By Tim Kelly
Only a few spots remain open for a nationally recognized, anti-bullying program being offered locally.
The workshop offers the opportunity to participate in a revolutionary way to respond to bullying issues.
Barbara Gilmour, an Ocean City resident and the creative force behind Cool Kind Kid, is striving to redefine what is “cool,” and explaining to kids in a fun and engaging way that the kind kid is the cool kid.
She also illustrates quite plainly why bullies and the bullying mentality are the essence of “uncool.”
Using books, music, activities, school assemblies and other tools, Gilmour’s program begins with social skills training as the first line of defense against bullying.
“The seed of bullying is planted with rudeness,” said Gilmour, whose Cool Kind Kid strategies have earned her 15 national awards, including Parents and Teachers Choice accolades. “If the rudeness isn’t checked, situations can escalate to disruptive behavior and possibly even violence.”
She noted that traditional reactive responses to bullying don’t work.
“Let’s provide our children with fun, engaging proactive techniques,” she explained.
A series of entertaining and informative social skills classes will take place in Ocean City beginning May 8.
There are four two-hour classes, which include snacks and some Cool Kind Kid swag. The program culminates with a class at an area restaurant to focus on table manners.
Good table manners, somewhat of a lost art with the rise of fast food, make a comeback with the Cool Kind Kid program.
The program is educational with a curriculum developed by holders of doctoral degrees in education and linguistics.
Cool Kind Kid examines real life social situations and outlines why kindness, empathy, good manners and tolerance are the cool choices over bullying behaviors.
Class sizes are small to ensure each child receives individual attention. Parents and/or teachers are encouraged to act quickly to reserve one of the final seats.
There is still time to register. For more information, call 609-398-1949 or visit the website www.coolkindkid.com/social-skills-classes/
