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Clifford's Big Ideas 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 series. These same ideas are the backbone of the new Clifford's Puppy Days™ TV show, though they are referred to as Ideas to Grow On in this series. 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/Ideas to Grow On 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 the Clifford 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 from the TV series 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 will also find a link to a coloring page for each Big Idea.
Clifford's Big Ideas
BE A GOOD FRIEND BE KIND BE RESPONSIBLE BE TRUTHFUL BELIEVE IN YOURSELF		HAVE RESPECT HELP OTHERS PLAY FAIR SHARE WORK TOGETHER

BE A GOOD FRIEND(Click here for a Printable Coloring Page)
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:
Episode -	MY BEST FRIEND
Activity -	Me and My Best Friend
Episode -	FALSE FRIENDS
Activity -	Doughy Friends
Episode -	CIRCUS STARS
Activity -	Amazing Autographs
Episode -	TO CATCH A BIRD
Activity -	To Feed A Bird
Episode -	THE BEST PARTY EVER
Activity -	Homemade Invitations
Episode -	CLIFFORD'S BIG SUPRISE
Activity -	Surprise! Surprise!
Episode -	FORGIVE AND FORGET
Activity -	Role-Playing Forgiveness
Episode -	CLIFFORD'S BIG HEART
Activity -	Have a Heart. Decorate a heart-felt gift!
Episode -	FLUFFED-UP CLEO
Activity -	Make a Trophy!
Episode -	BABYSITTER BLUES
Episode -	FRIENDS, MORNING, NOON, AND NIGHT
Episode -	SATURDAY MORNING
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BE KIND(Click here for a Printable Coloring Page)
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:
Episode -	AND BIRDY MAKES THREE
Activity -	King or Queen of Kindness Certificate. Kindness deserves an award!
Episode -	CLEO COMES TO TOWN
Activity -	Old Friend, New Friend Bracelets
Episode -	LITTLE CLIFFORD
Activity -	Guess Who! Print, cut-out and color all your friends from Birdwell Island!
Episode -	THE DOG PARK
Activity -	Bird Watching Binoculars
Episode -	BABYSITTER BLUES
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BE RESPONSIBLE(Click here for a Printable Coloring Page)
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 RESPONSIBLE:
Episode - Activity - Episode - Activity - Episode - Activity - Episode - Activity - Episode - Activity - Epidsode - Episode - Epidose -	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 WHO ME, JEALOUS? THE KIBBLE CROOK CLIFFORD'S CARNIVAL
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BE TRUTHFUL(Click here for a Printable Coloring Page)
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:
Episode - Activity - Episode - Activity - Episode - Activity - Episode - Activity - Episode - Activity - Episode - Episode -	SPECIAL DELIVERY More Special Deliveries! 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! THE KIBBLE CROOK
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BELIEVE IN YOURSELF(Click here for a Printable Coloring Page)
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:
Episode -	LIMELIGHT FRIGHT
Activity -	A Grand Performance
Episode -	NOBODY'S PERFECT
Activity -	Silly Willy, Silly Woe, Silly Silly Here We Go!
Episode -	TEACHER'S PET
Activity -	Listen Up!
Episode -	CLOTHES DON'T MAKE THE DOG
Activity -	Paper dolls? No, Paper Dogs! Print and dress these silly dogs!
Episode -	MY BEST FRIEND
Episode -	A FERRY TALE
Episode -	GREAT RACE
Episode -	CLEO COMES TO TOWN
Episode -	ITCHY PATCH
Episode -	WHO ME, JEALOUS?
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HAVE RESPECT(Click here for a Printable Coloring Page)
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:
Episode - Activity - Episode - Activity - Episode - Activity - Episode - Activity - Episode - Episode - Episode -	A FERRY TALE Mirror Talk STORMY WEATHER Fill Your Talent Plate CLIFFORD'S DOGGY REUNION My Very Own Scrapbook A NEW FRIEND My Fingerprints WELCOME TO BIRDWELL ISLAND STARS IN YOUR EYES FRIENDS, MORNING, NOON, AND NIGHT
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HELP OTHERS(Click here for a Printable Coloring Page)
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:
Episode - Activity - Episode - Activity - Episode - Activity - Episode- Episode- Episode- Episode- Episode-	ISLANDER OF THE YEAR Hero For The Day! WELCOME TO BIRDWELL ISLAND Island Find THE EARS HAVE IT Make a Joyful Noise! BEST PAW FORWARD MR. BLEAKMAN'S SPECIAL DAY AND BIRDY MAKES THREE STORMY WEATHER CIRCUS STARS
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PLAY FAIR(Click here for a Printable Coloring Page)
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:
Episode - Activity - Episode - Activity - Episode-	CLIFFORD'S CARNIVAL Team Mural GREAT RACE Bag It! THEN CAME BOB
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SHARE(Click here for a Printable Coloring Page)
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, SHARE:
Episode - Activity - Episode - Activity -	CLEO'S FAIR SHARE Share This STARS IN YOUR EYES Telescope and Solar System!
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WORK TOGETHER(Click here for a Printable Coloring Page)
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:
Episode - Activity - Episode - Activity - Episode - Activity - Episode - Activity - Episode - Activity -	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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