During this self directed learning you will:

• Experience using Girl Scout resource materials
• Choose ways to effectively manage your troop/group based on knowledge of girl development
• Examine the different elements of the Daisy Girl Scout program
• Recognize the standard parts of a Daisy Girl Scout meeting

In addition to this page, you need:

(Sung to the tune of I’m a Little Teapot)

The Girl Scout Program helps girls practice the fundamentals of the Girl Scout Movement. By working in small groups with adult leadership, girls experience activities and adventures developed around their needs and interests, helping them develop to their fullest potential, and increasing their understanding of the community, each other and themselves. In the Girl Scout Program, girls grow, learn and have fun by making decisions, doing and discovering for themselves!

The GUIDING PRINCIPLES of the Girl Scout program are founded on an ethical code derived from the Promise and the Law:

Every Daisy Girl Scout is unique and has different needs, interests and levels of development. Some girls may have traits that appear more mature, while other girls may still be developing in one or all of the development characteristics that are part of this age level.

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• Wants to do things herself to bolster her growing independence.

• Needs the approval and support of adults and peers.

• Is curious about people and the world around her.

• Can understand rules and tries to conform.

• Sometimes blames others for her own mistakes.

As a Daisy Leader, it is important to build on the strengths of each girl and recognize individual talents and abilities. Develop a friendly relationship with each girl and let her know she can trust you. Think like a Daisy Girl Scout. Always try to be at girls’ eye level. Sit or kneel whenever possible. Not only do you appear less threatening and more approachable, you will also give the girl a chance to look directly at you when she is talking.

To be sure your Daisy Girl Scouts understand you, use simple words and terms whenever possible. Attention span is short at this age, so be prepared to move rather quickly from one activity to another. When it is time to clean up, give a warning about five minutes in advance. When making a transition from one activity to another, be sure to say that’s what you are doing. Make certain activities aren’t too long or too difficult and vary the pace of the activities. Have other activities available for those who finish early.

Stay flexible!!! Five and six year olds may need extra time for activities or they may become frustrated if they can’t complete a task. Be willing to modify your plans to accommodate their needs.

The word "god" is subject to individual interpretation and encompasses a very wide range of spiritual beliefs. It is important for you and your Daisy Girl Scouts, to understand that serving God in a way that supports her and her family’s spiritual beliefs.

Insignia

Daisy Girl Scout Membership Pin Wear this pin on the left side, centered above the heart, on the Daisy Girl Scout tunic or on your regular clothing. Or wear it on the insignia tab in the same place. It is trefoil-shaped, with a daisy design. This pin shows that you are a member of Girl Scouts of the USA.

World Trefoil Pin Center this pin, if worn, above the Daisy Girl Scout Membership Pin. Place it in the same position on the insignia tab.

When Daisy Girl Scouts have learned the promise, they may receive the Girl Scout Promise center, a patch that can be placed right in the center of their Daisy Tunics. For learning each part of the Girl Scout Law, girls may receive a Daisy Learning Petal. They are placed around the Center in any order determined by each girl. The girls can earn the petals in any sequence, but it is important that they show some understanding of the concept in order to receive the award.

 The Petal colors correspond to a phrase from the Law:

Born Juliette Gordon Low, but called "Daisy" by family and friends. Daisy Girl Scouts like to know that their Girl Scout age group is named after GS,USA’s founder. Many events in Juliette’s life can be used to teach Daisy Girl Scouts valuable lessons about courage, perseverance and leadership. Girls may want to complete the activity called "The First Daisy" on page 16 and 17 in the Daisy Girl Scout Activity Book. It is also a great time to tell the "Daisy Tales" that can be found on page 25-27 of the Guide for Daisy Girl Scout Leaders, This will give the girls an opportunity to share the things they like and compare how they may be like Juliette in some way.

Planning will be easier with a troop/group committee. This committee consists of adults who will help you plan the troop year. They may be:

With the committee you will be able to generate a year long plan based on the developmental interests of the girls. Family involvement in Girl Scouting helps everyone feel like they are part of Girl Scouting and encourages a sense of security for the Daisy Girl Scout.

Ways to involve families during the troop/group year include sending out troop/group newsletters on what the girls are doing. You may want to invite family members to experience troop/group picnics, hikes or camping weekends. Also ask family member to attend investitures, bridging activities, sports events and potluck events. Asking is often the key to family involvement.

The Daisy Girl Scout troop/group meeting is a special time for the girls as they learn to work together in a variety of fun activities. It can also be a fun experience for you, the Leader. Time spent planning can make the experience more rewarding. Page 50-55 lists tips and activities that will help you have an enjoyable, successful meeting.

It is basic to Girl Scouting that girls be given the opportunity to have a say in what they are doing. Each age level has its own form of troop/group government to facilitate girls making choices and, as they get older, planning. Through the Daisy Girl Scout circle, girls become part of a formal group decision-making process. This is an organized time for girls to express their ideas and talk about activities they enjoy. Once the girls have shared their ideas, they can vote to finalize their calendar of events.

As a Girl Scout leader, you are responsible for registering all girl and adult members and collecting national membership dues each year. The Registrar of your Neighborhood will have these forms available for you and will help you complete them.

An informal ceremony may be held at the very beginning of the year to welcome the girls and their families to Girl Scouting. An investiture Ceremony may also be held. An investiture ceremony is a very special, formal ceremony that symbolizes the beginning of Girl Scouting. A Daisy Girl Scout usually wears her uniform for the first time at the investiture ceremony and can make the Girl Scout Promise for the first time. The Daisy Girl Scout pin is pinned to the left side of her uniform over her heart.

The Parent-Daughter Syndrome refers to problems some leaders have with their own daughter. While she is very proud you are the leader, she has trouble sharing you. She will misbehave just to get your attention.

Leaders often treat their daughters as daughters and not Girl Scouts. You expect too much or too little from her. She always is expected to clean up. If there isn’t enough to go around, she loses out.

1. Let her know you understand her mixed feelings of pride and jealousy.
2. Have your co-leader deal with her.
3. Have her call you whatever the other girls do.
4. Expect her to live by troop/group rules during meetings, not home rules.
5. Don’t tell her about things you’ve planned that the other girls don’t know.
6. Effective girl planning will help the entire troop/group have ownership of the program.
7. Set aside some special, non-Girl Scouting time to spend with her.

Daisy Girl Scouts are thrilled to go on short trips. These may be to a nearby park, a museum or any age-appropriate out of door experience that provides girls with a good foundation for troop camping at the Brownie Girl Scout age level. Safety is the most important consideration. Keep these tips in mind:

The Buddy Plan is going by "twoseys" (or "threeseys", if there is an odd number). It is the Girl Scout way of ensuring that everyone has someone looking out for them.  A buddy can warn of danger; give assistance; call or go for help. A buddy can be your special friend for that day.

When Girl Scouts have to leave the meeting place to go to the restroom or for a drink of water, they go with a buddy. When swimming, hiking, on a field trip or running an errand, Girl Scouts go with a buddy. In other words, just about always!

Buddies can be chosen by a random drawing or by a rotation system. Sometimes, the leader may want to have the Girl Scouts choose their own buddies. Sometimes, the leader may choose buddy pairs. For some activities, such as swimming, buddies should have about the same level of ability (e.g., non-swimmers with non-swimmers). For cookouts, it's easier if buddies are in the same kaper group.

Buddy checks are conducted by the leader or adult in charge. Upon a prearranged signal, each person finds her buddy, clasps her hand and holds it up. The leader can then spot any unattached Girl Scouts. The leader also counts the buddy pairs to make sure none are missing. Frequent buddy checks are especially important during swimming periods.