Many times I wonder, if I were my teacher, what would I see in myself. I certainly didn't have confidence. I certainly couldn't easily bond with other kids - meeting new people in class didn't hold the significance we give it today. There was also no need that exists today.
A need to recognize our feelings, our uniqueness, to accept one another, to talk about what we feel and to respect what others around us feel. In the past, all of this wasn't even on the table or it happened without much discussion. Or it didn't happen at all.
In recent years, the word empathy has been passed from mouth to mouth, with no one daring to explain it. This guide is made to do just that. I don't say "written," because primarily it's lived; it's activities that were implemented with younger and older children with the ultimate goal of helping them know themselves.
I had the joy of seeing their eyes shine, surprised that a teacher cares about how they feel, laughing because I was laughing with them or having discussions or playing, and all of this aimed to help them find the best version of themselves.
The activities are structured as simply as possible. With simple, useful, and everyday materials, with easy instructions, divided into three parts: the action as it could be developed in kindergarten or in the early grades of primary school (1st, 2nd, and 3rd), how it could give an extra dose in the higher grades of primary school (4th, 5th, and 6th), and how it could be a part of a child's daily life at home.
Whether you are a teacher, educator, parent, or caregiver, I invite you to experience together with the children these unique moments that each page describes. Getting to know ourselves cannot wait until we grow up, nor can we schedule an appointment for it to happen. It is a continuous search, a constant game, an unstoppable way to discover our world. And this book is a world. The world you can create.
From the preface of the book: A world full of inspiration and ideas for experiential activities and games that can be implemented in the classroom or at home and help every child discover the best version of themselves. The most important lesson we can teach a child is to never stop believing in themselves!
Activities with simple materials for preschool and primary school-aged children, but also an extra DOSE for older children!
FAMILIARITY Every time you fall, remember how beautiful it feels when you get up!
CIRCLE The circle unites us, without angles, sides, or obstacles.
POSITIVE FOCUS Even when everything goes wrong, the most beautiful wrong is the curve of a smile.
SELF-CONFIDENCE A person's height is as far as their mind reaches, not their stature!
EMOTIONS I miss sadness! I have my books!
UNIQUENESS We all have the best materials inside us, as long as we find a way to bring them to the surface.
ACCEPTANCE Acceptance of others begins when we see them in front of us and then beside us.
EMPOWERMENT What matters is not what grade others give you, but what grade you give yourself!
SUPPORT A large part of solving a problem is your courage to ask for help!
EMPATHY You can do anything. You choose the way!
