A Personal Self Esteem Coach: Boost Kids
Flash Cards

Flash cards have long been an effective educational tool. Whether it is math problems, English vocabulary, or science terms flash cards greatly benefit the learning student in deepening their understanding of the subject. It is like having a personal coach presenting the problem or term to focus on and then giving instant feedback with the correct answers. The use of flash cards is a method of learning that stretches across the academic spectrum. They are utilized by a second grader learning addition and a Medical student studying to be a doctor.

Knowing the practical importance and effectiveness of flash cards as an educational tool Boost Kids also created a set of flash cards to help students in one of life’s most important areas; building self esteem. The goal of the Boost Cards is to give students a personal self esteem coach they can learn from and reference to develop the social skills and character needed to build their self esteem. Situations challenging their social and character know-how will inevitably arise and having this personal self esteem coach to refer back to will aid them greatly in dealing with these situation.

Each of the twenty-eight topics in Boost Kids has its own flash card. The topic is listed on the front of the card. A few examples might be Greeting People, Be Honest, Apologizing, or Accomplishing Goals. On the back of the card is a synopsis of the topic. First there is a list of “Helpful Tips” conveying the main principles. This will help the student reinforce the techniques and strategies they can use in these social and character areas in life. There is also a “Think About It” phrase pertaining to each topic to help the student better internalize, personalize, and identify with the area discussed.

When students can become familiar and comfortable with the principles emphasized on the Boost Cards they will be better prepared to handle similar situations in life. For instance, if they find them selves in a situation where they are meeting someone new they feel confident because they have reviewed strategies for handling this circumstance.  This awareness or understanding shows the student they have the ability to independently handle an unfamiliar social situation, which is one of many great ways to build their self esteem.

The cards can be used in a variety of ways to help students boost their knowledge of these issues and make these situations self esteem building opportunities. They can be presented as a personal resource a student can use when needed. The personal self esteem coach we mentioned earlier. The students can have open access to the cards to review a topic they are presently facing or would like to learn more about on their own. This personal self esteem coach approach allows the student to independently address an issue and improve their functioning, which again is a great way to build confidence.

Partnerships are another great way to utilize the Boost Cards. Having two students work together with the Boost Cards is very beneficial. They are able to test each others knowledge of the topic and also teach one another. This process is a great way for them to reinforce the principles they are learning while also creating a partnership of understanding as they can relate with each other when situations arise. They can almost become each others personal self esteem coach. The Boost Cards can also be used to present a daily or weekly topic for the class to focus on. A theme the students and teachers can discuss to reinforce its importance throughout the classroom. One last method to mention is to deal the cards when necessary. The teacher becomes the personal self esteem coach and recognizes when students are not practicing the principles discussed on the cards. The teacher then hands the student the Boost Card relevant to their behavior for them to review. This approach allows the teacher to address the issues most relevant for each child, helping attend to the situation specifically and when it is needed.

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. 

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By Charlie Copp, Director of Boost Kids

About the author: Charlie Copp is program coordinator for BOOST KIDS, an interactive CD ROM-based program for kids ages eight and up, that teaches, demonstrates, and reinforces the value of applying people skills and strong character to everyday life.His work with BOOST KIDS confirms what Copp has always believed: that kids and teens are hungry for character-building life skills, and with them gain the confidence needed to succeed in the classroom, on the playing field, in their interpersonal relationships, and on the job.