PART 2 - The Attributes of Optimistic and Resilient Children
Optimistic and resilient children have the following attributes:
Attribute 1 - Homebase
Optimistic and Resilient children have a homebase, a safe and
predictable relationship that makes them feel secure and confident
enough to venture out and explore the world. The caretaker is a
child's first homebase relationship but as children grow, peer
relationships also provide the security that enable children to
venture out and try new things.
How Paz Models Homebase to Viewers
The innovative structure of the RSL block, with Paz appearing at the
top of each half hour and talking directly to the viewer, makes Paz
feel like the viewer's best friend. The intimacy, consistency and
predictability of this relationship creates a homebase-like
relationship within RSL for the viewer. With the viewer's "best
friend" by his/her side, viewers more confidently experience the
material in the block.
We also model the importance of relationships and of getting support
from others by showcasing the important relationships in Paz's life
in stories. For example in episode number 28, "Fine Feathered
Friends", Paz realizes that he is physically different than his
friends. He is very upset until his friends point out to him that
his differences are his best parts. Thus, through the support of
homebase peer relationships, he comes to accept and like himself
even more.
Attribute 2 - Positive Attributional Style
People explain the good and bad things that happen to them - for
example, someone might think I passed the test because I studied
hard; another might think I failed the test because I had a
headache.
Optimistic and resilient children tend to explain the good and bad
things that happen to them in a way that protects their self esteem
and optimism. This is called a positive attributional style.
A child with a positive attributional style believes he/she is the
cause of good things (I got a soccer goal because I am good at
soccer). But, when something bad happens, a child with a positive
attributional style sees the cause as a temporary outside force (I
missed the soccer goal because the goalie made a lucky save). This
attributional style helps children to continue to expect good things
to happen to them and to feel optimistic about the future.
How Paz Models a Positive Attributional Style to Viewers
Paz models a positive attributional style by highlighting how
characters explain good and bad events to themselves. The show often
demonstrates a character going from a negative way of explaining
things to a more positive way so the difference is clear. For
example, in episode 13, "The Right Moves", Pig tries to teach her
friends a dance she made up, but they get it all wrong. At first,
she thinks this is her fault - she's a bad dance teacher. But then
she realizes that it has nothing to do with her teaching, mistakes
just happen. The change from her feeling at fault for their mistakes
to realizing the mistakes have nothing to do with her models a
change from a negative to a positive attributional style.
Attribute 3 - Problem Solving
Optimistic and resilient children are good problem solvers. They are
aware of their own feelings and those of others. They use these
feeling cues to understand when there is a problem. They also
brainstorm to think of many possible solutions to a problem. Once a
solution is implemented, they evaluate the solution to see if it is
working and revise it as necessary.
How Paz Models Problem Solving to its Viewers
Problem solving is a complex skill, made up of many component skills
(outlined above). Paz models problem solving by focusing on one of
these component skills at a time. In episode # 9, "Kite Flight",
when Paz finds a new kite but is unsure how to fly it, he
brainstorms ideas with his friends until he figures out how to make
it fly.
Attribute 4 - Self Efficacy
Optimistic and resilient children have a strong sense of
self-efficacy. They see themselves as competent and they believe
they can meet challenges. This makes them eager to try new things
and helps them to persevere should obstacles arise.
How Paz Models Self Efficacy to Viewers
To model this attribute, stories were created where characters hang
in and push through obstacles. For example, in episode #12,
"See-Saw", Big Penguin and Paz build a see saw in the yard. Three
friends want to play on it at once but it seems impossible because
one side of the see saw is always too heavy. The friends experiment
with weight until they find a way to all see saw together. Because
the friends persevere, rather than give up, this episode models a
sense of self efficacy.
Attribute 5 - Appropriate Risk Taking
Because optimistic and resilient children feel competent and
responsible for positive outcomes, they are more willing to take
risks. They also feel safe taking risks because they see mistakes as
an inevitable part of the learning process and as an opportunity to
try something again. They do not see mistakes as a source of shame
or punishment. In fact, they welcome pitfalls with good humor and
tenacity.
How Paz Models a Willingness to take Appropriate Risks to Viewers
One important way that Paz encourages viewers to be open to
appropriate risks is by framing mistakes as opportunities to try
again, rather than as a source of shame or punishment. For example,
in episode # 31, "Food for Thought", Pig cooks a batch of blueberry
muffins. Unbeknownst to her, they taste terrible. When her friends
finally tell her the truth, they are worried she will be upset by
the mistake. Instead, she sees her mistake as an opportunity and
rather than eat them, she uses the muffins to play hide the muffin
with her friends.
Attribute 6 - Setting Realistic Goals
Optimistic and resilient children are aware that they have strengths
and weaknesses. They use this knowledge to set realistic goals for
themselves, goals that are challenging but not too frustrating. This
helps these children to succeed and experience a sense of mastery
which reinforces all their other positive attributes.
How Paz Models Setting Realistic Goals to Viewers
On Paz, characters are often shown trying something new. Characters
set goals that are too ambitious and then have to revise them. As we
show our characters scaling down goals and asking for help, viewers
realize its ok for them to do this, too. For example in episode # 4,
"Red Scooter", Pappy teaches Paz how to ride his scooter. Scootering
is more difficult than it looks though, and Paz has to reset his
goal and learn to ride, one step at a time. By modeling that skills
take time to develop, that you can't expect to do something well the
first time, and that it's ok to scale back and ask for help, we
model to viewers how to be realistic in their goal setting.
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