EP 11 - Be Strong like Smriti and Rise to the Challenge!
Zara and Leo land in Sangli, the small “Turmeric City” of Western India. Will Zara be able to rise to the challenges that face her? And how many mangoes does it take to fill a fine leg slip? Find out how the best Indian cricket player in the world tackles each challenge head-on.
In this episode, children will:
- discover how challenges make them stronger
- travel to India
- be inspired by Smriti Mandhana, a famous cricket player from India
Supplemental Resources
Read
- Turn to Chapter 6 "Challenges Make You Stronger" in the Big Life Journal Second Edition. In this chapter, children will brainstorm solutions for a challenge they are facing, draw the tree of life (which demonstrates they have a strong support system), be inspired by motivational quotes, and much more.
- After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again) by Dan Santat
- The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
- What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada
Watch
Activities
1. Create an I Am Strong Like a Tree poster (in the Podcast Activity Kit) to help children think of loving adults, teachers, friends, thoughts, and values that keep them standing strong when facing challenges.
2. Use the printables "One Goal, Different Paths" (included in the Growth Mindset Printables Kit) to demonstrate we all face different obstacles and challenges. These printables are especially helpful to children who tend to compare themselves to others. Give an example of how you once compared yourself to others and how it made you feel.
3. Have your child or students read the poster "Having a Growth Mindset Means" (included in the Growth Mindset Printables Kit). Ask, "How does a person with a growth mindset respond to challenges?"
4. Use the printable poster "Resilience Is My Superpower" (included in the Resilience Kit) as an effective daily reminder for your kids of their incredible power to stay resilient. Ask them to fill in the last three affirmations to make it more personal.
5. Use the "Take Chances Keep Going" printable (included in the Resilience Kit) to help children stay motivated as they put effort into their tasks. When they keep going and don’t give up, they will see great results of their work. Print enough copies to complete the drawings together. As you’re drawing, talk about times when your children didn’t give up on something difficult.
6. Use the "Stairway to Success" printable (included in the Resilience Kit) to show what it takes to achieve success -- staying resilient in the face of challenges. Have your children do some research on their sports role models. They will learn how much work and effort went into each athlete's success.
7. Use the colorful hand-lettered "Affirmation Bracelets" (included in the Resilience Kit) to create affirmation bracelets, bookmarks, a poster or a paper garland.
Discussion Questions
Use the following questions by Paul Smith, bestselling author of Parenting with a Story, to discuss the fear of new challenges with your child.
- Name something you’d like to do now but have been scared to try. How can I help you with that?
- How long do you think it takes people to get good at something new, like learning an instrument or playing a new sport?
- Can you think of something people are just naturally good at without having to learn and practice? (Your child probably won’t be able to think of many answers to this question, the point of this question is to demonstrate everyone needs to practice to get good at something.)
- Is there anything that used to be difficult or scary for you that’s now much easier? (Remind your child all the abilities they have now were new at one point. They weren't born with them; they had to learn, practice, and persist.)
To put your child’s fears in perspective, you can also ask questions like:
- What’s the worst thing that could happen?
- What evidence suggests that this might happen?
- What is more likely to happen?
- What would you tell a friend who felt this way?
For Parents and Teachers
- 7 Ways to Encourage Your Child to Try New Things
- 4 Steps to Help Kids Cope with Feelings about Failure
- Top 30 Children's Books About Resilience
- How To Raise Resilient Kids Who Never Give Up (Based On Science)
- 9 Activities To Build Grit and Resilience in Children
Produced by Alexandra Eidens and Big Life Journal team. Written and directed by Sarah Cyrano. Sound design and original music by Elettra Bargiacchi. Sound mixing by Mattia Marcelli. Characters played by Sean Chiplock and Ryan Bartley. Managed by Kait Bibb.