Story Name:  Dealing with negative influences and peer pressure and coming out a winner

Teacher’s Notes:

a.  Key topic

Through our story we explain the concepts of negative influences and peer pressure and how peer pressure can be harmful.  We further demonstrate how peer pressure occurs and how kids can deal with it in a positive way by standing their ground and showing leadership.

b.  Concepts Introduced to the kids through the Story

• Define the concept of negative influence and peer pressure
• Explain that peer pressure is powerful because it is subtle and it is not directly forced on anyone
• Communicate to the kids that the view and opinions of peers are only theirs and they don’t reflect on them

c.  Learning objectives for the Kids

• Understand the sources of negative influences and peer pressure
• Recognize how to avoid negative influences
• Realize that when faced with peer pressure they should talk to trusted adults whether these are parents, teachers or other family members or family friends
• Find ways to fight peer pressure

d.  Tips for Teaching through Storytelling

When teaching youngsters we need to use a slightly different approach than when teaching adults, meaning that youngsters relate better to visuals, examples and stories (real life examples/stories are even better) and interactive technology.  Also, young kids do not need a lot of jargon, they need a much simpler vocabulary that they can understand.  In addition, the teacher has to figure out a way to relate to the kids and there are a number of things that can be done in this direction from the type of clothes the teachers wear, to the language they use, the way they move about in the class, etc.

Storytelling is more than just reading the words of a story out loud.  It takes other skills as well.  It is important for teachers to use different tones in their voice when they are telling a story.  If the teacher’s voice stays at the same level it becomes boring!  The teacher will want their voice to go higher and lower, louder and softer.  Teachers should try to use different voices for different characters and make sure that they speak loud enough so that everyone hears them, and say the words clearly so that everyone can understand them.

Teachers should also have in mind that storytelling is not just words; it is motion as well.  They will have to move around when they tell their story; they should use their arms, legs, hands and their face to tell the story.  In addition, they have to make sure to maintain eye contact with their audience.  Eye contract is one of the most important non-verbal ways to connect with other people.  It helps keep the attention of the audience and it also conveys a sense of confidence and truthfulness.  It is best that teachers always look directly into the kids’ eyes; they will connect with them and keep their attention longer.

e.  In-class discussion after the storytelling

• Explain how peer pressure works and ask the kids for some examples either from their life or that they know of.  Follow with a discussion of their examples.
• Explain that it is OK to say NO when you are pushed in an uncomfortable situation and ask the kids for some examples either from their life or that they know of.  Follow with a discussion of their examples.
• Ask the kids the following questions and discuss their answers.  Usually there is time to take and discuss the answers of 2 to 3 kids.

• • What happened with Lucius cousin?  Was he forced into smoking?
  • What could Lucius’ cousin have done differently?

The Story

It is the beginning of the new school year and Mr. Soccerball’s group at the Soccertopia Eagles Academy is excited to be back to school, back to soccer practice and of course excited to be getting together with their school and soccer academy friends.  This year is an important year for these kids as they have said goodbye to elementary school and they are now in middle school.  Starting middle school has made Madya, Lucius, Fiducius and their friends, feel that they are not kids anymore, knowing they will soon be considered teenagers.

Mr. Soccerball has noticed how a number of kids in his soccer group have different, more teenage looking haircuts and are dressed in a more teenage-looking way.  He decides that now is the right time to talk to them about peer pressure and how to deal with it.

The kids have gathered round after their practice for their first chat of the school year and they are all very bubbly as they are chatting with each other.

-I want to welcome you all back, said Mr. Soccerball.  It is good to see you and I must say, you all look like you have grown so much.  It is amazing how much you have grown within the past couple of months that I have not seen you guys.

-We are in middle school now Mr. Soccerball, it is not like we are kids anymore, said Madya.

-Of course, I do know that, replied Mr. Soccerball; you are about to enter teenage life and I think today is a good day to talk about something which can be a challenge at your age.

-What is that Mr. Soccerball? asked Lucius.

-Well, today I want to talk about peer pressure and how you can deal with it, said Mr. Soccerball.  But first I want you to tell me if you know what peer pressure means and what it is all about.

-Isn’t it when you choose to do something you would not normally do because you want to be accepted by your friends?  said in a hesitant tone Lucius.

-That’s what it is Lucius, it isn’t something you do against your will, you choose to do it to become part of a group of friends, a peer group, said Mr. Soccerball.  Can you think of an example Lucius?

-Mmm, mumbled Lucius, my cousin who is 14 years old was caught smoking with two of his friends by my uncle.  It seems that he started smoking because he was hanging out with these ‘popular kids’ who pushed him into smoking because they thought smoking was cool.

-Sir, Madya cut in, I have a couple of kids in my neighborhood who are about 13 years old and they have been skipping school regularly and when their parents were notified by the school, they found out that their kids were hanging out with the wrong crowd, some older kids who thought that skipping school and spending the day at the arcade instead, was really cool.

-Good examples Lucius and Madya, said Mr. Soccerball.  I believe you got the picture kids.  So what do you think these kids could have done different?

-It is difficult to say sir, replied Lucius.  Because my cousin and the other kids, Madya’s neighbors, were not really forced into smoking or skipping school, they chose to do it because they wanted to be cool, like the guys there were hanging out with.

-I know how difficult it is when you are in such a situation Lucius, said Mr. Soccerball.  Nearly everyone ends up in a sticky peer pressure situation at some point.  But, let me give you a piece of advice.  I don’t want you to think that I am lecturing you guys, but choosing your friends is very important.  When you were little kids, your parents usually chose your friends, putting you in play groups or arranging play dates with children they knew and liked.  Now that you are older, you get to decide who your friends are and what group you spend time with.  As you become more independent, your friends play a greater role in your life.  It is natural to be influenced by your friends because you want to fit in, be like the friends you admire, do what they are doing or have what they have.

-So we need to choose our friends wisely sir, said Madya.

-Yes Madya, I believe that you should be doing that, said Mr. Soccerball.  But no matter how wisely you choose your friends or how well you think you know them, at times you may end up having to make decisions that are difficult and could be unpopular.

– So what do we do in this case sir?  asked Fiducius.

-There are a number of things you can do, replied Mr. Soccerball.  Now, I want you all to listen carefully.  Are you guys ready?

-Yes sir! everybody shouted.

-OK, here it is, said Mr. Soccerball.  First you have to listen to your gut.  If you feel uncomfortable, even if your friends seem to be OK with what’s going on, it means that something about the situation is wrong for you.

-But still, what do we do?  asked Fiducius.

-Learn to feel comfortable with saying “no” replied the coach.  With good friends you should never have to offer an explanation.

-But what if they insist sir, said Fiducius.

-In that case Fiducius, said Mr. Soccerball, you should not hesitate to get an adult’s help.  You can arrange a “bail-out” code phrase which you can use with your parents in a text message without losing face with your friends.

-Kids, I want you to always remember this when you find yourself in such a situation, continued Mr. Soccerball.  It is not always easy to resist negative peer pressure, but when you do, it is easy to feel good about it afterwards.  And you may even be a positive influence on your friends who feel the same way – usually it only takes one person to speak out to change a situation.  Your friends may follow if you have courage to refuse to go along with the group.  Consider yourself a leader, and know that you have the power to make a difference.

-Wow, this is so inspiring Mr. Soccerbal, said Lucius.

-Yes it is and I will always remember it, said Madya with a smile of gratitude on her face as she came up with these lines:

Don’t be scared to say no

When you are pushed into doing wrong

Be polite and stand your ground

Lead the way and be proud

-I think you have nailed it Madya, said Mr. Soccerball with a smile on his face.  So kids now you know what to say when pushed into doing something you don’t really want to do.

-Yes sir, said all the kids in a loud voice:  Just Say No!