Egg Head Directions for Teaching Trust

Egg Head Props
Egg Head is a plastic rat trap with a cover.  It is designed to crush plastic eggs for the enjoyment of children.  It is used to ask children questions about trust, however, it’s simply a fun way to ask questions and reward the children for their answers in a way that drives them nuts.  The props are available from Barry Mitchell Products.  The script is printed here to give potential buyers a better understanding of the power of the routine.  Visit our website for a full description of all the props.
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Egg Head Trust Presentation
I’m looking for three individuals who trust me.  (Choose boy, girl, and teacher or adult.  Position the teacher in the first position chair and boy in the middle chair.  Ask teacher to identify the rattrap.)  What is this?  It’s a rattrap!  This is not designed to hurt the rat.  It is designed to destroy the rat. (Snap trap against wood.)  I’ll show you how it works.  This is a defenseless pretzel stick. (Ask teacher.)  Do you trust me? Please place the end of the stick on the target.  This will be messy.  (Snap trap against stick.  Stick will shatter and break off a small piece.  Pick up small piece and hand to boy helper.)  Do you trust me?  (Ask boy.)  Place the pretzel stick against the target.  (Some students will actually reach to help you.  Others will not.  If they reach out stop them and say “you can’t do that, you could lose an arm!”)  You really shouldn’t trust me.  Do you think you shouldn’t trust me because the stick is so small or just because I’m a stranger to you?  (Most children will answer the stick is too small.)  That was a trick question.  Actually, you shouldn’t trust me because I’m a stranger to you.  That’s why I asked the teacher first.  He/she is an adult and he/she should know better.  (Pause for laugh.)
It just proves that we can all learn a little more about trust.  That’s why we’re going to play Egg Head, the game show that’s egg-citing to everyone except the egg. Are you wonderfully witted, surprisingly smart, the egghead of your class?  If so, you might just be intelligent enough to win Egg Head.  (Hold eggs for volunteers to choose an egg.)  Please choose an egg.  Each of our helpers is choosing an egg with a question about trust.  If our helper answers their question correctly they win the honor of destroying their egg.  (Set the trap.)  I’ve set the trap because I’m confident our teacher will answer correctly.  Please open your egg and hand me the question.  It is multiple choice with three possible answers.
(The questions will be random when selected.)  Your question is:
1. To be trustworthy means:
A. people can count on your word
B. you have big muscles
C. you own a hardware store.
Our teacher has said “people can count on your word” is that correct?  (Ask audience.)  Come on over and bring your egg.  (Place egg on trap and allow teacher to push button.  Kids go nuts when the egg breaks.)  Give him/her a hand.
(Ask the next person to open their egg and hand you the question.)

2. To be trustworthy is to be:
A. flexible
B. foolish
C. reliable
Our helper has said “reliable” is that correct.  (Ask audience.)  Come on over and bring your egg.  (Student smashes egg.)  Give him a hand!
Open your egg and hand me your question.
3. A trustworthy person builds:
A. a bridge over troubled waters
B. a birdhouse for feathered friends
C. a good reputation.
Our helper has said “a good reputation” is that correct.  (Ask audience.)  Come on over and bring your egg.  (Student smashes egg.)  Give her a hand!

What if a child answers incorrectly?
On rare occasions younger children may answer incorrectly.  When older children give the wrong answer they are most likely seeking attention, however, younger children desire to please therefore they may have misunderstood the question.  I have had a few children that truly didn’t understand trust.  Treat this situation with care and stroke the child’s ego.  Do not declare the child wrong and forfeit their chance to destroy the egg.  Coach them through the question explaining the meaning of the words.  Offer them a second and even third chance.  I honestly had one child give both of the wrong answers before I persuaded him to choose the correct one.  The objective should be for the audience to learn and the helpers to enjoy the experience.

Unlimited Possibilities
The Egg Head prop is simply a method to make asking children questions. . . FUN!  Although it is perfect for questions about trust it is just fun to ask questions about any subject.  Kids just love to see the eggs smashed.