What is CosmoKidz?
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CosmoKidz is an evidence-based program of conversational activities between adults and children that builds kids’ capacities to care for self, others, their relationships and their environments. CosmoKidz is an initiative of the CMM Institute for Personal and Social Evolution.
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"If you are someone who cares for and about children, imagine taking just one step into a child’s social world. Children’s social worlds are not as simple as we might think. You want to play with your friend but you both have ideas for completely different games, someone in your class is trying to copy your answers on a test, your neighbor wants you to play a video game that you don’t feel comfortable playing. These are just a few examples of situations that kids face every day. Whether it is family, friends, teachers, or neighbors, each of these relationships require skills to navigate the inevitable problems, changes, and different perspectives that are a part of any relationship.
We know healthy relational skills don’t come naturally; they need to be practiced. CosmoKidz are playful conversational activities designed to teach and empower children to improve their social, emotional, and relational worlds. We have listened to children across the globe and hear that they struggle with the same issues like teasing, bullying, sharing, and making new friends. CosmoKidz activities unpack the messiness around these topics in hopes of becoming the starting place for children and the adults in their lives to have meaningful conversations about what it’s like from the child’s perspective and what children can do to navigate relationships healthily.
CosmoKidz supports developing the whole child. Children learn the skills of empathizing, listening, acting with compassion and courage, and navigating an increasingly complex world. Our research shows that children are very capable of understanding the nuances of the world when taught to do so. When using CosmoKidz, we have seen an increased ability to navigate conflict and ask open and curious questions in relationships. Children focus on the “we” rather than just the “me”, showing radical empathy that lifts others up instead of putting them down.
The global problems of today and of the future will require leaders who are able to healthily engage with others of varying backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives. CosmoKidz is providing the building blocks for this kind of leadership, hoping to build better social worlds one conversation at a time. The CosmoKidz activities can be found on the CosmoKidz website cosmokidz.org. Download them for free and start the conversations today."
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Download free activities here.
Learn more about the CMM Institute here.
Learn more about CMM here.
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📝 Script by Trent Seward, with help from Kim Pearce and Marit Eikaas Haavimb
🎙 Audio and Graphics by Abbie VanMeter
CosmoKidz Social-Emotional Resources