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Kids Get a 'Boost' in Social Skills With New Interactive Program
Boost Kids, Inc. is a program geared towards enhancing a child's self esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence through CD-Rom, flash cards and activity book.
With the technological advancements
of video games, risque television and the obsession of
the Internet easily distracting today’s youth, common
things like providing a firm handshake to giving eye-contact
when spoken to are becoming, well, uncommon. Hence, it
was ideal for Boost Kids, Inc. creators to capitalize
on this void with what the company describes as a program
geared towards enhancing a child’s self esteem, selfworth,
and self-confidence through CD-Rom, flash cards and an
activity book.
According to their www.boostkids.com website,
the company’s overall goal is to “increase parent awareness
of Boost Kids so they know there is something out there
that can help.” With a computer and a participating child,
adolescent or teen, anyone can explore and capitalize on
this interactive mentor that can be activated anywhere
at any time during the day. A partial list of social skills
the program guarantees to enhance includes:
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Meeting and Greeting People
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Eye Contact
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Listening Skills
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Speaking Clearly
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Numerous character development skills like respecting others, handling peer pressure, being sincere, managing anger, etc.
On the box of Boost flash cards, there is a drawing of
a rocket shooting upwards and the message, “Helping kids’ confidence soar!”
The cards inside have numbered lessons with helpful tips and suggestions.
For instance, “Lesson 8” is titled “Resist the ‘Dark Side’” and informs
readers on handling temptation and how succumbing to it is only a short-term
satisfaction that leads to long-term regret.
The CD-Rom features a series of different scenarios
that are acted out by children of different ethnicities so that it is
easier for the young participants to relate from various demographics.
For instance, an African-American parent is giving his son money so
that he can go to the movies with his Caucasian friend. The child in
the first scene grabs the money and leaves. The second scenario has
him giving a lackadaisical “thank you” and the third is the more sincere,
grateful reply all parents would appreciate.
The activity book is also a supplement to the Boost package
that further discusses why certain skills are important and has fill-in
sections that allow participants to write in answers. Businessman Rob
Heller founded Boost Kids in the spring of 2003 after looking for something
that could help his introverted 12-year-old son develop the proper skills
needed to progress socially. After research and numerous discussions with
teachers, counselors, parents and others, Heller realized that there was
a demand for a program like Boost Kids and launched the venture in Philadelphia.
Three years later, that niche is constantly growing nationwide.
Boost Kids, Inc. executive director Charlie Copp said,
“We had parents writing us letters thanking us for helping their child
be a little more respectful. The reception has been tremendous. From
parents, to teachers, to guidance counselors, to the kids themselves,
they’ve all spoken of the positive effect it has had on them or their
kids or students.” All in all, Boost Kids is a necessary program for
children that need to sharpen the skills that make them become more
assertive, courteous and overall a positive force in today’s society.
How BoostKids Can Help:
 BoostKids is a program that can help increase a child’s confidence by teaching social skills to children and building their character. BoostKids has been and is currently being taught in schools, non-profit organizations, and after-school programs. The program is now available as an at-home training program for children and their parents. The key training tool of the BoostKids program is an interactive CD-ROM that shows kids the right-way and the wrong-way to handle social situations. They learn from real kid actors in real-life scenerios!
For more information about what’s included in BoostKids, click here.
ORDER NOW - Free 30-day Trial, click here.
By Dennis Byron, Jr.
Reporter for the Atlanta Voice
As seen in the Jun 30th-July 5th issue of the Atlanta Voice
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