Daisies are kindergarten and first grade girls. Scouts learn character values in conjunction with the Girl Scout Promise and the Girl Scout Law. On the front of the Daisy Girl Scout uniform there are a series of patches which form a daisy flower, with multi-colored petals. The center of the Daisy petal patch symbolizes an understanding of the Girl Scout Promise, and the Daisy petal patches each symbolize one line of the Girl Scout Law.
Considerate and Caring, Spring Green Petal
Earning the spring green petal for being considerate and caring allows girls to experience the joy of making others happy. On the road to being a good friend, and adopting positive socialization skills, being considerate and caring is important. Daisy girl scouts can choose from several girl scout activities that are all designed to help them learn how to be considerate and caring. Once the petal is earned, it is sewn or ironed on to the front of the Daisy vest or tunic style Girl Scout uniform.
Girl Scout Activities
Making swaps and trading them with other troops, or within the Daisy Girl Scout troop is very fun for girls. A swap can be a bookmark, a bracelet, a pin or any other small, handmade item that is given as a gift to girls, usually from troop to troop. Contact your Girl Scout council to see if there are any new troops forming, and offer them gifts.
Girl Scout Secret Pals
Within your troop, you can have the girls choose a secret buddy to bring presents for each week. An alternative would also be to partner with a retirement home, or another troop, to exchange secret gifts.
Considerate and Caring Conversations
Before the meeting, make a list of unfortunate situations Daisies might find themselves in. Perhaps one of their siblings ruined their picture, or mom is serving something yucky for dinner, or maybe the movie they want to see is sold out. Place each one in a fishbowl and have girls draw one out. One at a time, girls can take turns being "the sad one" while the rest of the girls practice being considerate and caring by trying to cheer her up. This exercise can pay off in the future, too, because if one of the girls really is sad, you can announce to the rest of the group that "We need to be considerate and caring."
When Others aren't Considerate and Caring
Each of the parts of the Girl Scout Law work together. When someone isn't being considerate and caring, girls need to know positive ways to respond, and practicing within the context of a Daisy Girl Scout meeting can help. Brainstorm with the girls how to handle a bully, a rude remark, or a classmate who is being victimized. Anyone can be rude in return, but having the grace to treat everyone with consideration takes practice.
Earning Daisy Girl Scout petals is a great way to make sure that girls have an empowering emotional vocabulary. Learning character values in kindergarten and first grade is what Daisy Girl Scouts is all about.
Lisa Russell - Lisa Russell is a freelance writer and mom of six daughters. She blogs about their life at lisarussell.org
