The Barnyard Buddies STOP for Peace – Teaching kids conflict resolution
The Barnyard Buddies(n. 伙伴，好朋友, buddy的复数形式) STOP for Peace is an endearing(adj. 可爱的；讨人喜欢的) picture book with an important lesson on life skills. The animals in the story have a problem, someone is not sharing. As they lament over their woes, anger rises, and with anger is chaos.(当他们为自己的不幸而悲伤时，愤怒就会上升，而愤怒则是混乱。) Until one wise friend gives a helpful piece of advice: STOP!
Conflict is a part of life, but how we cope with(处理，应付) it changes our lives. In this charmingly(adv. 迷人地；快乐地) illustrated story, the Barnyard Buddies show children and adults, how solving a problem peacefully makes things better. They learn to use four simple, rhyming(adj. 押韵的) steps starting with Stop and breathe when angry, that young and old alike can benefit from practicing. This book gives families the tools they need to improve communication and get along(进展 相处 相处融洽).
What readers say about Barnyard Buddies STOP for Peace:
“There are two common responses we have towards conflict: we either avoid it or we attack the person who hurt us. By not talking about it, we enable its roots to grow deeper in our hearts, making a rather shallow(adj. 浅的, 浅层的；n. [地理] 浅滩) issue become our source of bitterness(n. 苦味；苦难) towards another person. On the other hand, when we attack the person, we create an even bigger tension(n.紧张 张力) in our relationship. The book, The Barnyard Buddies STOP for Peace by Julie Penshorn, tackles the issue of conflict and how it can be resolved in a manner that would help everyone involved in the dispute(n. 辩论；争吵) come out of it better, not bitter. . . .I can say that buying this book is a very good investment . . . I cannot think of anything that I did not like about it. The author did a great job in this book, it deserves a 4 out of 4 stars rating!- Online Book Club。
Banyard Buddies teaches kids to stop and think and talk it out in a calm way. IT also gives a really cool rhyming acronym:
S – Stop and Breath: no one can talk calmly when angry, it’s important to take a few deep breaths, become calm and so learn to develop perspective.
T – Tell how you feel: Talk out your feelings with the party you have a problem with, most conflict comes from not sharing feelings, remember to use “I” phrases, (not you).
O – Open your mind: Try to see the other’s perspective, don’t be closed only to your own way.
P – Plan a deal: Work out a solution that fits for everyone.
Approximate reading time: 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how much discussion you might have.
Following the book is further explanation of the S-T-O-P process, and some ideas for exercises, lesson plans, and a mentoring program plan for teenagers to help younger children learn to deal with conflict.
This book is also available on Amazon.
Julie Penshorn’s Website, https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com , has some more great information for teaching life skills to children.