EQ and Character Education Curriculum
Unlike other programs that simply encourage children to get along, KinderQ™ teaches the explicit social skills and positive character traits that empower children to do this. Children also learn effective, concrete strategies for managing their behaviour and emotions in positive, healthy ways.
The curriculum was specially designed by a Child Behaviour Specialist, registered psychotherapist, and Kindergarten teacher with over 25 years experience who received direct training from Dr. Daniel Goleman, the Harvard professor and leading pioneer in the field of Emotional Intelligence.
The curriculum consists of daily lessons that are taught in a fun, interactive way through the use of puppets, music, drama, art, storybooks, and games. Each month, the children learn about a different positive character trait along with the specific EQ skills to demonstrate it. Children are taught different traits and skills during each year of Kindergarten:
| Year 1 (J.K. Program) | Year 2 (S.K. Program) | |
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The KinderQ™ mascot, Buzzy the Positive Behaviour Bee, presents each lesson to the children by coming to visit from a magical, faraway land where all the animals and insects can talk and act like humans. Buzzy also brings one of her special “Positive Behaviour Pals” with her each month to help her teach the children about a specific positive character trait.
Please click on the “J.K. Program” and “S.K. Program” tabs at the top of the page for a full description of each of Buzzy’s pals and the traits and skills that they teach.
Overview of Curriculum Skills
Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence
KinderQ™ helps children develop a positive, healthy self-concept by teaching them how to celebrate, accept, and believe in themselves. Skill areas include:
- Celebrating my uniqueness
- Being my own best friend
- Being a “Can-Do Kid!”
Friendship, Cooperation and Social Skills
KinderQ™ teaches children the social skills they need to get along well with others, and to feel an important sense of connection and belonging with their peers. Skills areas include:
- Sharing and playing fairly with others
- Making and keeping friends
- Using good manners with others
Empathy, Emotional Awareness and Emotion Management
KinderQ™ promotes children’s emotional wellness by nurturing their ability to recognize, understand, and manage all their feelings. They also learn how to recognize and care about the feelings of others. Skill areas include:
- Understanding and caring about feelings
- Managing and comforting upset feelings
- Handling and calming down strong feelings
Optimism and Resiliency
KinderQ™ nurtures the inner resources and positive mental habits that enable children to handle the normal challenges of life with optimism, resiliency, and confidence. Skill areas include:
- Thinking positive thoughts
- Having a positive attitude
- Handling challenges and setbacks positively
Self-Regulation and Decision-Making Skills
KinderQ™ teaches children how to think for themselves, and be responsible for their words and actions. Skill areas include:
- Learning to “Stop & Think” before I act or speak
- Making positive choices even when they’re difficult
- Saying no to negative choices
Problem-Solving and Conflict Resolution Skills
KinderQ™ teaches children how to be calm and resourceful when faced with problems and conflicts. Skill areas include:
- Being a positive problem-solver
- Being a capable conflict-solver
- Standing up for myself and others in positive ways
J.K. Curriculum Program: Buzzy and Her Farm Friends
During the first year of Kindergarten, Buzzy introduces children to the following Positive Behaviour Pals who all live on a farm:
Teaches children how to keep places neat and tidy
Teaches children how to speak and listen politely to others
Teaches children how to share and take turns with others
Teaches children how to recognize and understand feelings
Teaches children how to manage and comfort upset feelings
Teaches children how to handle and express strong feelings positively
Teaches children how to help and cooperate with others
Teaches children how to be honest with people and things
S.K. Curriculum Program: Buzzy and Her Forest Friends
During the second year of Kindergarten, Buzzy introduces children to the following Positive Behaviour Pals who all live in a forest:
Teaches children how to treat people and things with care
Teaches children how to follow instructions and say no to negative choices
Teaches children how to be a friend to themselves and others
Teaches children how to appreciate and celebrate differences
Teaches children how to keep themselves safe
Teaches children how to take good care of their bodies
Teaches children how to solve problems and conflicts positively
Teaches children how to think positive thoughts and believe in themselves