet story about including others and asking for help.
Other Ways to Encourage Asking for Help
- Respond warmly and supportively when your child asks
- Notice and praise asking behavior: “That was a great way to ask for help!”
- Remind kids that grown-ups need help too
- Give language tools: Practice phrases like “I’m stuck” or “Can you show me how?”
- Teach when and whom to ask: “At school, you can ask your teacher if you’re unsure.”
Final Thoughts
Teaching children to ask for help empowers them to face challenges without fear. When kids understand that needing support is part of learning and growing, they become braver, stronger, and more connected to the people around them. Asking for help is not giving up—it’s reaching out to move forward.