Disclaimer

The views of children participating in Kidlink are their own,
and in no way associated with the Kidlink organization.

Art by Ivan from Italy 2003

Interaction with peers about sensitive issues may contribute to foster

• Critical thinking skills - Analyzing peer and media influences, attitudes, values, social norms and beliefs and factors affecting these
• Decision and problem solving skills - Information gathering skills. Evaluation of future consequences of present actions for self and others. Determining alternative solutions to problems. Reflective thinking about the effectiveness of choices. Analysis skills regarding the influence of values and attitudes of self and others on motivation.
• Negotiation/refusal skills - Learn to convince, and conflict resolution. Assertiveness skills. Refusal skills.
• Cooperation and Teamwork skills - Expressing respect for others' contributions and different styles. Assessing one's own abilities and contribution to the group. Sharing ideas, accepting differences, following directions, staying on task, recording ideas.
• Interpersonal communication skills - Expressing feelings; giving feedback - without blaiming, and dialogueing to understand. Answering in own words, in own pictures, or a combination of words or pictures, so that their message comes loud and clear.
• Self-validation - Reviewing thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions, and recognizing that they may be different from another's perceptions, and accepting that multiple views can still be valid.
• Advocacy Skills - Influencing skills and persuasion. Networking and motivating.
• Empathy - The ability to feel what another person feels.

This does not mean that "our" kids are allowed to say anything they want. Malice is not accepted. Foul language or offensive manners are not allowed, nor is infringing on others' rights (the latter is an issue in Who-Am-I?).