Stretch Your Confidence
What’s inside...
Stretch Your Confidence is a practical and interactive book designed to help children and young adults build confidence and self-esteem. Through a series of exercises and real-life scenarios, readers are encouraged to explore their feelings, set goals, and develop a stronger sense of self. From dealing with friendship wobbles to embracing mistakes and coping with change, the awesome activities in this book have been expertly designed to help children discover just what they can do. Build confidence and empathy with inclusivity expert Beth Cox, Power Thoughts founder Natalie Costa and Blue Peter Book Award winner Vicky Barker.
Discussion points
How did the characters in the book show confidence, and can you think of a time when you felt the same way?
What are some new things the characters tried in the story? What new activity would you like to try to stretch your confidence?
How did the characters handle setbacks or challenges? How do you handle challenges?
The characters in the book supported each other. Who supports you when you're trying something new, and how do you support others?
Tip: Role play these questions
Create a relaxed and open atmosphere where the child feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences.
Use examples from the book to guide the conversation, but make sure to relate them back to the child’s own life.
Encourage the child to not only answer questions but also to ask their own, fostering a two-way conversation.
Praise the child’s efforts in sharing and exploring new ideas to build their confidence further.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Building self-esteem
Explanation: Through interactive activities and engaging narratives, 'Stretch Your Confidence' helps children recognize their value and strengths.
Real-World Application: Children can apply the message to everyday situations by acknowledging their abilities and feeling confident in school or social settings.
Example Lesson: Understanding and expressing emotions
Explanation: The book provides scenarios where characters deal with various emotions, teaching kids to identify and express their feelings effectively.
Real-World Application: This lesson aids children in handling emotions like frustration or excitement, helping them communicate better with peers and adults.
Example Lesson: Embracing uniqueness
Explanation: Characters in the book learn to celebrate their individual traits, showing children that being different is valuable and empowering.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to appreciate and respect their uniqueness and that of others, promoting diversity and inclusion in their interactions.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Through storytelling, 'Stretch Your Confidence' demonstrates the importance of trying again, even after setbacks.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the value of persistence in school tasks, sports, or learning new skills, fostering resilience.
Example Lesson: Setting goals
Explanation: The book illustrates how characters achieve their dreams by setting specific, achievable goals.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to set their own goals, small or big, and learn the steps to reach them, enhancing their planning and organizational skills.