The Manadoob Program for Self-Esteem is an educational program that uses storytelling and activities to help children build self-esteem, empathy, and social-emotional skills. It features magical animal characters called Manadoob that guide children through lessons and discussions about challenges like bullying, divorce, death, and more. The program provides teachers and facilitators with materials like a novel, workbook, and discussion topics to help children understand their feelings and develop compassion for others. Evaluations of the program found that it helped reduce bullying, build confidence and social skills in children from diverse backgrounds.

1. The Manadoob Program forSelf-Esteem A Children’s Educational Program By Creators June Salin and Susan Cooper

2. The Manadoob Program for Self-Esteem is an essential educational tool allowing children to face the challenges in the world today, and empowering them to do the right thing.

3. Challenges Facing Children Today News stories recount the tragic effects of bullying Childhood obesity is becoming a national epidemic Children are often separated from parents due to divorce or death In many cases, they are left to deal with emotional issues like these on their own

4. Bullying Increasingly, neuroscientists, psychologists and educators believe that bullying and other kinds of violence can indeed be reduced by encouraging empathy at an early age. Over the past decade, research in empathy — the ability to put ourselves in another person's shoes — has suggested that it is key, if not the key, to all human social interaction and morality. One-third of America's school students report being bullied at least once a month and six out of 10 say they witness someone being bullied daily. Some 3.2 million kids in grades 6-10 say they're a victim of bullying each day. Read more: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1982190,00.html#ixzz0thrmp9Xu The Manadoob Program teaches children their own feelings and behavior which provides the basic tools for understanding the feelings and behavior of others – a key tool is teaching empathy towards others and a crucial element in reducing bullying and other kinds of violence.

5. Obesity Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. It occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height. Childhood obesity is particularly troubling because the extra pounds often start children on the path to health problems that were once confined to adults, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Childhood obesity can also lead to poor self-esteem and depression. The number of adolescents who are overweight has tripled since 1980 and the prevalence among younger children has more than doubled. According to the 1999-2002 NHANES survey, 16 percent of children age 6-19 years are overweight. Not only have the rates of overweight increased, but the heaviest children in a recent NHANES survey were markedly heavier than those in previous surveys. The Manadoob talk to kids directly, openly and without being critical or judgmental. The Manadoob Program provides consistent opportunities to build a child’s self-esteem and it provides them with valuable tools so they want to reach a healthy weight for their own well-being.

6. Effects of Death and Divorce The Manadoob Program teaches children that life is always changing and loss can be a part of that change. It is a process we all go through in order to feel better again. The Manadoob teach children to “Mourn what has passed, but awaken to the promise of the future and be thankful for what you have.” Many families in the United States are touched by divorce. The current divorce rate is calculated to be between 40 and 60% for those recently married and up to 10% higher for remarriages. A majority of divorces occur in families with children under the age of 18. A parent's death usually makes a severe impact on a child, research shows. After losing a parent, 85% of children exhibit such symptoms as difficulty sleeping, angry outbursts, worry, depression, bed-wetting, and thumb-sucking. After a year, more regressive behaviors may fade, but other problems, such as lack of confidence and preoccupation with illness, are likely to continue. (Barr-Harris Children's Grief Center of Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis as reported in Chicago )

7. Animal Health The measure of a society can be how well its people treat its animals ~ Mahatma Gandhi Kindness & empathy towards animals must start with learning kindness and empathy towards yourself. The Manadoob Program teaches children through the voice and guidance of wonderful animal characters that provide an insightful approach towards humane education. The program allows for the integration of Humane Educators and the “Kids and Animals” – A Healing Partnership” film as an important element to view the extraordinary interaction between species. Humane Education values the interdependence of all living things. Respect, responsibility and compassion for both animals and people are at its heart. Humane Educators do not regard animals as more important than people; rather, they believe that showing kindness to animals and having empathy for people go hand in hand. Childhood is a time when one’s character is being formed. The role of humane education is to help students think about others’ (including animals’) needs, feelings and suffering; consider the effects of their actions; and reflect on the world and their place in it. Read more: www.sacsc.ca/PDF%20files/Resources/Humane%20Education.pdf

8. Who are The Manadoob?

10. kindness in their interactions with other beings

12. The Concept The Manadoob Program for Self-Esteem teaches children self-esteem while enhancing their reading and writing skills through the use of story, craft and individualized interpretation. The characters – both human and animal – celebrate diversity and inclusion instilling a sense of belonging in all children while creating a non-threatening environment in which they can share and explore.

13. The Novel The Manadoob Novel offers children the gift of entertainment and self-awareness. Each Manadoob character has strengths and weaknesses with which all kids can identify.

14. The Moobia Stones The Moobia Stones and Guide to the Moobia Stones are a fun and insightful companion to the novel. Helping kids to “sadiki” – to believe in themselves. The Manadoob stress basic values that are sometimes forgotten or overlooked in the high-speed, technology-based environment in which we live. The Moobia Stones are the Manadoob’s gift of guidance.

15. The Manadoob Ask-It Workbook The Manadoob Secret Connection Program to enhance self-esteem is an edutainment program for children. The program provides 28 chapters with over 80 lessons and activities. The program provides curriculum opportunities in language arts, reading and vocabulary, social science, theatre arts, research, experimental activities and community outreach . The program works extremely well with groups of up to 12 children ages 7-12.

16. Manadoob Supporters It has taken over a decade to develop the Manadoob Program and the participation of respected educators, child psychologists, psychiatrists and humane educators has helped to make the Program an exceptional tool in helping children. Each chapter in the Ask-It Workbook has specific goals that our expert advisory committee has identified to stimulate the growth of a child’s self-awareness, self-empowerment, kindness and social consciousness. “Manadoob stands uniquely as an allegory that is not allegorical. It captures the essence of values that we hold most dear while young readers mesmerized by a story well told with a palpably building excitement that keeps the pages turning. Children will connect readily to the interactions between humans and animals and will appreciate the sophisticated vocabulary in the story and workbook, which is at once comprehensible and non-condescending.” Althea Woods, M.Ed. Bravo Award winner for Excellence in Education: Harvard educated teacher and principal, Los Angeles Unified School District “The Manadoob Ask-It Workbook is the perfect “hands on” resource in the Manadoob Program for children. The combination of creative activities and gentle probes enables kids to apply the challenges faced by the characters in the Manadoob novel to the realities in their own lives. With guidance from the Manadoob, participants are taught skills that enhance their positive interactions with themselves, their families, their community and their larger world.” Dr. Barbara Boat, Assoc. Professor, Dept. of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine Director, The Childhood Trust, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

17. The Manadoob Program for Self-Esteem We are all connected – each and every living thing! It takes us all to make the World go ‘round. And the Manadoob will help kids find out how they can: CONNECT TO THEMSELVES – CONNECT TO OTHERS – CONNECT TO THE WORLD

18. Testimonials - Facilitators Public School Teacher, Jersey City, New Jersey Tina Majdan ESL Teacher Public School #5 Jersey City, New Jersey I have been helping English Language Learners in grades 5 – 8 develop a communicative competence in English for the last 34 years. I was introduced to the Manadoob Program for Self-Esteem and after reviewing it I was excited to receive a grant for the programs which I am implementing in the current semester. I am teaching 27 children from diverse ethnic backgrounds and I have always looked for tools that I could use to unify the kids in my class as a part of their learning process. What worked so well with the Manadoob Program is that it helped to break down cultural barriers and bring the kids together as we worked through the program. It was also used as a basis for my entire curriculum for the semester as it provides tools in listening, speaking, reading, writing, arts and community outreach. The Manadoob Program is a wonderful tool for allowing kids to develop self-esteem, self reliance and self-expression as they learn from the Manadoob in curriculum based activities. And, it is fun! I will be presenting and recommending the Manadoob Program to the New Jersey School District and I would be happy to recommend the Manadoob Program to schools across the country. Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to develop such a wonderful program for kids! Tina Majdan

19. Testimonials – Excerpts “Our Manadoob program has been going very well. All of our youth are very excited and it has made an amazing impact on the youth in the program…… I would like to request 100 more programs for our youth for 2010.” Derek Beauvais Program Director Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon Bend Branch “In the past we had kids not wanting to leave the computer room when it’s time to go home; but recently that has all switched, we now have kids not wanting to leave the Manadoob classes to the extent where parents have had to sit through the class until it’s ended before they are able to take their child home. We’ve gotten rave reviews from the parents about the program…” Sandra Blake Site Coordinator Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County “We have seen this program have an impact on our young people, enabling them to have mechanisms to help them cope with issues they face on a daily basis. This program has helped some of the young people with bullying tendencies to become more empathic towards others, and we have seen bullying decrease.” Erin Antrim Director of Program Services Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme “The girls feel that our Manadoob group is a place that they can SAFELY share their feelings. These girls come from a mix of ethnic backgrounds, and a mix of living situations. For most, the issue of self-esteem is a struggle for them. Through this group, they have found a place where they fit in and are welcome.” Nicole Andrade Program Director Boys & Girls Clubs of Redlands “Just thought I would check in and let you know how the “Manadoob” is going---the kids and myself are LOVING IT!! We had just finished the discussion about sadness and I was amazed at how much the kids opened up to me (or the group). From the things the kids said, I could tell they felt very safe and comfortable.” BeBe Ackerman Humane Educator Hawaii Island Humane Society

20. Testimonials - Children “I like the Manadoob because the stones are cool and it reminds me of the feelings I used to have and the things I used to do when I was younger. It’s like another world to me and people can’t tell me what to do or what to look like. I’m able to make my own decisions. Manadoob taught Wella to be herself – that means I can be myself.” Monce H. “One of the greatest experiences of my life Joe D. “Manadoob means friendship.” Ian H. I had a great time reading, writing, and learning different things about the Manadoob. Manadoob is a great program about your feelings and your actions. It was a great program for me! It was also very fun!” Michelle L. “Manadoob tells you how to stand up for yourself, even if you stand alone.” Ayanah R. “It was great. It made me express myself in a way that I never thought of.” Christina “I like Manadoob because the stones are cool and because it teaches me how to be brave and express my feelings and to respect and be myself.” Dion C. “It taught me not to be shy.” Alyssa L. “I like Manadoob because I can learn more about things. I feel good to learn more things and meet people that made it. I feel good to be here.” Sophia L. “I had a wonderful experience. I had no idea this program was going to be so much fun. Blanca “It made me more open and talkative.” Danica C. “I truly think this was one of the most beautiful, amazing experiences of my life. I will remember this experience from today to when I die. I love the book.” Yunuen P.

21. “I will always remember this project, not in my head but in my heart. I believe in myself. Thank you again.” Abraham