Speak Up for Yourself: A Story Teaching Children Self-Advocacy

Book excerpt: Amelia has never been one to be timid. She's confident enough to stand up for others and let people know what she thinks. So why is she having a hard time advocating for herself? When a new seating arrangement lands Amelia next to Billy, a guy who spends all day whining and complaining, Amelia feels trapped. She unloads all her frustrations on her very patient mother. But when Mom starts asking her questions, Amelia quickly realizes that advocating for change and for herself requires a lot more than criticizing others and making demands. Given four simple steps to follow, Amelia starts to hone her ability to selfadvocate. In addition to keeping the skill steps practical, author and school counselor Bryan Smith includes valuable lessons about the importance of HOW you approach others and why sometimes the answer may still be no. This insightful tale is another standout in the popular Without Limits book series, which offers Kindergarten through 5th grade readers wonderful lessons about character and selfconfidence!