Standing Tall: Learning Assertiveness Skills 2005
Distributed by Human Relations Media, 41 Kensico Drive, Mt. Kisco, NY 10549; 800-431-2050
Produced by Mazzarella Brothers Productions, Inc.
Directed by Anson W. Schloat
VHS, color, 25 min.
K-5, Sr. High
Adolescence, Child Development, Communication, Environmental Studies, Human Rights, Peer Pressure, Teen Culture
Date Entered: 05/04/2007
Reviewed by Geraldine B. Hébert, Bronx Community College, Bronx, NYStanding Tall: Learning Assertiveness Skills encourages adolescences to embrace six positive steps in controlling their behavior in the face of fear. By adopting these steps, the youth will begin to develop an assertive and positive attitude when encountering a bullying and disrespectful environment.
The video focal point is centered on behavior in adolescences that experience teasing, bullying, and disrespect in their peer-pressure surroundings. These youth who do not quite fit in or often times shy, learn assertive skills that foster self-positivism and enable them to stand tall and conquer their fears in the face of their tormentors. Even through their distresses, the guide helps them in overcoming their anxieties, low self-esteem and apprehension from overbearing friends, and acquaintances.
The program encourages youth to cultivate and strengthen their assertiveness through communication, eye contact and body language. And, at the same time, standing tall, earning respect and fostering respect while speaking ones mind in a clear, concise and self-controlled manner. This practice is reinforced further by Naomi Drew, an expert in conflict resolution, whose narrations are documented in the video. The six-step program can be used at school, play or in any environment that one may experience uneasiness.
The video comes with a teacher’s resource book and student’s handouts that reinforces the six-step guide of standing tall while facing the challenges of peer pressure.