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Rainbow and Brownie Helpers Guidance for Guides © Girlguiding 2014 Registered charity number 306016 www.girlguiding.org.uk Rainbow and Brownie Helpers
Rainbow and Brownie HelpersGuidance for Guides
© Girlguiding 2014 Registered charity number 306016 www.girlguiding.org.uk Rainbow and Brownie Helpers
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© Girlguiding 2014 Registered charity number 306016 www.girlguiding.org.uk Rainbow and Brownie Helpers
ContentsIntroduction 2
Who are Rainbow and Brownie Helpers? 2
What do they do? 2Running games 2Planning and running activities 3Ideas for games and activities 3Involving girls 5
Why should I become a Rainbow or Brownie Helper? 5
What is expected of me? 5
What do I need to know? 6Leading and working with young girls 6
I’m interested in being a Helper – what do I do? 7
Being a Helper 7
Frequently asked questions 8
Useful links 8
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© Girlguiding 2014 Registered charity number 306016 www.girlguiding.org.uk Rainbow and Brownie Helpers
IntroductionThis guidance is for you if you are a Guide interested in learning how to be a leader by helping at a Rainbow or Brownie unit. It explains what a Rainbow or Brownie Helper is and how you can help Rainbows and Brownies.
You may also find the Beginning to Lead e-learning course useful as it can teach you more leadership skills.
Who are Rainbow and Brownie Helpers?Rainbow and Brownie Helpers are Guides who help at Rainbow and Brownie units. You can become a Rainbow or Brownie Helper any time for as long as you are a Guide.
What do they do?Rainbow and Brownie Helpers are part of the team that runs Rainbow and Brownie units, called the Unit or Leadership Team. This team also includes Young Leaders and adult Leaders. All the Leaders are volunteers who do not get paid for what they do but enjoy the opportunity to work with younger girls. You will have the chance to:}} help plan and run unit meetings}} organise and help with games and activities}} work with individual girls, small groups and the unit.
The following information explains how you can do this.
Running gamesAs a Rainbow or Brownie Helper you will be asked to organise games for the unit. This is usually for the beginning of a meeting, but could also be for later in the session.
Rainbows and Brownies usually have favourite games that they love to play each week. These are quite easy to run as all the girls will already know what to do. If you like, you could also introduce new games, for example something that you enjoyed playing when you were younger, or one that you have found in a Rainbow or Brownie book (see ‘Ideas for games and activities’ below).
If you are introducing a new game, think of the following.}} Will the girls find it fun?}} Is it suitable for the number and age of the girls?}} Do I need any equipment?}} How long will it take?}} Is there enough space to play the game?}} Will it be indoors or outdoors? (You may need to check the weather if it’s outdoors.)}} Can everyone take part in the game? If not, how can I adapt it so that they can?
When explaining the game, make sure you do the following.}} Have the full attention of the girls.}} Explain it clearly and make it sound exciting!}} Explain the rules and any scoring system.}} Have the equipment ready if you are using any.}} Finish the game while the girls are enjoying it.}} Stop playing the game if the girls are not enjoying it, or are finding it confusing. Do not worry if this happens and just try it again another time.
To help the girls decide what game to play you could try these ideas.}} Create a unit games book and let the girls take turns to choose a game from it each time.}} Write the names of the games on slips of paper. Fold them up and put them in a box or bag. Let a girl pick one out and play that game.
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© Girlguiding 2014 Registered charity number 306016 www.girlguiding.org.uk Rainbow and Brownie Helpers
}} Label different parts of the meeting area with game suggestions and ask the girls to run to the one they want to play.}} Give the girls two games to choose from and ask them to vote on their favourite.
Planning and running activitiesAs a Rainbow or Brownie Helper you will also be asked to plan and run activities. This might be for a small group of girls, or even the whole unit. Your Leaders will make sure that you have help so don’t panic. Use it as an opportunity to learn and practise how to lead and work with young girls.
Top tips for planning an activity}} Think about how much time you have for the activity, how many girls will be taking part and what materials you will need.}} Test the activity first. For example, if it is a craft like making a kite, make one yourself first, or with friends. This way you will know if the kite-making instructions work and you can see which steps the girls might find difficult and need more help with.}} Make sure all the equipment is ready for the girls. If there is something missing, ask your Leaders for help. }} Write out simple instructions to help you show the girls how to do the activity. Even if it is a simple activity, it is easy to get distracted and forget a step.}} Make sure you know how any equipment you are using works.
Ideas for games and activitiesThe Rainbow or Brownie Leaders will have great Rainbow or Brownie books full of ideas and inspiration for games and activities you could try with the girls. Ask the Leaders to let you borrow them. Below are some books that your Rainbow or Brownie unit should have.
RainbowsJigsaw Pieces is a Rainbow programme book full of activity ideas, including many that require little or no equipment. Rainbows also have books called Rainbow Roundabouts. There are seven Roundabouts available and each Roundabout has 40 activities.
}} Roundabout Rainbows - This Roundabout is full of activities based around the Rainbow programme areas of Look, Learn, Laugh and Love. }} Roundabout the World - This Roundabout is full of activities that encourage Rainbows to explore their world.}} Roundabout Festivals - The activities in this Roundabout are about celebrations and special times around the world.}} Roundabout Get Healthy - This Roundabout helps Rainbows to see how being healthy can be fun and to learn why it is important to stay healthy. }} Roundabout Global Adventure - This Roundabout takes Rainbows on a ‘global adventure’ exploring cultures and traditions, global issues, animals and wildlife, and international guiding. }} Roundabout Seasons - This Roundabout is full of seasonal activities. }} Roundabout All About Me - This Roundabout encourages Rainbows to explore everything about themselves!
BrowniesBrownie Adventures is the book that girls use while they are in Brownies. It is full of activities that cover the three areas of the Brownie programme – You, Community and World. Using activities from this book will also mean that you will be helping the Brownies earn their Adventure, Adventure On and More Adventures badges.
Brownie Adventure Files 1, 2 and 3 are the books used by Brownie Leaders. They are full of activity ideas including quick activities that need little or no equipment.
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© Girlguiding 2014 Registered charity number 306016 www.girlguiding.org.uk Rainbow and Brownie Helpers
Look as well at the Brownie badge syllabuses. They have lots of ideas for games and activities you can run to help Brownies earn their badges.
Involving girlsAs a Helper you will help Rainbows and Brownies to decide for themselves as much as possible what they want to do at meetings. These include what activities and games to do, where the unit could go for an outing and so on.
Rainbows make their unit decisions in a Rainbow Chat. Brownies make their unit decisions in a Pow-wow. Chats and Pow-wows are a way for every member of the unit, from the youngest Rainbows or Brownies to the adult Leaders, to have a say on what happens in the unit. You too will be able to have your say in a Chat or Pow-wow. They can happen whenever there is something important for the unit to share, discuss, decide or vote on.
Voting is usually how units make decisions. Letting Rainbows and Brownies vote on what they like also helps them learn how to deal with not always getting what they want. When you are helping girls make a decision by voting, it is usually easier if you start simple and give them just a few choices. For example, if you just asked the girls which charity they would like to support you would probably get a long list back. Giving them a choice of three and asking them to vote for their favourite will be much easier for them and you!
Here are some easy voting methods that you could try.
}} Girls close their eyes and put their hands up for their favourite. This method stops them copying their friends.}} Girls clap loudly or stamp feet hard for their favourite – the loudest wins. This method is useful for energising them.}} Girls close their eyes and reach up high for their favourite idea and crouch down low for least favourite. As well as stopping them from copying each other, it’s also fun and active.}} Girls run to different corners of the room, the ‘Yes’ corner, the ‘No’ corner or the ‘Maybe’ corner. A method with a bit of exercise thrown in!}} Girls show a big smile for their favourite idea and a miserable face for least favourite. Another fun method.}} Girls show a thumbs up to mean yes, hands held out flat to mean it is okay and a thumbs down to mean no.
Why should I become a Rainbow or Brownie Helper?By being a Rainbow or Brownie Helper you can have fun getting to know younger girls and sharing with them what you know. Looking after younger girls will also help you gain important leadership skills. These are great skills to have as they will help you for the rest of your life.
Some of the things you do as a Helper will also count towards your Guide badges and awards. These include:}} the Community action badge}} the community service part of the Guide Challenge badge}} the Community action part of the Commonwealth Award when you are 13.
What is expected of me?As a Rainbow/Brownie Helper you will have the chance to help plan and run meetings, organise and help with games and activities, and work with individual girls or small groups. You will need to show that you are serious about the role, and can be trusted by the Rainbow or Brownie Leader to do the following.
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© Girlguiding 2014 Registered charity number 306016 www.girlguiding.org.uk Rainbow and Brownie Helpers
}} Attend unit meetings regularly.}} Be reliable, be on time and set a good example to the girls in the unit.}} Wear your Guide uniform to meetings and when you are given your Rainbow or Brownie Helper badge, wear it on your uniform in the same way that you wear your Patrol Leader/Second or Patrol emblem badges. }} Make sure that you are looked upon by the girls as a helpful ‘big sister’ rather than a ‘big Rainbow or Brownie’ who wants to join in with all the games and activities.
You will not be expected to look after girls on your own without other Leaders nearby.
What do I need to know?Girlguiding has important rules that all Leaders have to follow to help keep our young members safe. The Rainbow or Brownie Leader of the unit you work with will talk to you about these to make sure you understand and follow them. If she hasn’t gone through them with you then please ask her to. They include:
}< Girlguiding’s Safety and Safeguarding Policy }< data protection}< communication with girls outside the meeting }< sharing images of girls}< confidentiality.
Leading and working with young girlsThere may be times when you have to deal with girls who don’t respond to you in the way that you want them to. Don’t worry, and try not to take it personally. Their behaviour could be down to any number of things that have nothing to do with you such as tiredness, an argument they had with their friend earlier, additional needs a girl has that means she needs extra help with tasks, and so on.
The first thing you should do if problems arise is ask the Leaders for help. Remember that you are not alone. Below are also some things you could try.
Noisy or disruptive girlsIf you have a girl who is noisy or being disruptive, try the following.}} Remain calm and continue to talk to the other girls. }} Give her something to do. }} Ask her what she would like to do instead if it’s the activity she doesn’t like.}} Set her a challenge to be quiet for two minutes.}} Talk more quietly – she will have to stop what she is doing to hear you.
What not to do.}} Don’t talk or shout louder over her.}} Don’t raise your voice to her. }} Don’t tell her off in front of the group.}} Don’t use sarcasm or make fun of her.}} Don’t set punishments.
Girls being quietIf you have a girl who is quiet and doesn’t respond to you, try the following.}} Observe her during the meeting to see if she is always quiet or if it is just with you.}} Talk to the Leaders to see if they know why she is so quiet – there may be a good reason.}} Make sure that you are giving her opportunities to speak.}} Give her something helpful to do, such as handing out some materials for an activity. }} Ask her direct questions so she has the chance to answer.}} Check with her that she understands what is going on and what she should do.
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© Girlguiding 2014 Registered charity number 306016 www.girlguiding.org.uk Rainbow and Brownie Helpers
What not to do.}} Don’t ignore it. With a bit of encouragement and support you can help her gain the confidence to speak out.}} Don’t make her embarrassed by pointing out to the group that she never says anything.}} Don’t force her to speak if she isn’t ready. Building confidence can take time, so be patient and keep trying the techniques above.
Girls dominating the groupIf you have a girl who is dominating the group, try the following.}} Give her specific instructions.}} Make use of her skills by asking her to give instructions or to help one of the other girls.}} Quietly remind her that others in the group need the opportunity to lead have their say.
What not to do.}} Don’t get into an argument with her.}} Don’t raise your voice or lose your temper.}} Don’t tell her that she is being too bossy. Being assertive is a good thing as long as you respect that others also have a say.}} Don’t treat her any differently to how you would treat others in the group.}} Don’t forget to ask for help from the Leader if the situation gets worse.
Girls not taking partIf you have a girl who is uncooperative and not taking part, try the following.}} Encourage her into taking part by praising her when she does well.}} Remind her that she is part of the team and when you work together and support each other the team can achieve more.}} Talk to the Leader to see if there is any reason that is causing her to act like this.
What not to do.}} Don’t ignore her as this will probably make her behaviour worse.}} Don’t shout at her or lose your temper.}} Don’t tell her to leave the team as she is not helping them.
For more leadership advice why not try the Beginning to Lead e-learning course? It is full of great tips that will help you as a Helper, and learn how to be a confident and creative leader in general.
I’m interested in being a Helper – what do I do?Talk to your Guide Leader first. She will talk to the local Rainbow and Brownie Leaders to find out if any units would like a Helper. You can then decide which unit would suit you best based on where and when they meet. You may want to visit a Rainbow and a Brownie unit first to help you decide which you would prefer to work with.
Being a HelperBeing a Helper should be enjoyable for you and the girls you are helping. Don’t be afraid to ask Leaders for help or advice. Never be afraid of making mistakes either – that is often the best way to learn! You will get back what you put in, in terms of effort and enthusiasm, so get involved and have lots of fun!
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© Girlguiding 2014 Registered charity number 306016 www.girlguiding.org.uk Rainbow and Brownie Helpers
Frequently asked questionsBelow are some answers to questions that you may have. If you are unsure about anything else speak to your Guide Leader or the Rainbow or Brownie Leader.
Do I have to be a Guide to be a Rainbow or Brownie Helper?Yes, if you leave Guides you cannot continue as a Helper.
I have just left Brownies. Can I be a Brownie Helper straight away?Ideally you should not become a Brownie Helper in your former Brownie unit until you have been a Guide for at least a year. This allows the Brownies to respect and listen to you as part of the Leadership Team rather than see you as one of their friends.
Do I need to have been a Rainbow or Brownie?No, you do not have to have been a Rainbow or Brownie, but if you were a Rainbow or Brownie you can use your experience to help the girls.
Will I be given a badge to show I am doing the role?Yes, you will be given your Rainbow or Brownie Helper badge by your Rainbow/Brownie Leader or Guide Leader once you have attended regularly and shown that you are committed to the role.
I don’t know if I want to be a Rainbow Helper or a Brownie Helper.Talk to your Guide Leader about visiting a Rainbow and a Brownie unit for a meeting so that you can see how the meetings run and what the girls are like. This should help you decide which one you feel would be best for you.
I have lots more questions about being a Helper. Who can I talk to?There are lots of people who can give you advice. Try your Guide Leader first. She may also be able to suggest other Guides you could talk to who are or have been Helpers. You can also talk to anyone in the Rainbow or Brownie Leadership Team. Everyone is there to support you and help you enjoy the role.
I’m almost 14 and have enjoyed being a Rainbow/Brownie Helper – what can I do next?If you enjoyed being a Rainbow/Brownie Helper, you can continue to develop your leadership skills as a Young Leader in a Rainbow, Brownie or Guide unit and work towards your Young Leader Qualification. Talk to your Guide Leader or the Rainbow/Brownie Leader for help and more information.
Useful links}} Beginning to Lead e-learning www.girlguiding.org.uk/guides > News and events > Rainbow and Brownie Helpers}} Brownie badge syllabuses www.girlguiding.org.uk/brownies > Badges}} Community action badge syllabus www.girlguiding.org.uk/guides > Badges & GFI > Badges > Community action}} Guide Challenge badge syllabus www.girlguiding.org.uk/guides > Badges & GFI > Badges > Guide Challenge}} Commonwealth Award syllabus www.girlguiding.org.uk/guides > Badges & GFI > Badges > Commonwealth Award}} Young Leader Qualification www.girlguiding.org.uk/theseniorsection > What can I do? > Awards and qualifications > Young Leader Qualification
