Family Book Club - Taking A Stand: Pre-K & Kindergarten

As soon as they’re learning to take their first steps, TODDLERS ARE learning to take their first stands…

At this age, many children seem inclined to take many stands: about food, clothes, bedtimes, and every like / dislike in between! These stories can help children think about channeling that feistiness for the good of a friend who needs a champion in their corner.

Below you’ll find books and activities that are appropriate for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten around the concept of “Taking A Stand.”

GREAT BOOKS & CONVOS

My Friend Maggie

By Hannah E. Harrison

Why We LOVE This Book

As adults we are tested to take a stand at work, in public, or in conversations. For little ones, those tests happen on the playground and at school. This sweet story depicts two friends who are great pals until a “mean girl” (Veronica) comes along and convinces Paula to abandon Maggie. When Paula becomes a target of Veronica’s bullying, Maggie takes a stand to protect her friend. Loyalty, kindness, and forgiveness are all bundled together with big, charming illustrations. This one will strike a chord with young ones, trust me.

Conversation Launchers

Why do you think Veronica is acting the way she does? Why do the other kids go along with her?
Why does Maggie stick up for Paula after she was mean to her?
What did Paula learn in this book?
In some parts of the story, Maggie’s size is a good thing but then Veronica and Paula start to think it’s a bad thing. What do you think?

INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES

Keep the conversation going!

Dig Deeper – Talk together about what it means to stand up for a friend. Have you ever defended someone the way that Maggie did? Has anyone ever taken a stand for you?
Create – Draw a picture for a friend. You might label it with words that make that friend special in your child’s eyes:

Keep Reading – If your child loved this book, you can follow up with another book by the same author, Extraordinary Jane. It’s a nice opportunity to go deeper into an important idea that what makes us unique (like Maggie’s size) makes us special.

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I Walk With Vanessa

By Kerascoet

Why We LOVE This Book

This wordless picture book beautifully depicts an age-appropriate story about how one small child’s act of kindness can lift another child out of the fear and pain inflicted by a bully. As this one child takes a stand, others follow her example. With diverse and charmingly drawn characters, young children will be drawn to the details in the illustrations. Tips at the back of the book provide parents with specific support for having important conversations with their children around the concept of bullying.

Conversation Launchers

Is there a child in this story who reminds you of yourself? Show me which child it is. Why did you pick that child?
Have you ever seen a child being picked on by a bully? Tell me about it.
What could you do if you see someone being pick on?
“Taking a stand” means that you do something that shows what you believe, even if it’s hard. Who took a stand in this book?

INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES

Keep the conversation going!

Make A Friendship Book – The little girl in the story takes her new friend’s hand and shows her that she will be kind. Who are your hand-holding friends? Make a book with your child: Have them draw a picture of each friend on a page and clearly write the friend’s first name or a short sentence about the friend below the picture.
Sing Along / Watch Along & Discuss – Don’t Be a Bully! Song (Sesame Street) Won’t You Stand Up? Song (Peace Project Student School Group) // Stand Up! Video / April Learns to Stand Up to Bullies Video / Standing Up to a Bully – Sesame Street Video

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The Recess Queen

By Alexis O’Neill & Laura Huliska-Beith

Why We LOVE This Book

If the concept of a playground bully can be funny, then Mean Jean is the funniest one you could imagine! “If kids ever crossed her, she’d push ‘em and smoosh ‘em, lollapaloosh ‘em…” But one day tiny Katie Sue joins the class and doesn’t play by Mean Jean’s rules, because she’s too busy having fun herself. With humor and kindness, she takes a stand against Mean Jean and the playground is never the same!

Conversation Launchers

Have you ever played with somebody who was a little like Mean Jean? What happened?
Did you feel sorry for anybody in this story? Who / Why?
How do you think the other kids feel about Katie Sue? Why?
Why do you think Mean Jean is so mean?
Why didn’t Mean Jean “smoosh” or “lollapaloosh” Katie Sue?
“Taking a stand” means that you do something that shows what you believe, even if it’s hard. Who took a stand in this book?

INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES

Keep the conversation going!

Cooperative Play – Good old fashioned playground games (like jumping rope) are a great way to build friendships. Here are some fun examples to teach your child, so they can invite others: Anna Banana: 101 Jump Rope Rhymes (J. Cole) & Great Games for Young Children (R. Pica)
Brainstorm Snappy Comebacks – Katie Sue’s funny response (“How DID you get to be so bossy?”) surprised Mean Jean. Parents often tell children to “use your words,” but it can be hard to come up with a snappy response on the spot. Brainstorm together some “snappy comebacks” that your child can use to diffuse future conflicts.
Create – Get out the crayons and paper and make an “anti-bullying” poster together. What message would your child like to tell other kids who might think about being a bully? (Example: “Don’t be a Mean Jean. Play nicely together!”) After your child decorates the poster, display it in the house, or maybe post it at the playground together?

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Resources for OTHER AGE GROUPS

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