Guiding Principles for
Developing Whole Children
What if the children in your care
could fully develop themselves as people?
The sixteen Guiding Principles shown here are at the heart of this goal. Click on each principle to learn more, including what the principle looks like in adult behavior and how to develop it in children.
- Self Awareness: Being continually aware of our own biases and expectations as we interact with all children.
- Reciprocity: Recognizing how we each are benefiting unfairly from the status quo and then doing something to change that imbalance.
- Full Personhood: Reclaiming the lost parts of ourselves and developing our complete potential.
- Equality: Understanding that every individual has the same inherent value, and the same right to express their fullest self.
- Physical Ownership: Appreciating one’s own physical body and its capabilities, as well as respecting others’ bodies.
- Verbal Conflict Resolution: Developing the effective verbal conflict resolution skills needed for even the most challenging situations.
- Emotional Wellness: Recognizing and managing our emotions, so we don’t hurt ourselves or others.
- Advocacy: Speaking up for what you need, as well as speaking up for people who have less power and privilege than you.
- Humility: Recognizing that there is always more for us to learn about ourselves, other people, and life.
- Authenticity: Being true to ourselves.
- Contribution: Each of us helping to make the world fairer, healthier, and safer for everyone.
- Resiliency: Maintaining our resolve under difficult circumstances.
- Joy: Experiencing smiles and laughter.
- Gratitude: Intentionally focusing on what’s good in our lives.
- Community: Creating and enjoying a network of people who are supportive and think similarly about gender equity.
- Critical Thinking: Being a discerning evaluator of what we’re seeing, hearing, reading, and experiencing.
