Anna Craig, 11, has a paper doll covered with stickers(贴纸). On each sticker is written a word, such as cheerful, smart or kind. “We choose stickers that can best describe ourselves and put them on our dolls,” explains Anna, who took part in the activity with a group of girls in the fourth grade last year.
The activity is part of a program called “Beautiful Me.” The program’s goals are to help girls achieve a normal and healthy level of self-respect and develop basic skills of solving problems and handling relationships with others. So far, about 6,000 girls in New York, Chicago and Philadelphia, have joined in it.
The organizers of “Beautiful Me” train teachers to present the program material to small groups of girls. They guide groups to carry out different activities. The activities include hands-on art activities, role-playing s and discussions on topics like lasting friendships. Groups will show their performance, when they are ready.
The organizers of “Beautiful Me” say the program helps girls understand their feelings, solve problems and get along well with others. Anna Craig says that she learns so many things from the program. But most importantly, she starts to appreciate the special qualities of other people. She also thinks that it’s important to feel good about herself. When people feel good about themselves, it is easy to make other people around them feel good too!