I'm going to tell you a story and then ask you some questions about it. This story is a fantasy and it's not going to come true.
Peter is 10 years old. He lives in a beautiful house with a big garden and loving parents. He spends most of this time outdoors, playing with his friends, running around playing sports, laughing and exploring.
Pause and ask: i. Does this sound like a normal kid’s life? ii. Do you live this kind of life?
But unfortunately, Peter’s life takes a turn. He can’t pay attention in class or listen very well. And his friends start making fun of him. His parents are upset and so is his teacher. Peter gets into trouble a lot.
One night a friendly dwarf creeps into Peter's bedroom and shakes him awake. "Peter", says the dwarf. "I want to help you. I can give you a new brain. Sprinkle this gold dust all over your head. It won’t hurt at all, and you will wake up in the morning with a new brain."
Questions:
- Should Peter accept the dwarf’s offer? Why/why not?
- What would be different about Peter if he did accept the offer?
- Do you think Peter would miss his old brain at all?
- Would Peter still be Peter if he had a new brain?
- What if the dwarf could change only part of Peter’s brain? Should he do that?
- Is that different than getting a whole new brain?
- Would Peter still be Peter if he had only part of his brain changed? - If Peter is doing all this naughty stuff, would you say he is a good person?
- Would Peter be a better person with a new brain?
- What makes a person good?
- Are you a good person?
- Does being good have anything to do with your brain?
- Do you think it’s harder for kids with ADHD to be good people?