KidsWin is the name of Margot Rutledge’s company, and S.T.A.R. Teens is a program you should know about if you have young teens.

Margot remembers all too well her feelings of shyness and insecurity as a child. As an adult she made conscious choices to expand beyond her limiting beliefs, and grew tremendously as she became, ultimately, a Dale Carnegie instructor. She has created an effective program for young teens so they have the opportunities to gain self-confidence early on. Margot lives her work, and that she is sharing her work with young teenagers is a gift you need to know about.

KidsWin was founded on the belief that children have the ability to achieve great and wonderful things, given the right tools and positive person-centered support by the people around them. S.T.A.R. Teens is a mentoring process that builds capability and resilience in children and encourages positive supportive relationships between adults and children. Whether you call it “self-esteem”, “self- efficacy,” “self-confidence”, or “resiliency*”, this quality affects everything you do – or don’t do. It all comes down to your belief in your ability to meet challenges.

Developing a competency is the key to building self-confidence. Once kids see that they can be successful in an area, they are more confident in their abilities. This leads them to be willing to take action in other areas, which begins a series of positive experiences that build upon themselves so that kids begin to feel that they can achieve their dreams.

How does S.T.A.R. Teens work? “In a safe, supportive environment you encourage kids to take a risk, to do something they didn’t think they could do. You build on their strengths, recognize improvement and effort, and help by providing ongoing encouragement. Over time, the child develops a sense of competency,” says Margot.

This program uses speaking as the vehicle to build confidence. It is a vehicle that can be used in the classroom, in mentoring relationships, and with parents. And improved communication skills will obviously benefit kids throughout their life.

Margot often conducts the program at a middle school level, or in the upper grades of an elementary school. Although it’s best when integrated into a grade-wide program, that isn’t required. Given the difficult budget scenarios in education today, Margot is finding creative ways to make this program affordable, often by partnering with a business or grant provider. And the program can be used in Boys and Girls Clubs, after-school programs, Scouts, churches, mentor programs and anywhere else kids and adults interact.

There are several facets to the program. Using a school implementation as an example, it begins with a consultation with the school administration and guidance staff. She then offers a training session for the faculty and an educational seminar for the parents titled Parents as Mentors. There are ten units in the kids’ program that take place over ten meetings. Of course, the amount of time required will depend on the number of kids in the program. It is completed with an assembly and magic show for parents, students and staff titled The Magic in You.

There are other, less time-intensive iterations of the program, and there is a guide for parents so they can help drive, and support, the program. However, as speaking is the primary vehicle, it is best implemented in a group environment.

Lives have been changed through this program. One parent noted “Even the most timid and the most distracted youngsters seemed to flourish under this approach.” A fifth grade teacher said “In my opinion, all children need what this program has to offer…”

Is helping to build a stronger sense of resilience, confidence, and self-esteem part of your goals for the young teens in your life? Support them in taking risks, learning new skills, and taking steps beyond their comfort zones. That in itself is self-empowering and builds to exciting new opportunities that will have an affect on a child – and adult- through life.

If you would like to learn more about this program, contact Margot Rutledge at www.KidsWin.org

* there are differences in the meaning of these phrases to many people in the field. However, our aim here is to not spend time wading through issues of semantics. Rather we focus on what these areas have in common, and why it is important to a young teen’s development.

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