If you opt to serve marshmallows to your class, hand them out now. You might want to have them refrain from actually eating them until the video is over.
Imagine your favorite dessert sitting on a table in front of you, practically calling your name. You’ve been told not to eat it, but it looks so good! A few scientists ran an impactful experiment with some marshmallows and children. Let’s see what they discovered.
Share the following short video with your students:
The Marshmallow Test 🍡
- Some children chose to eat the first marshmallow, whereas others chose to wait for a second. Why do you think some children felt compelled to wait? (Answers will vary but will probably focus on how waiting would be rewarded.)
- If you were in this experiment, do you think you would choose to eat one marshmallow now or two marshmallows later? Why? (Accept all reasonable answers.)
- Aside from eating one marshmallow instead of waiting for two, what are some of the temptations that you face or have faced? (Answers will vary.)
- Without using names, when have you invited others to experience a temptation with you? (Answers will vary. Be prepared to share your own experience to get the conversation going.)
- Again, without sharing names, when have you been encouraged to join others in a temptation they faced? (Answers will vary.)
Temptations can be strong. Peer pressure can be strong. We need to find a way out before we give in to temptations that look promising but come with harsh consequences. Let’s find out how Daniel faced the temptation placed before him.
