Rainbow Project for the Third Grade

Some children need a little extra attention to learn social skills.

Not all children are social butterflies with the ability to easily make friends and excel in school. Some children are shy, others have not quite developed the necessary social skills to interact in school and some are going through extreme lifestyle changes which lead to social problems. For children in the third grade, many reasons could contribute to these adjustment problems at school such as being the new kid, which is where the Rainbow Projects comes into play. The Rainbow Project is a program designed to provide intervention for children with adjustment problems.

What is the Rainbow Project?

Being the new kid in school, a parental divorce, a new stepparent and instant family, difficulty making friends and a death in the family are just a few of the many reasons so many third graders find it difficult to adjust to the social settings found in school. Teachers are educated to look for these issues with their new students and to attempt to help the child through the Rainbow Program, which is funded by the State Department of Mental Health. Funding is provided to schools so children from kindergarten through the third grade can receive specialized attention in learning social skills.

First Program

To start a third grade child on the path to social adjustment, the Rainbow Project provides one-on-one time with an adult at school to the child experiencing adjustment problems. This one-on-one time is with a trained professional whose experience and expertise lies in helping the third grader to develop confidence and positive self-image. Both of these are necessary to a child attempting to learn the skills needed to achieve positive social adjustment.

Second Steps Program

Once each third grader with adjustment issues has been given one-on-one time with a trained professional to develop a sense of self confidence, the child graduates to the second program in the Rainbow Project. The second program is in a small group setting where a trained professional teaches each child social skills such as empathy and emotional management. Problem solving is another social skill taught in the second step program.

Steps to Respect

The third and final program in the Rainbow Project involves a literary-based skills program. This step involves learning how to create a caring school environment by teaching third graders to respect one another by developing an appropriate vocabulary used to express feelings of empathy. It also teaches children friendship skills and how to invite and encourage others to join group activities and become more assertive.

References

• Greenbrook Elementary: Rainbow Project