LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION TOOLKIT FOR ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN INDIA• 11
Objectives
At the end of the session the children will learn that:
- People have different positions of power, and
this can affect how we communicate; - Behaviors that are aggressive or passive can
make a child vulnerable; - Assertive skills reduce vulnerability; and
- Assertiveness is essential for communicating in a
manner that explains what you want in a clear
manner without being aggressive or passive.
Key Points
Status is important in teaching assertiveness because it
makes the children understand power and about
being dominant or submissive. Showing or acting
status is different from social status. Someone of a
low social status can show high status in a certain
situation. An example would be a sex worker telling a
client that he has an STI. Whether we realize it or not,
we all play status games in our lives.
Assertiveness is different from aggressive and
passive behavior. It is a more balanced response.
Both in speaking and in our body language, we can
show we are assertive. If we place our bodies in
an assertive position, it makes it easier to speak
assertively.
Life Skills Learned
Critical thinking, communication and
decision-making.
Time Required
Activity one: 45 minutes.
Activity two: 30 minutes.
Materials
Activity One: Chairs.
Other activities: Marker pens, chart paper and
cello tape.
Session Two: Effective Communication