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Thanks a BUNCH

Keeping Kids Connected
Activity Glossary

Glossary of Terms

At URSTRONG, we believe it’s important to use kids’ language for kids’ problems. That’s why we have our very own, unique language of friendship. Here are some important terms that children, parents, and teachers learn in our program.

Friendship Fire®: Any situation between you and a friend that results in negative feelings.

Mean-on-Purpose: When someone is intentionally unkind to someone else.

Quick Comeback: A very short word or phrase that is used when someone is Mean-on-Purpose. Quick Comebacks are designed to let the other person know that you heard/saw what they did and you’re not okay with it.

Friend-o-meter: A visual tool that assesses the health of friendships, ranging from the healthy zone to the unhealthy zone.

Friend-o-cycle: The normal cycle in a friendship that brings the friendship back to the healthy zone after experiencing a Friendship Fire. The phases of the Friend-o-cycle are: Healthy Friendship – Fire – Confront the issue – Talk-it-Out – Forgive & Forget – Closer & Stronger – Healthy Friendship…

4 Friendship Facts: A set of four facts that help us have realistic expectations in our friendships so we understand what is normal.

  1. No friendship (relationship) is perfect.
  2. Every friendship is different.
  3. Trust & Respect are the two most important qualities of a friendship.
  4. Friendships change…and that’s okay.

Red Shirt Girl and Striped Shirt Boy: Two characters that remind us about the importance of body language.

Friendship Ninja: A Friendship Ninja is someone who surrounds themselves with friends in the healthy zone of the Friend-o-meter. A Friendship Ninja is kind and friendly to everyone. A Friendship Ninja understands the 4 Friendship Facts and puts out their Friendship Fires when they ignite. A Friendship Ninja stands up for themselves and their friends. A Friendship Ninja makes new friends and understands that friendships change…and that’s okay. Above all else, a Friendship Ninja is someone you want to be friends with because they’re true to who they are!

Is there someone that you could say thank you to right now? Let’s give thanks to a teacher, nurse, bestie, or neighbour!

To access this resource, you must purchase Parent Membership.

Objective

During this uneasy time, our primary goal is: Keeping Kids Connected. Research shows us that social connection is the most powerful antidote to stress and anxiety. We are committed to helping bring positivity, fun, and friendship to kids around the globe.

In addition to offering regular live lessons in our virtual URSTRONG Classroom, we have curated a collection of friendship-themed activities for kids to do at home.

Building on research from Carol Dweck’s Fixed and Growth mindset is Benefit Mindset.  According to Ash Buchanan, Benefit Mindset builds on Growth Mindset, where we extend beyond fulfilling our own potential and choose to grow because it serves the wellbeing of those around us. You can view what a Benefit Mindset looks like here.

We want our children to know that we can all contribute to the wellbeing of others and our planet.  Taking time to intentionally value what someone else has done for us and the way is has impacted positively on our life, will cause a ripple effect of positivity – something we all can catch!

Key Outcome

Your child will write a letter to someone that they want to formally appreciate, intentionally adopting a Benefit Mindset.

Materials

  • Letter writing material (pen, paper and stamp) or computer for email
  • Mindset Matters video

Instructions

  1. As an introduction for your child on the different mindsets, play the video. Ask your child, “Why does mindset matter?”
  2. Explain that they’re going to work on their Benefit Mindset and write a letter to thank someone. Ask your child who they have in mind for their letter and scaffold depending on age and ability. A rough plan for a letter would include:
  • A welcome greeting
  • Checking in with how they are going (e.g. How are you?)
  • A memory or reflection of something that your child appreciated and valued
  • What that taught your child and how it has impacted on them
  • Have they use this reflection to benefit someone else? Write about it
  • Thanking the person in the letter for the way they have benefited from their gift of kindness
  • A closing line and signature
  • A picture or photo (optional)
  1. Write your “Thanks a BUNCH” letter and deliver to that person. 😊
  2. Check in with how your child feels! Ask them, “How did it feel to write that letter? How do you think the person receiving your letter will feel?”

Note: For older children, you could consider showing them this YouTube video. What reflections did they have?

Next Steps

Encourage your child to start a Gratitude Journal. At the end of each day, they could write down at least 3 things or people they are grateful for. Who else do they want to thank?