At one time or other, every child has wanted to become a super hero or a super version of themselves. Now children in public primary schools across the country have the opportunity to become "super kids" by participating in a program called "Super Me!".
"Super Me!," founded in 2008 by Cori Ashley, Kevin Ferguson and others of Global Shifts, is an internationally acclaimed interactive character-building program for children at the primary school level. It works on a foundation of people's inherent abilities to love, learn, connect, communicate and, when self-motivated appropriately, to succeed.
It aims to build self-confident children who can grow to become a positive shift in the world. "Super Me!" focuses less on the students' errors and more on their successes. The program thrives on positive action and life lessons, celebrating children while teaching them that their lives matter. The program of constant reinforcement of success is not only educational, but also allows for mental and psychological positive transformation.
How
"Super Me!" activities cater to children's natural abilities, creativity and sense of fun. Every activity, which usually runs for 15 minutes, attempts to emphasize the student's talents and ends with a morale-boosting message of how "super" the student is for completing the activity. Examples of "Super Me!" activities include:
"Super Me! Super School Celebration": Students can draw and create their school's end of year celebration. After utilizing their natural creative talents, the students are asked what they created and how they used their leadership, marketing and teamwork skills, and all the other parts of them to make the celebration.
"Making Great Waves!": Students write thank-you letters to those who have affected them throughout their lives. It teaches the students about the importance of gratitude and thanking those around them -- be it their parents, teachers, neighbors, policemen, firemen or anyone else they feel has helped them in their life. The activity encourages the act of paying it forward, where the recipient of the letter will be encouraged to pay the kindness forward and give gratitude to someone else.
The official "Super Me! Dance": Allows students to express their joy, positivity and "super powers" in a fun and tangible way. The lyrics speak to believing in themselves and striving to be who they want to be in life, reinforcing the children's acceptance of their "super selves".
"Super Me!" not only caters to children, but also provides programs for teachers, parents, care-givers and school administrators to use with their children outside of the classroom.
Why
One of "Super Me!'s" key messages is, that what they send out is what they create more of. What they call the ripple effect is the core of their vision -- creating "super children" who would make a positive shift in the world. By ingraining such positive concepts into children's minds at a young age, they believe it would create more positive paths for their future so that they can grow to become confident people who strive to help their communities. With the right confidence and motivation, they believe the children have a better chance of achieving their goals and thriving in society.
Results
Encouraging results have already been seen in schools using "Super Me!" across The Bahamas, with a positive increase in participation, self-esteem, conflict resolution, attitude and respect.
"The dreams and super powers were revealed and spoken aloud, when - before - they were unknown or hidden," said Darnelle Forbes, fifth grade teacher at Columbus Primary.
Where
"Super Me!" has grown its presence in The Bahamas and is now being applied in all 24 government primary schools including Columbus Primary, Albury Sayle, Centreville Primary, Uriah McPhee, Claridge Primary, Sadie Curtis Primary, Gerald Cash on New Providence as well as schools in the Family Islands. It has been implemented directly into the schools' curriculum. Additionally, a special needs "Super Me!" unit will work with officials at Our Lady's and Stapledon Schools on Saturday January 17 to train teachers in the "Super Me!" system.
When
During "Super Me!" week, January 12-16, founders Cori Ashley and Kevin Ferguson along with Dr. Willard Barr, chairman of character education and director of planning at the Ministry of Education; Zoe Powell, chief officer of guidance counselors, district superintendents and Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Jerome Fitzgerald, will visit schools to share in the "Super Me!" program experience and successes.
SUPER ME! WEEK AGENDA
Wednesday, January 14
10 a.m.-12 noon -- Albury Sayle
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. -- Centreville Primary
Thursday, January 15
9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m. -- Uriah McPhee
10:45 a.m. - 11:45 am. -- Columbus Primary
12:15 a.m.-1:15 a.m. -- Claridge Primary
1:45 a.m.-2:45 a.m. -- Sadie Curtis Primary
Friday, January 16
11 a.m. - Gerald Cash
11:45 a.m. - "Super Me!" Dance (All students and educators to do the "Super Me! Dance" together in unity. Dance instruction and song download at supermeprogram.com/superme-song-dance).
6:30 p.m. - Principal's appreciation party at Mario's Bowling & Entertainment Palace.
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