parents swinging their kids on swings

Skill-Building Opportunities

Custom resources to reframe challenging moments into learning opportunities, created in partnership with Mind in the Making’s Ellen Galinsky. Made possible by the Bezos Family Foundation.

Developing Key Skills from Challenging Moments

example of Ellen Galinsky's skill building resources

First Book is excited to collaborate with Ellen Galinsky and Erin Ramsey of Mind in the Making at the Bezos Family Foundation to help educators and families learn to view challenging moments with children ages 4-8 as opportunities to develop key skills that every child needs. We surveyed 2,500 First Book members and parents/guardians to identify the behavioral challenges educators and the families they serve face most frequently. Using feedback and the science of learning and brain development, we’ve created a series of clear, actionable resources that educators can use to engage with families, as well as take advantage of in the classroom or program. This resource and series are especially critical as we continue to work through the pandemic and its related stress and trauma.

The Bezos Family Foundation is an independent nonprofit foundation whose mission is to invest in the science of learning and the experiences that youth from prenatal through young adulthood need to pursue their own path for success.

Download the Newest Resources

New resources are added weekly, download each to read and share with colleagues or parents/guardians.

young child upside down on a couch, bored skill building

Bored

Is “I’m bored” a constant complaint in your home? Use these tips to help your child identify their interests and find new ways to learn and have fun. Available in Spanish.

young black girl unhappy in front of a school bus, skill building

Doesn’t Want to Go to School

Does your child complain about being bored at school? Use these tips to help them become more enthusiastic about school and learning. Available in Spanish.

upset child with his arms crossed

Skill-Building Opportunities Resource Series

Get the resource series in your inbox

First Book educators can opt-in to the series at any time to receive a weekly email with simple, research-based strategies that shift the mindset from adversity to opportunity for both kids and adults. This resource is especially critical as we continue to work through the pandemic and its related stress and trauma. The resources are formatted to share quickly and easily with parents and caregivers – in English and Spanish. Bookmark this page so you can directly download each strategy as they are made available.

What’s Included?

Tangible tips and solutions that support and address issues such as:

  • ​​​​What do I do when my child swears in public?
  • How can I help my child communicate difficult feelings?
  • Why does my child have meltdowns whenever it’s time to stop what they’re doing?

Focus and Self-Control

upset child with head on her hand

Attention Seeking

Children need focus and self-control to manage distractions and achieve their goals. Attention-seeking behavior is an opportunity to help children build skills. Available in Spanish.

skill building opportunity, child struggling with homework

Struggling with Homework

Tired of homework battles? These strategies will help your child manage their time and master focus and self-control. Available in Spanish.

little kid on a phone, screen time, skill building

Screen Time

Do you have trouble pulling your child away from their device? These tips will help them build healthy screen habits and develop focus and self-control. Available in Spanish.

distracted girl not doing homework

Gets Distracted

Does your child tend to get distracted? These tips will help you encourage their focus and self-control – skills needed to complete tasks and succeed in life. Available in Spanish.

Communicating

upset child refusing to talk

Refuse to Talk

Does your child clam up when there’s a conflict or challenge? Use these tips to help them identify their feelings and communicate their thoughts calmly. Available in Spanish.

child sitting on a couch with crossed arms and a bad attitude

Talking Back

Does your child talk back? Use these tips to help them learn to express themselves with respect. Available in Spanish.

emotional outbursts, skill building

Emotional Breakdowns

Does your child have trouble sharing strong emotions without outbursts? Use these tips to teach ways to express big feelings. Available in Spanish.

young child with mouth open yelling

Inappropriate Language

Communicating involves figuring out what we want to say and how our words affect others. Self-control involves resisting the urge to go on auto-pilot and instead, doing what we need to do to reach a goal. Available in Spanish.

little girl screaming while trying to play

Helping Kids Play

Are angry outbursts keeping your child from making friends? Use these tips to help them make and keep friends. Available in Spanish.

Taking on Challenges

mom sitting with daughter who is resisting a transition

Transitions

Does your child struggle when it’s time for bed or to clean up toys? Use these tips to help smooth transitions. Available in Spanish.

black girl sitting with a basketball on a bench, skill building

Sportsmanship

Does your child have a hard time losing at games and sports? Use these tips to help them strengthen self-control and learn good sportsmanship. Available in Spanish.

young black girl, upset with hand in heads

Easily Frustrated

Is your child easily frustrated? These strategies for handling challenges and setbacks can help them practice managing those feelings. Available in Spanish.

disappointed and upset child, skill building

Managing Disappointment

Does your child have trouble dealing with disappointment? Check out these tips to help kids improve their ability to take on challenges positively. Available in Spanish.

Get Tips on Your Phone

Text SKILLS to 89304 to opt-in for First Book Updates.

Opt-in to receive the Opportunity Mindset Tips series from First Book. Reply HELP to 89304 for help, STOP to 89304 to end. Message and data rates may apply.

Who Is It For?

Our Opportunity Mindset Tips are designed for both educators and parents/caregivers to turn a common frustration into a teachable moment. These are research-based strategies to help shift the mindset from adversity to opportunity for both kids and adults. New resources will be added weekly.

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asian father reading with his two sons, family engagement resources

Perspective Taking

two kids refusing to share ice cream

Refuses to Share

Does your child have trouble sharing? Use these tips to help them learn to listen and understand how others feel. Available in Spanish.

young girl playing with legos at a table

Taking Care of Things

Dos your child not take care of their belongings? Use these tips to explain respect and consideration for others. Available in Spanish.

young white child looking upset with his head in his hand

Not Listening

Does your child have trouble listening? Use these tips to help them learn how to respect and respond to different perspectives. Available in Spanish.

upset kid on couch, screaming

Name Calling

Does your child name-call when frustrated or angry? Use these tips to teach how to communicate without hurting feelings. Available in Spanish.

kid sitting on the ground, feeling left out

Leaving Out

Does your child exclude other kids from playing? Use these tips to find out why and encourage empathy. Available in Spanish.

Critical Thinking

daughter and mom cleaning the floor together

Cleaning Up

Does your child disappear at clean-up time? Use these tips to help teach them to take responsibility for their belongings and have fun while tidying up. Available in Spanish.

child with fingers crossed behind their back, skill building

Lying

Does your child tell lies? Use these tips to help show them the importance of telling the truth. Available in Spanish.

young boy stealing money, skill building

Stealing

Need help explaining to your child why stealing is not okay? Figure out what’s causing the behavior and teach them to respect others and their belongings. Available in Spanish.

Webinar Playback, Watch Now

Five strategies and a mindset that works

Watch our latest webinar with Ellen Galinsky, the Chief Science Officer at the Bezos Family Foundation and author of the book, Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs, and with Erin Ramsey, the Senior Manager of Mind in the Making at the Foundation. Watch to learn:

  • Why this resource is needed now—as we work through the pandemic
  • The research behind dealing with challenging moments
  • How this resource supports your family engagement strategy
young girl smiling while sitting on the floor of a classroom

Making Connections

Making a Mess

Does your child leave a mess everywhere? These tips will help teach them to be more organized, an important skill for school and in life. Available in Spanish.

Self-Directed, Engaged Learning

acting out at school, skill building opportunity

Acting Out in School

Is your child getting in trouble and acting out in school? Use these tips to figure out what’s causing the behavior and how to help them become an engaged learner. Available in Spanish.

child raising their hand in a classroom

Non-Stop Questions

Use these tips to encourage curiosity while also teaching kids to find some answers on their own. Available in Spanish.

young boy doing chores with his mom, skill building opportunity

Chores & Responsibilities

Hard to get your child to do chores? Tips to make chores an opportunity to practice taking responsibility and setting goals. Available in Spanish.

young child upside down on a couch, bored skill building

Bored

Is “I’m bored” a constant complaint in your home? Use these tips to help your child identify their interests and find new ways to learn and have fun. Available in Spanish.

young black girl unhappy in front of a school bus, skill building

Doesn’t Want to Go to School

Does your child complain about being bored at school? Use these tips to help them become more enthusiastic about school and learning. Available in Spanish.

In Partnership With

bezos family foundation
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