Tools for good parenting
What makes BUDDI 4Kids unique?
Why is BUDDI 4Kids any different from all the other self help books offering parenting guidance? Many of us bought the books, read the first couple of chapters, used the ideas for 2 or 3 days then went back to the same old habits.
BUDDI 4Kids uses a simple approach:
Be prepared to respond constructively to those difficult moments we all experience.
Make it a habit to really see and challenge things, recognising they can be better.
Learn to change your routines when something is not working well for you.
Be committed to making life easier and more fulfilling.
No time to read a book
BUDDI 4Kids is a fun and funky tool kit that you can dip into as and when you need. Be prepared for those dreaded moments when faced with challenging behaviour BUDDI 4Kids fits easily into daily life. The kit is in two parts; the front for you to use as a team with your child/ren and the back, for you, to brush up on your own life skills to be a better role model.
'The whole concept of the 2 sided book and the cards is great, more 'bite sized' information than if presented in one ordinary book' - Mrs Trethaway, childminding network coordinator
Be prepared!
The 5 steps of BUDDI are repeated throughout the kit, teaching your family to face everyday issues and deal with them a vital habit to help cope well with daily life. Follow the steps and you will get results.
'The acrostics (mnemonics) were brilliant and would be very helpful for adults and children alike to remember them!' Mrs G, year 4 Teaching Assistant
Small changes can make the biggest difference
Rome wasn't built in a day and like everything worth doing it's worth doing well the secret is to make it a good experience. BUDDI 4Kids mixes into your daily routine, using tried and tested techniques and coaching practises, showing how to make small bites sized changes rather than expecting to change everything in one hit; it's much easier to do.
Make it work for you
There is no right or wrong way to use BUDDI 4Kids. Get some of the techniques under your belt initially and build from there, all at your own pace. Use all of the kit or some of it whichever suits you and your family best.
'I love the content. There is an emphasis on the fact that all children and situations will be different and that there is no one right way to help' - Mary-Ann, Truro
Why flashcards and characters?
Children love flashcards and images, they are proven to help them digest information easily both visually and through repetition a great way to keep them interested whilst delivering and reinforcing all the messages in the kit.
You might find it really beneficial to have a set of flashcards for each of your children, to play with and to learn about the BUDDI and Hotspot characters, their catchphrases, signals and their characteristics good traits you can encourage them to relate to and copy. Use the cards to spend special time together being creative, exploring ideas, inventing games & working as a team.
'BUDDI 4Kids is written in a style that will appeal to children with the colourful BUDDI characters and charts etc, and also allows parents to take in the information in a way that is relevant to them' Sara Hooper, Childminder and Mum.
'My five-year-old son loves the BUDDIs and actually thinks the hotspot is quite cute, although he understands that he's really a baddy!' - Mrs M, Mum
'I have the kit on show in the playroom and use it when the children need a BUDDI, which is not as often now' - Mrs T Shipman, mum of 2
Quick wins
One of the quickest ways to see improvements is to get your house in order by looking at your daily routines and asking what can change? Implement some effective 'HOUSE RULES' that will give you control and free up time to be more proactive rather than reactive. BUDDI 4Kids will show you lots of techniques and ideas to make this happen.
A reward scheme with a difference
BUDDI 4Kids recognises that to create new habits needs motivation, so the kit includes BUDDI Points, where points make prizes; the prizes can be anything that inspires your children money, treats, sweets, toys, days out, etc - see our website 'Ideas Corner' for hints and tips. BUDDI Points puts 'the children in charge' giving them responsibility and ownership of their rewards system whatever their age you can help the younger ones; encouraging good behaviour, teaching them to negotiate and to think about what they do. They're also learning about numbers - adding up, subtracting and working out how many points and prizes they will earn! All this makes it very appealing, effective and sustainable.
'My son likes the idea of the rewards and is keen to point out hotspots, especially mine! We have had fun resolving arguments and conflicts as they arise, and he appreciates the idea of avoiding hotspots. His self-esteem is definitely higher as he feels in control of his behaviour and can see the rewards building up on his chart.' Nicky, Guernsey
Traditional family values & teamwork
Creating a better home environment is the responsibility of everyone who shares the house not just Mum or Dad. BUDDI 4Kids shows you how everyone has a part to play, recognising that all opinions can count and how spending time together doing this can be great fun.
Focus on life skills
The kit uses colour coding and numbered cards to help you find your way around. You can either work through the kit (it worked for us), consult the index to look for specific help or work on a particular life skill such as confidence or communication.
One size fits all
Life is complicated enough so BUDDI 4Kids uses one approach for the benefit of the whole family making it easier to learn.