In this unit children focus on the qualities of a good leader and focus on the idea that good leadership means motivating and helping people to do things rather than shouting at them or being bossy.  This can be difficult because sometimes leaders need to get people to do things they don't want to do! Read the story of the Northwind and the Sun and ask the children what was different about the way the Northwind and the Sun did it? Which one was more successful? How do you feel when someone tries to force you to do something? What can this help us learn about being a good leader and getting people to do what we want them to? 

Activity 1: Is Mary Poppins a good leader?

Tell the children that in the clip you are about to show them the children’s Nanny wants them to tidy the nursery – but the children don’t want to. What might be a good way for her to persuade them to do it?

What could she do that would make them not want to do it?

Show the children this video clip from Mary Poppins. 

In the clip Mary Poppins wants Jane and Michael to tidy the nursery.  The children find this unappealing at first but Mary Poppins persuades them through her song that the job of tidying can become fun, or even treated as a game.  Instead of just telling the children what she wants them to do, she also joins in with the tasks herself.  She persuades the children so effectively that Michael says he would rather tidy the nursery again than go to the park!

Facilitate a class discussion about how Mary Poppins got the children to do what she wanted them to do.

N.B. Mary Poppins does also have the benefit of magic in this situation. Don’t allow your class to become distracted with that. The point is she leads through example and by turning a job into something fun.

 

In every job that must be done

There is an element of fun,

you find the fun and snap!

The job's a game

And every task you undertake

Becomes a piece of cake

A lark! A spree!

It's very clear to see

That a...

Spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down

The medicine go dow-own

The medicine go down

Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down

In a most delightful way

A robin feathering his nest

Has very little time to rest

While gathering his

Bits of twine and twig

Though quite intent in his pursuit

He has a merry tune to toot

He knows a song

Will move the job along

For a...

Spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down

The medicine go down

The medicine go down

Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down

In a most delightful way

Activity 2: Leadership scenarios

Discuss the following scenarios with your class. How could the child best show persuasive leadership rather than being bossy?

Your little brother takes ages to finish his dinner. How can you help?

You want to play a particular game at breaktime, but your friends want to play something else. What will you do?

You want your parents to help you with some homework but they’re busy. What will you do?

 

	Sayings
	A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. The carrot and stick approach.

Library books

The Bundle of Sticks – Aesop’s Fable

Mr Gumpy’s Outing by John Burningham (bad teamwork)

Ruff and the Wonderfully Amazing Busy Day by Caroline Jayne Church

Henny Penny by Vivian French and Sophie Windham

Little Croc and the Whale by Tony Maddox