Kids_Life_Skills_101: Early Childhood Education

Hopefully you will have either downloaded and saved or printed the Positive Start for Kids manual listed in the Introduction.

Simply follow the manual from start to finish along with these mini video lecture to walk through each of the 10 life Skills.

Here we look at life Skill number 1: Courtesy

“If Courtesy can open doors, then not using it can certainly shut them.”

1. The manual and video provide you with an explanation of what it means to be courteous:

- Paying attention to people you are with

- Being polite (please, thank you, listening)

- Respect for others

and the benefits of being courteous:

- Being courteous opens doors

- Being courteous makes others want to help you more

- Positive experiences

- Connecting with people in an ever-more virtual society

2. There are two tasks to complete with the children in the manual to help anchor the lessons you teach.

Here we look at Life Skill number 2: Self-control

“We must first learn emotional control if we want to have ultimate discipline over our actions.”

1. The manual and video provide you with an explanation of what it means to have good self-control:

- Having control of your emotions

- Using motion to change your state

- Stepping into a space of reflection before reacting

and the benefits of having good self-control:

- Making better decisions

- Avoiding stress, arguments and conflict

- Having a positive mindset

- Being healthier and happier

2. There are two tasks to complete with the children in the manual to help anchor the lessons you teach.

Here we look at Life Skill number 3: Courage

“Real Courage is to do the right thing no matter what.”

Learning to do the right thing in spite of fear or pressure

1. The manual and video provide you with an explanation of what it means to be courageous:

- The ability to choose what is RIGHT in spite of pressure or fear and..

- ...acting on your decision

- Moving out of your "comfort zone"

and the benefits of being courageous:

- Increased self-confidence

- Increased positivity

- Inspiring others

- Be happier

- Live a more enriched life

2. There are two tasks to complete with the children in the manual to help anchor the lessons you teach.

Here we look at Life Skill number 4: Respect

RESPECT Yourself + RESPECT Others = Receive RESPECT

How to be respectful of themselves and others.

1. The manual and video provide you with an explanation of what it means to be respectful:

- Treating people how you want to be treated

- Pay attention to others

- Listening to others’ point of view

- Don’t practise negative self-talk

and the benefits of being respectful:

- People will be more willing to help you

- Learn new things

- Create a positive atmosphere

- Positive self-image through positive self-talk

- Self-confidence

2. There are two tasks to complete with the children in the manual to help anchor the lessons you teach. Plus, a BONUS task.

Here we look at Life Skill number 5: Honesty
“Honesty is the best policy.”

The importance of being honest

1. The manual and video provide you with an explanation of what it means to be honest:

- Telling the truth

- Not feeling shame or guilt

- Creating an open environment

- Being reliable

and the benefits of being honest:

- People will trust you

- Life is clearer and simple

- Don't get told off

- Truth is a building block for strong positive relationships

2. There are two tasks to complete with the children in the manual to help anchor the lessons you teach. Plus a BONUS task.

Here we look at Life Skill number 6: Commitment
“Commitment is that turning point in your life when you know nothing will ever get in your way.”

The importance of commitment in achieving your dreams.

1. The manual and video provide you with an explanation of what it means to be committed:

- Not giving up

- Having an I CAN attitude instead of an I CAN'T attitude

- Seeing problems as challenges or opportunities

(For more educational material check out Kiki’s I CAN Journal for Kids)

and the benefits of being committed:

- feel more satisfied

- get a sense of achievement

- go further in life

- experience more things

- learn more

- become a better person thanks to increased experiences and learning

2. There are two tasks to complete with the children in the manual to help anchor the lessons you teach.

Here we look at Life Skill number 7: Gratitude

“If actions speak louder than words, then demonstrate Gratitude everyday through your actions.”

How to be grateful and why it is the most important life skill.

1. The manual and video provide you with an explanation of what it means to be grateful:

- to be thankful

- see the glass half full instead of half empty

- appreciate everything in life

and the benefits of being grateful:

- brings happiness

- more energised

- happier

- healthier both in mind and body

- less anxious or worried

- see possibilities instead of dead-ends

- look for and find the good in every situation

2. There are two tasks to complete with the children in the manual to help anchor the lessons you teach.

For more ideas on nurturing gratitude, check out my Positivity Journal

Here we look at Life Skill number 8: Self-discipline

“Master Self-Discipline and you will master your true potential.”

How to Master your true potential.

1. The manual and video provide you with an explanation of what it means to have self-discipline:

- not to give up

- see your goals through to the end

- not give in to impulses

- ability to control your behaviour

and the benefits of practising self-discipline:

- sense of achievement

- sense of satisfaction and pride

- fuel to achieve more

- courtesy

- make better decisions

2. There are two tasks to complete with the children in the manual to help anchor the lessons you teach.

Here we look at Life Skill number 9: Goal-setting

“Goals are dreams that come true if you’re SMART about it.”

How to set the right goals in a way that is doable.

1. The manual and video provide you with an explanation of what it means to set goals:

- clearly define what you want to achieve

- set out a doable plan with realistic deadlines

- provide a framework for success

and the benefits of setting SMART goals:

- having a plan to follow

- making dreams a reality

- achieving and using this as fuel to do more

- a template for success

2. There are two tasks to complete with the children in the manual to help anchor the lessons you teach. Plus a BONUS task!

Here we look at Life Skill number 10: Persistence

“The more we fail the more we succeed! Persistence is key”

How to help children persevere and reap the benefits of a strong willpower.

1. The manual and video provide you with an explanation of what it means to be persistent:

- not giving up until the job is done

- unrelenting drive

and the benefits of being persistent:

- self-development

- see failures as a means to learning

- seeing your dreams through to the end and having an awesome life!

2. There are two exercises you can complete with the children in the PDF to help anchor the lessons.

"Kiki the Kung Fu Kitten" PICTURE BOOK SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN AGED 3 TO 5 YEARS OLD

A beautiful story of friendship and the power of self-belief. Kiki, a little stray kitten, uses her own amazing powers to fend off a big bully and turn him into a great new friend.

The red headband is a metaphor for her self-belief.

Helping to reinforce the learning of LIFE SKILLS:

• courage

• respect

• persistence

Storytelling is one of the most powerful means that educators/parents can use to influence, teach, and inspire. It creates a connection between the reader and the characters that is not possible in real life. It happens in their minds. They fuel it with their own images, interpretations and relevance to them. This makes the content and the values it contains THEIRS. Uniquely THEIRS. No one person's experience of a story is the same as another. The child is therefore already more open and suggestible to the content because it is conveyed through an emotional connection.

Stories transport children out of their everyday lives or classrooms into a world of adventure and endless possibilities. In this altered reality, their minds are more open to receiving and thinking in new ways. This is an ideal position from which to learn.

Resources:

- A narrated video of the book (which you can mute if you would like to read to the children and make it easy for them to see the pictures on a screen).

- PDF worksheet: Learning with Kiki (for 3 to 5-year-olds)

- 3 Exploring Emotions PDFs

- Colouring in sheets: Colouring in is a great way to reinforce the child's bond with the characters and story.

It is also a mindful practice that allows the child to simply "be" and let their thoughts flow. Great for reducing stress.

- Paper plates faces craft activity: A fun way for children to connect and engage with the characters of the story.

Being creative is always a great way to express, remember and interpret what we learn.

Educational aid to support the learning of the 10 Life Skills

- Chapter Book: "A Case of Mistaken Identity" SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN AGED 4 TO 6 YEARS OLD

- PDF worksheet: Learning with Kiki (for 4 to 6-year-olds)

Helping to reinforce the learning of LIFE SKILLS:

• courage

• respect

• honesty

PROMOTING THE BENEFITS OF SELF-BELIEF

As a parent, carer or educator of a child, you might already be aware of the toll modern society is taking on our youngsters.

Here are some shocking statistics (England, 2017, source NHS)).

• 1 in every 8 children (aged between 5 and 19) in England had a mental disorder in 2017 – that is 12.8% of our young people.

• Emotional disorders have become more common in 5 to 15-year-olds – going from 4.3% in 1999 to 5.8% in 2017.

• Preschool: 1 in every 18 preschool children had at least one mental disorder in 2017 – that is 5.5%, that is too high.

• 5.6% of young women aged 17 to 19 suffered from body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)

• 25.5% of 11 to 16-year-olds with a mental disorder had self-harmed or attempted suicide

Not only are our youngsters suffering from mental illnesses, studies have identified other areas of concern – some of which are connected:

• lack self-esteem

• have low self-worth

• feel lonely

• are overweight

• have trouble focusing

HOW KIKI CAN HELP OUR CHILDREN?

Kiki will help move your child from a place of isolation and insecurity to being a confident, happy and healthy individual ready to live a full life.

Storytelling is one of the most powerful means that educators/parents can use to influence, teach, and inspire. It creates a connection between the reader and the characters that is not possible in real life. It happens in their minds. They fuel it with their own images, interpretations and relevance to them. This makes the content and the values it contains THEIRS. Uniquely THEIRS. No one person's experience of a story is the same as another. The child is therefore already more open and suggestible to the content because it is conveyed through an emotional connection.

Stories transport children out of their everyday lives or classrooms into a world of adventure and endless possibilities. In this altered reality, their minds are more open to receiving and thinking in new ways. This is an ideal position from which to learn.

Resources:

- An ebook to download (otherwise visit amazon to purchase paperback version).

- PDF worksheet: Learning with Kiki (for 4 to 6-year-olds)

"Education is teaching our children to desire the right things.” ― Plato

Overview:

This manual (one for 4-6 year olds and another for ages 6+) provides children with the opportunity to put what they have learned into practice. They are encouraged to achieve through a sticker/stamp system whenever they accomplish tasks or display certain behaviours.

Not only does it reaffirm their learning, it creates a motivational framework to better themselves - almost without them knowing it. Once these skills are learned as a child, they are very hard to unlearn as an adult.

This provides scenarios both at home for parents and in the classroom for educators under four main headings:

1. ACTS OF KINDNESS

2. SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

3. HEALTH AND WELLNESS

4. SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

Objectives:

1. Positively reinforce the Life Skills the children have learned by applying them in everyday situations.

2. Recognise and reward their efforts (not their personality) to support a growth mindset and a sense of self-efficacy.

3. Understand that they are part of a larger community and engender a desire to want to help the community.

4. Concreting positive, happy and healthy behaviour.