Assertiveness is a necessary part of establishing safety and trust in relationships.  Many kids will tell you that saying "no" to a person, even in a kind way, is not the "kindest choice".  

In this class, students will learn that "no" can be a kind choice by discussing three different ways people communicate their needs: passive, assertive, and aggressive. I will use age-appropriate examples and illustrations to help learners understand these three styles of communication:

Passive: Thinking of others but not myself. 
Assertive: Thinking of others and myself.
Aggressive: Thinking only of myself. 

We will start by discussing how to say "no" in a kind way. Together, we will practice recognizing different responses and communication styles to decide which one is best in a given situation.  Learners will practice how to respond to someone who is feeling sad because we said "no".

My style of teaching is very student-led.  I facilitate discussions by asking a lot of questions.  Students will learn from their peer's responses by testing their ideas using illustrations and different prompts.  

Class Format
Welcome: "Would You Rather" (it gets silly)
Lesson: "The Kind No" Assertive Communication
Practice 
Summary
Goodbye