Idioms & Expressions:
lend a helping hand (verb phrase that means to help someone)
in need (this is a prepositional phrase used to describe someone who need something)
I like to lend a helping hand if someone is in need.
give back to the community (to give money, time and resources to the community that you grew up in)
I have been very successful in my business, so now I plan on giving back to the community.
let me know if I can be of service/of assistance to you (a more formal way of stating that you are available to help someone)
Let me know if I can be of service to you.
you saved my life (an exaggerated expression that shows gratitude to someone who helped you)
Thanks for coming to my rescue when I had a flat tire – you saved my life!
help out (another way of saying “help”)
She helped out when we were trying to finish our project on time.
Good Samaritan (a stranger who helps you when you’re in need)
A Good Samaritan gave me a ride when my bike broke down.
I’ve got your back (a casual way of saying you’ll be there for someone if they ever need anything)
Anything you need, I’ve got your back.
let me know if there’s anything you need (another polite way of saying you’re available to help someone in the future)
Nice to meet you. Let me know if there’s anything you need.
helicopter parents (noun that refers to parents who watch their kids very closely)
You can see the helicopter parents with their kids on the playground.
spoiled brat (a noun for a kid who is accustomed to getting what they want and is therefore very rude)
She is a bit of a spoiled brat and will not hesitate to shout at you.
sheltered child (a child who is protected from the outside world by their parents and is not permitted to do many things)
He is a little shy because growing up, he was a sheltered child.
Part I: Group Discussion
- Do you often help others?
I help out the people in my life if there’s a need. This can take many forms. I believe in helping people with tasks and projects and errands, as well as being there for friendship and emotional support.
- What things do you often help them with?
I think quality time and lending a listening ear can be invaluable contributions to another person’s wellbeing. But I also like to treat people to a meal or coffee if I have time. Help can take many forms. I think being present and trying to discern needs is the best route to take.
- How do neighbors help each other?
Neighbors should try to be aware of each other’s needs by keeping an open eye and asking each other questions. If there’s a big project going, such as somebody moving in or out of a house, then a lot of neighbors help each other if there’s free time.
Part II: Group Discussion (Cont’d)
Describe a time when someone (not a family member or close friend) helped you. You should say:
- Who helped you
- How they help you
- And explain how you felt after they helped you
A guy I had met once or twice at my university helped me once. Even though I didn’t really know him, he still helped me out with something I needed. I was humbled and excited that he did. This happened when I was 17 years old, I moved to my college town in California. I had a girl who I had a crush on and I wanted to take her out on a date. Unfortunately, there was no public transportation in my college town, so I needed a car. I called this guy and asked him, and he agreed to let me borrow the car! I was really happy because now I had a way to take this girl out on a date. I took him out to a movie to repay my “debt” to him, and we eventually became good friends after that.
Part III: Class Discussion
- Do you think children naturally like to help each other or do they need to be taught this?
I’m not sure, since I don’t know many children. But I remember being pretty selfish when I was a child! When my sisters were young, they fought and hit each other all the time. So I had to teach them to be more considerate of each other.
- What do you think are some differences between what children want to do and what their parents want them to do?
Children, of course, don’t really prioritize well, and would consistently make bad decisions if their parents weren’t there to enforce some rules. For example, when I was a kid, I only wanted to stay up late and eat pizza and candy all the time. But my parents were there to make sure I did the right things.
What are the important things that parents teach their children?
I think parents should try to teach their children to be the best people they can be, and to make the best decisions they can. Of course, parents don’t always accomplish this goal. Parents are busy people, and they are just as flawed as anyone else.
What is the most important thing about helping others that parents teach their children?
Parents should try to remember to teach their kids the golden rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It’s simple, but it says it all. If parents can help their kids internalize that, then I think they children will be much more happy and successful in life.
