Speak Up and Get Along!

Book excerpt: A toolbox of twenty-one strategies kids can use to get along with others. Every child could use help with social skills and making friends. This book provides twenty-one concrete strategies children can use to express themselves, build relationships, end arguments and fights, halt bullying, and beat unhappy feelings. It’s like a toolbox of kid-friendly social skills—just open it up and pull out tools like: Mighty Might, which takes all the fun out of teasing Thought Chop, which helps kids resist self-defeating thoughts Squeaky Wheel, a type of persistence that gets results Coin Toss, a simple way to resolve small conflicts Each tool is clearly described, illustrated with true-to-life examples, and accompanied by dialogue and lines children can practice and use. Authentic stories and anecdotes show each tool in action. This revised and updated second edition incorporates electronic communication, cyberbullying, and social media with age-appropriate guidelines and stories. A note to adults includes up-to-date research on and recommendations for social skills and bullying. For kids, Speak Up and Get Along! makes learning social skills accessible and fun.