SESSION 1
SAY YES TO NO® / GETTING FROM HERE TO THERE
Introduction:
As participants arrive, have the Parent Letter from Dr. Dave (Handout 1-A) for parents to read before the session begins (also in Parent Workbook).
Welcome (5 minutes): Introduce yourself and the Say Yes to No® Parenting Program. Ask participants to introduce themselves, share who their children are (or the children they care for), their children’s ages, and why they came. (If a larger group, ask participants to form groups of five or six and share introductions.)
Program Overview: The Say Yes to No Parenting Program helps parents learn the practical strategies of No, from the book by Dr. David Walsh: No, Why Kids — of All Ages — Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It and to help children gain the character traits they need for success in school and in life. Parents in earlier generations had an easier time saying no because they were supported by a culture that reinforced the messages of No — messages that reinforced the traits of self-discipline including patience, persistence, the ability to delay gratification, respect and others. This program is divided into five sessions. Each session has two or three Big Ideas. In the first session we will learn: • The importance of self-discipline to children’s happiness and success. • How difficult it is to develop self-discipline in a media culture that doesn’t support it. • How self-discipline relates to children’s brain development. In the second session we will learn: • How to set limits and consequences. • The importance of consistency. • How to avoid power struggles.
Materials in Leader’s Kit: Handouts: • 1-A: Parent Letter (also found in Parent Workbook) • 1-B: Taming the Drives (one per small group) • P arent Workbooks and pens for participants
Materials at SayYestoNo.org/Leader: PowerPoint slides or overheads: • Ground Rules • Session 1’s three Big Ideas • More, Easy, Fast, Fun • Hard Wired Drives
Materials (needed): • P owerPoint or overhead, whiteboard, etc. • Marshmallows (1 per participant) • Small cards titled either More, Easy, Fast or Fun (1 card per small group) • 2 index cards per participant • Small prizes for Brain Quiz (e.g. snack) • Hard-Wired Drive cards (one per group)
In the fourth session we will learn: • The difference between real self-esteem and the myths that often distort its meaning. • Rules for helpful praise. In the fifth session we will learn: • How to balance limits and consequences with encouragement. • How to reverse Discipline Deficit Disorder or DDD. • We’ll wrap it up with Big Idea #12.
In the third session we will learn: • The different styles of parenting. • The importance of building and maintaining a secure connection with our children.
Session 1: Say Yes to No® / Getting from Here to There
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