"Dare 2B Fair: Embracing the Power of Words" is a 33 day guided practice for improving communication skills. It allows children and adults alike to consider our communication patterns; to see even subtle intolerance and violence in how we talk; and gives us a chance to practice new approaches one day at a time.

Every day, (or in a school setting 5 days a week)a short reading is provided which either allows the participant to observe communication patterns, to ponder motivation and effectiveness, and/or to try new approaches. The goal is to create more peaceful and respectful exchanges between people.

Problem

Children and adults are quite busy hurling insults rather than engaging in productive dialogue. For children this can lead to bullying. Adults do it too, sometimes on talk shows, sometimes by showing an opponent through crosshairs, sometimes through violence. I would like to see this in schools where it would take about 10 minutes a day. I would like to reach adult groups, perhaps parent groups, women's groups, peace groups.

Solution

The solution is in the new awareness gained from the daily practice to enhance how we interact and build community. Here are elements of my pilot program as I understand it today. Right now I have a colleague who wants to bring this into her child's private school. I plan on building a small team of teachers willing to bring this for an experimental run into their classrooms. I may also outreach to my grad school as an alum, to a local book club, to various family members and friends to complete. I would then have them return a questionnaire about their results.

Exemple

Before teacher reads, for example, Day 2 of the Dare 2B Fair tip for the day, she asks what the students learned the day before when they practiced, "First Take A Breath." She shares that she changed her communication dynamic with her own child when they had a chat about homework. Children learn a listening skill, a self evaluation skill, an empathy skill from listening to the teacher share. They learn an alternative to a knee jerk reaction in communication.

Marché

The truth is, I haven't a clue at this point who my peers are.