We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Barbara (Bobbie) Match. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Barbara (Bobbie) below.
Barbara (Bobbie), so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I am a beacon of enduring love and support for children, with over 20 years of dedicated service in a Pre-K classroom. Although retired, my passion for nurturing young minds remains unwavering. Every day is an opportunity to continue making a positive impact, offering guidance, and being a source of warmth and encouragement in the lives of young children.
My book writing ideas began early in 2019 beginning with increased isolation due to the Covid 19 pandemic and children’s increased reliance on social media especially in a “learning environment.” This indeed created unique challenges for children’s social and emotional development. Knowing how critical Early Childhood social experiences are, I decided to embark on a mission to support children in navigating the challenges of limited social/emotional exposure. In doing so I took scenarios out of my classroom, that children could relate to, and put them into a story format that would be engaging and fun.
“My stories serve the sole purpose of aiding children in reading the room.”
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Growing up in the 60s, I navigated my childhood as a latchkey kid, finding myself remarkably independent at a young age. During those formative years, I was naive and impressionable, and my lessons were often learned through challenging experiences, i.e. “the hard way.” However, with each obstacle, I uncovered the strength that comes from self-belief. As I matured, I realized that fundamental values—treating others with respect, embracing kindness and understanding, being meticulously prepared, and trusting my instincts—acted as keys to unlock a wealth of wonderful experiences.
My journey is a testament to personal growth, resilience, and the profound impact of life’s invaluable lessons, which led me to a fulfilling career in Early Childhood Education—a field I hold dear. Working with 4-5 year olds for over two decades fueled my passion. Upon retiring in 2016, I realized there was more I could do to contribute to the growth and development of children, particularly in Social/Emotional Learning Skills Development.
Armed with decades of experience, I recognized the pressing need to assist children in soft skills development, especially considering that many lack hands-on preschool experiences, often being confined to screens. This limitation hinders their understanding of the impact of their words and actions on others. This realization prompted me to think about, “How can educators teach children to be best equipped to identify emotions and navigate their own social-emotional self-awareness, particularly when experiences and skills are limited?”
I am proud to announce that at Busy One Books, we offer a 3-book series designed to align with Soft Skills Learning. It presents relatable scenarios and interactions, providing an engaging platform for children to learn and apply social-emotional skills within a classroom setting. The combination of storytelling and interactive elements enhances the effectiveness of the learning experience, leaving a positive imprint on the social-emotional development of young learners.
Finally, we’ve developed a page enabling teachers and/or parents to assess a child’s comprehension of the content. This is achieved through responses to “Questions for Discussion,” “Questions for Social/Emotional Learning,” and “Vocabulary.” This tool is exceptionally advantageous in gaining insight into the social/emotional needs of your students.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1) My first quality is knowledge. Become a true authority in the field you write about. As noted by writer Malcolm Gladwell, “mastery is not born; it is created, practiced, and executed, and it takes about 10,000 hours of guided practice to become masterful.” Being a seasoned expert in your domain is crucial for effective and impactful writing.
2) My second quality is community. An ancient African proverb wisely states, “It takes a village to raise a child.” In my perspective, I say, “It takes a village to create a business.” Success is often found by reaching out to your community of individuals who can offer support, guidance, and assistance throughout the process of creating, implementing, and showcasing your best self.
3) My second quality is faith. Lacking faith and belief in yourself and your product can inadvertently influence your customers and resonate in the cosmos. Your confidence and energy serve as your superpowers; projecting a sense of self-assuredness can make a significant impact. Embracing the mindset of a winner often translates into becoming one.
For those venturing into the realm of entrepreneurship, my advice is to persevere! The initial belief in your endeavor serves as the crucial first step towards accomplishing your goals. If you encounter closed doors, consider that they may be signaling the wrong direction. With 26 letters in the alphabet, remember that if Plan A is not yielding results, there are still 25 more options left to explore.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
My primary challenge revolves around connecting with the right individuals to raise awareness about the crucial importance of developing soft skills. Bridging the gap to reach young families, educators, and communities is essential to address a significant crisis in the social and emotional development of young children.
During a child’s early years, they naturally acquire vital social and emotional skills such as regulating emotions, sharing, and following instructions. These foundational skills, as emphasized by the National Conference of State Legislatures, are integral for the development of literacy, numeracy, and other cognitive abilities essential for success in both school and life.
What I’ve observed is a scarcity of resources designed to help children comprehend their social identity, understand their emotions, and navigate social interactions. This scarcity is especially evident given the deprivation of basic childhood experiences. Without these essential experiences, children struggle to form and sustain positive relationships, gain valuable life experiences, and effectively manage and express their emotions.
This underscores the vital importance of my books. I delve into everyday scenarios, breaking them down in a way that empowers children to identify and understand their own emotions when faced with similar situations. Through relatable narratives, my goal is to provide a valuable resource that aids in the development of crucial social and emotional skills for young readers.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.busyonebooks.com
- Instagram: busyonebooks
- Facebook: Busy One Books
