Definition:

Courage is being willing to face something hard or scary, like trying to do something you’ve never done before. 

In short:

Do good, try hard even when it’s scary.

Summary:
“When the things we find scary are not actually dangerous, then it’s time to be brave.” This story teaches about some of the situations children may face and how to deal with them. Being brave is a choice, and it’s usually hard to do.  Our brains tell us to run away, hide, or just freeze when we’re scared. But “sometimes our brains play tricks on us and tell us that something is scarier than it actually is,” like when we’re scared of something new that isn’t really dangerous. There are many things we can do to help ourselves feel brave, and when we do something courageous we can be proud of ourselves. 

Lesson Objectives: 

1. Students will demonstrate understanding of their own personal fears, have more confidence to talk about them with a trusted adult, and take steps to help resolve at least one of their fears.

Guiding Questions: 

1. What are some of the things you and other kids find scary? 
2. We should be scared about dangerous things. Name some dangerous things that are scary. 
3. We don’t need to be scared about things that aren’t dangerous. Can you think of something that’s not dangerous but is still scary for you? 
4. What do our brains tell us to do when something feels scary? Share about a time when that happened to you. 
5. Sometimes our brains trick us and tell us that something is scarier than it really is. In the story, what does the boy think when he looks at the ladder? 
6. Have you ever been scared of doing something new? Once you did it, were you glad you did? 
7. What’s one thing you can do to help you be brave when you’re scared to do something? Try it out next time you feel nervous. 
8. Can you remember what it says in the book? “Even though I feel scared right now, …” (Fill in the blank)
9. Make a plan to do two things that are hard to do and do them! Ask your parents or teacher to help you if you need it. 
10. Ask your parents or a family member to tell you about a time when they had to be brave.