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You'll hear a lot about Clifford's Big Ideas on this Web site. The
Big Ideas are played out in each episode of Scholastic's Clifford
The Big Red Dog™ TV show. This section explores what the
Big Ideas are and how they relate to the TV show. For more at-home
or in-school activities relating to Clifford's Big Ideas, see "Offline
Activities".
Clifford's Big Ideas are positive character traits modeled by
the characters in the TV series. These ten ideas represent the social
and emotional challenges that children face and must master in the
course of development. Each episode of Scholastic's Clifford
The Big Red Dog™ TV series supports one or more of the
Big Ideas through classic storytelling. Each episode concludes with
a one-minute vignette featuring Clifford and his friends in a variety
of scenarios where they model (or learn to model!) each of these ten
Big Ideas. Here at Clifford's home on the Web, we reinforce these
Big Ideas in all of our activities. This section of the site will
help you bring Clifford's Big Ideas off Birdwell Island and into your
child's life.
For each Big Idea below, you will find:
- a description of what this Big Idea means to a young child.
- a description of the APPLICATION which illustrates how these
episodes and activities support the Big Idea.
- links to EPISODES with complimentary / supplementary ACTIVITIES
that you and your child can do away from the computer to reinforce
a Big Idea.
- You may also find a link to a Big Idea poster. Over time, we'll
provide ten of these.
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| Clifford's
Big Ideas |
BE
A GOOD FRIEND
BE KIND
BE RESPONSIBLE
BE TRUTHFUL
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
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HAVE
RESPECT
HELP OTHERS
PLAY FAIR
SHARE
WORK TOGETHER |
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| BE
A GOOD FRIEND |
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Young
children soon discover that friends can be both fun and challenging!
A child figuring out how to relate to other children will experience
many disputes and trials. Through personal relationships, children
form skills to cope and interact among friends. Opportunities for
children to experience special friendships are valuable as they grow
socially. Healthy friendships young in life lay the foundation for
rewarding relationships as a child matures. Children really make the
best little friends!
APPLICATION: These episodes and activities show how friendships are
tested in everyday life. The situations role-played by the characters
give a child the opportunity to evaluate different ways to communicate
and resolve problems among friends. Build language skills and self-expression
by talking about the importance of showing consideration and respect
for friends.
Here are EPISODES and ACTIVITIES that reinforce Clifford's
Big Idea, BE A GOOD FRIEND:
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MY BEST FRIEND
Me and My Best Friend
FALSE FRIENDS
Doughy Friends
CIRCUS STARS
Amazing Autographs
TO CATCH A BIRD
To Feed A Bird
THE BEST PARTY EVER
Homemade Invitations
CLIFFORD'S BIG SUPRISE
Surprise! Surprise!
FORGIVE AND FORGET
Role-Playing Forgiveness
CLIFFORD'S BIG HEART
Have a Heart. Print out and decorate a special heart-felt gift, coming
soon!
FLUFFED-UP CLEO
Make a Trophy! |
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to Index |
| BE
KIND(Click
here for a Printable Poster) |
Learning
the concept of acceptance is so important for children. Becoming aware
of the similarities and differences among people is just the beginning
of a child's experience in social growth. Opportunities to understand
that diversity makes people unique and individually interesting can
help a child to appreciate others early in life. Acts of kindness
are not easily forgotten and one of the most wonderful qualities that
a person young or old can possess.
APPLICATION: These episodes and activities illustrate that loving
someone can be unconditional, even when it seems impossible! This
entire series continually shows how the friends on Birdwell Island
always have to deal with each other's actions. A great example of
kindness is when Emily Elizabeth takes Clifford home and loves him,
even when he continues to grow, and grow, and grow! Acts of kindness
and acceptance are precious gifts to give one another. And this is
certainly happening all around Birdwell Island!
Here are EPISODES and ACTIVITIES that reinforce Clifford's
Big Idea, BE KIND:
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Episode
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AND
BIRDY MAKES THREE
King or Queen of Kindness Certificate. Kindness deserves an award!
Coming Soon!
CLEO COMES TO TOWN
Old Friend, New Friend Bracelets
LITTLE CLIFFORD
Guess Who! Print, cut-out and color all your friends from Birdwell
Island! Coming Soon!
THE DOG PARK
Bird Watching Binoculars |
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| BE
RESPONSIBLE |
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Becoming
a responsible person comes from observation and practice! All children
desire the gratification of being recognized for good works. When
a child is given the opportunity to be a caretaker, recognition for
good efforts gives the child pride and reinforces good habits for
future efforts. It is a child's natural instinct to please. Learning
the value of being responsible is so important for youngsters!
APPLICATION: These episodes and activities illustrate how the characters
learn about being responsible from daily life experiences. Children
can connect these character situations with their own real life experiences.
Encouraging the child to retell the events of the story, make predictions,
and interpret characters' feelings allows you to informally assess
the child's comprehension and conceptual understanding.
Here are EPISODES and ACTIVITIES that reinforce Clifford's
Big Idea, BE RESPONSIBL
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TUMMY
TROUBLE
Too Much For Me!
CLIFFORD AND THE BEANSTALK
Grow Plant Grow!
BUNNY IN A HAYSTACK
Funny Bunny
LEAF OF ABSENCE
Leaf People
SCREAMING FOR ICE CREAM
Ice Cream Michaelangelo
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| BE
TRUTHFUL |
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The
process of learning to become honest and truthful begins early in
a child's life. A child's pattern of social growth will most likely
mirror his or her own environment. Some of the best examples for a
child are simple situations in the home. Communicating with a child
about choices, consequences, and showing respect on a regular basis
gives the child positive reinforcement about the value of being truthful.
By encouraging discussions about honesty and truthfulness, the child
becomes more aware that this characteristic is an important part of
their individual personality.
APPLICATION: These episodes and activities illustrate that every action,
honest or not, has a consequence. The concept of having a good conscience
is emphasized when the characters wrestle with making right decisions.
Children can learn the value of being honest and truthful by relating
their own experiences to those of the characters.
Here are EPISODES and ACTIVITIES that reinforce Clifford's
Big Idea, BE TRUTHFUL:
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SPECIAL
DELIVERY
More Special Deliveries! Printable Clifford matching game, coming
soon!
ITCHY PATCH
What Does A Real Veterinarian Do?
BOO!
Clifford's Lion Mask
DOING THE RIGHT THING
Borrow and Return
COME BACK, MAC
Good Deeds Poster
THE DOG WHO CRIED WOOF!
Barnyard Impersonators. Printable animal sounds game, coming soon!
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to Index |
| BELIEVE
IN YOURSELF(Click
here for a Printable Poster) |
Children
are so impressionable at a young age. When they have successes, they
are naturally motivated to attempt new challenges. Opportunities to
grow in self-confidence are important for the young child just learning
about his or her own potential. Most children need encouragement to
try again after making mistakes or having unsuccessful experiences.
Welcoming life's new experiences with enthusiasm comes from confidence
learned early in life. Offer encouragement and watch them go!
APPLICATION: These episodes are intended to inspire! The characters
of Birdwell Island are no different from anyone else when it comes
to dealing with self-confidence. The concept of believing in oneself
is role-played among the characters. Stories support the idea that
it is good to try new things and help others feel good about themselves
in new or uncertain situations.
Here are EPISODES and ACTIVITIES that reinforce Clifford's
Big Idea, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF:
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LIMELIGHT
FRIGHT
A Grand Performance
NOBODY'S PERFECT
Silly Willy, Silly Woe, Silly Silly Here
We Go!
TEACHER'S PET
Listen Up! Printable follow the leader Clifford coloring game, coming
soon!
CLOTHES DON'T MAKE THE DOG
Paper dolls? No, Paper Dogs! Print and dress these silly dogs, coming
soon! |
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| HAVE
RESPECT |
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Children's
behavior reflects their self-esteem. As children interact and grow
socially, their experiences with others shape the way they value the
idea of respect. Through positive role models and opportunities to
work and play within group settings, children learn the meaning of
respect and how it affects them personally. This is an important step
in growing up! Having respect for oneself as well as the feelings
of others, in addition to respecting individual differences and personal
space, will help a child experience life with greater joy and success.
APPLICATION: These episodes and activities use our favorite characters
to role-play situations where our differences are really our best
strengths. One of life's most valuable lessons for a child is learning
that respect means giving another person credit for being genuine
and unique.
Here are EPISODES and ACTIVITIES that support Clifford's
Big Idea, HAVE RESPECT:
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A
FERRY TALE
Mirror Talk
STORMY WEATHER
Fill Your Talent Plate
CLIFFORD'S DOGGY REUNION
My Very Own Scrapbook
A NEW FRIEND
My Fingerprints |
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| HELP
OTHERS |
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It
is not always easy to accept everyone at first glance. Children sometimes
have fears and apprehension about situations or people they are not
sure about. Teaching them about the importance of looking beyond what
someone appears to be is one way of helping them understand themselves
and others. Listening to children's thoughts and discussing their
feelings will help them form opinions about what's best for them when
they are unsure or afraid.
APPLICATION: Children love to be big helpers! But as these episodes
illustrate, it is quite normal for a child to be unsure or afraid
of something unfamiliar or different. Identifying with character feelings
will help the child learn more about personal feelings related to
uncertain people or situations. A child can use examples in the stories
to learn how characters turn their situations into positive experiences.
By encouraging communication and logical reasoning, a child can begin
to form independent ideas about how to perceive different people.
A child that feels safe, secure and confident is more apt to be an
ambitious, enthusiastic helper!
Here are EPISODES and ACTIVITIES that support Clifford's
Big Idea, HELP OTHERS:
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Episode
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Activity -
Episode -
Activity -
Episode -
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ISLANDER
OF THE YEAR
Hero For The Day!
WELCOME TO BIRDWELL ISLAND
Island Find
THE EARS HAVE IT
Make a Joyful Noise! |
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to Index |
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Children
like to feel good about themselves. They learn about their own needs
and how they feel about themselves by the way others treat them. Learning
to relate positively to other children and adults early in life makes
for healthier self-esteem. The opportunity for social growth within
group activities or shared learning experiences is vital for promoting
good social and emotional growth. Reinforcing acceptable behavior
in situations where a child has to give or take to get along with
someone else is great experience for the challenges that all children
face as they grow.
APPLICATION: These episodes reinforce the idea that treating friends
with fairness is a rewarding experience. Children see that teamwork
means that everyone works together and everyone benefits in the end.
Playing fair means not teasing or being boastful, even when you are
better at something, but rather being humble instead. The idea of
playing fair reinforces honesty, being a good example and most of
all, being true to your friends, no matter what!
Here are EPISODES and ACTIVITIES that reinforce Clifford's
Big Idea, PLAY FAIR:
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Episode
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Activity -
Episode -
Activity -
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Back
to Index |
| SHARE(Click
here for a Printable Poster) |
Sharing
is one of the most rewarding acts of kindness. Sometimes it can be
very hard to share something you really like with someone else. The
best thing about sharing is that it brings friends together. When
we share with a friend, sharing becomes twice as much fun! Can you
think of a time that someone shared with you and how it made you feel?
APPLICATION: These episodes emphasize the importance of sharing and
learning positive social skills needed for successful relationships
within a group setting. Children learn to reason, make good decisions,
and understand sharing by observation and role-playing. Positive role
models for young children can lead to the development of healthy relationships
throughout life.
Here are EPISODES and ACTIVITIES that reinforce Clifford's
Big Idea, SHAR
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CLEO'S
FAIR SHARE
Share This
STARS IN YOUR EYES
Telescope and Solar System! |
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Back
to Index |
| WORK
TOGETHER(Click
here for a Printable Poster) |
By
interacting with other children, a child learns to enjoy people outside
of their own family unit. Opportunities for a child to share a common
goal with other children provide important lessons for growing up.
Being with others and establishing positive relationships within a
group can enrich a child's experiences and give that child confidence.
APPLICATION: These episodes support the concept of teamwork and cooperation.
Children learn to interact with others most often through observing
how others treat them within their own environment. These episodes
model common situational conflicts with positive resolutions to teach
children valuable lessons about getting along with others. TV characters
model working together in a group successfully to meet a cooperative
goal or accomplish a personal task in fun and meaningful ways.
Here are more EPISODES and ACTIVITIES that reinforce
Clifford's Big Idea, WORK TOGETHER:
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HOME
IS WHERE THE FUN IS
My Journal of Amazing Things
FOLLOW THE LEADER
Operation Cooperation
CARING BEARS
The Big Sleepover
CLIFFORD ON PARADE
Mission Accomplished
TOPSY-TURVY DAY
Courtesy Makes Cents! |
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