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.
> Our Solutions > Skill-Building Opportunities Developing Key Skills from Challenging Moments
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Talking Back
Does your child talk back? Use these tips to help them learn to express themselves with respect. Available in Spanish.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Easily Frustrated
Is your child easily frustrated? These strategies for handling challenges and setbacks can help them practice managing those feelings. Available in Spanish.
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.
Perspective Taking
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Lying
Does your child tell lies? Use these tips to help show them the importance of telling the truth. Available in Spanish.
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
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 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.
Non-Stop Questions
Use these tips to encourage curiosity while also teaching kids to find some answers on their own. Available in Spanish.
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.
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.
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
