Jabari Jumps

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This is a beautifully simple story, which virtually all children will be able to relate to. Most of us have been in a position where we’ve delayed doing something due to fear, which makes Jabari a character who is easy to engage and empathise with. Adult readers will also relate to the father, who is patient, supportive and quietly encouraging. We get a great sense of Jabari’s trepidation building through the book, and the lively illustrations provide a real sense of energy and increasing excitement. The pictures are cleverly drawn from a range of perspectives, with the reassuring presence of the father in virtually every scene. Jabari has come to a decision: he is ready to go off the high diving board like the other kids. His father asks if he’s sure, and Jabari thinks he is: he’s finished his swimming lessons and passed his swimming test. Still, when he sees how high the board is, he begins to get nervous. He allows the other children to go first. Then he has trouble climbing the ladder, so he takes a tiny break. He realizes that he forgot to stretch (can’t dive without stretching). In fact, there are a lot of little things standing in the way of his big jump. But his daddy takes him aside and gives him some advice: it’s okay to be scared to try new things. Sometimes, you just have to take a deep breath, tell yourself you’re ready… and jump. The story describes how Jabari, a little boy, overcomes his fears at the swimming pool. Jabari has finished his swimming lessons and passed his test and now feels he’s ready to conquer his fear of the diving board. His dad reassures him that it’s okay to be scared and helps him reframe his thoughts by seeing his actions as leading to a surprise. Jabari loves surprises, so this helps him eventually take the leap confidently off the board and into the pool.

Jabari Jumps — Positively Literacy Jabari Jumps — Positively Literacy

Jabari Jumps is a very sweet, short children’s book following little Jabari as he tries to work up the courage to jump off the diving board. The book shows children that everyone gets scared sometimes and that it is normal and okay. It also shows them how Jabari’s dad helps him to overcome his fears. The dialogue and text are straightforward and make a nice pairing with the creatively chosen angles for the illustrations…a welcome piece for any summertime collection. Taking a giant leap takes a lot of courage for Jabari. Will he make a splash? The Jabari Jumps activities get students thinking critically about what it takes to make that leap. They’ll also think about their own goals and how to get there. These low and no-prep activities engage students in English Language Arts skills as they sequence, analyze, and write. They’ll also work towards a growth mindset through personal goal setting. Mixed-media images in serene muted colors, high-rise buildings above the tree line, and the intriguing addition of faded newsprint accents strengthen the urban feel of the illustrations. Jabari’s story will help assuage the fears kids experience when faced with a new and daunting adventure. A terrific seasonal storytime read-aloud that’s perfect for one-on-one sharing. Helps with teaching my daughter difference between not wanting to do something because she actually doesn't want to, as opposed to be scared or worried she'll fail/be no good at all ie. if you knew for sure you would succeed in doing something you're hesitant on, would you do it? If yes, you want to do it and it's just fear stopping you, if not, it's just something you don't want to do.The message is quit subtle, not overdone, but has worked a treat improving my 3 year olds way of thinking. The story is about overcoming fears but also how to support and be kind to help others. I like that the dad and little sister are there supporting, not pushing him in just a lovely way, and are there to cheer him on.

Jabari Jumps - Storyline Online TEACHERS’ GUIDE Jabari Jumps - Storyline Online

His dad knew how he was feeling though. He told Jabari that it was okay to feel scared and that sometimes even he felt scared. He then taught him what he does when he feels scared and how it helps. Jabari decided to give the diving board another go, this time using the technique his dad had taught him.

Teaching about the latest events?

A little boy has finished his swimming lessons and is trying to get up the courage to jump off the diving board in this utterly charming debut picture book with a valuable lesson about conquering your fears from a gifted author-illustrator While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of Kindergarten (2003), it basically gets the job done.