Parent’s Handbook – Walk Forward in Bravery – Woohitaka Mani Yo – Life Skills for the Young D/Lakota

The Parent’s Handbook is a companion resource to our elementary and middle school life skills program. We recognize that children thrive when parents can reinforce the lessons learned in school.

This handbook supports the life skills curriculum for our children in several ways:

o Traditional Wisdom: It features excerpts from historical Lakota authors on child-rearing, offering insights from traditional perspectives.

o Holistic Development: The handbook addresses the four aspects of a child’s needs: Physical, Emotional, Spiritual and Mental.

o Risk Assessment: It helps parents identify potential risk factors in their child’s behavior and provides guidance on appropriate responses.

o Addiction Awareness: The handbook takes a closer look at addiction, offering prevention strategies and support resources.

o Practical Tools: It provides parenting tools and health & wellness strategies to support overall family well-being.

o Cultural Connection: Ten ancestor stories are included for parents to share with their children, fostering cultural identity and intergenerational bonding. By bridging school and home learning environments, this handbook aims to create a cohesive support system for our children’s growth and development within the context of Lakota culture and values.