Overview
Second Step® Program is designed to help kids succeed in school and in life by teaching them skills for learning—such as focusing attention and listening—as well as how to manage their emotions, solve problems, and make friends. These skills can help them in the classroom, on the job, or wherever life takes them.
Second Step® Program is designed to help kids succeed in school and in life by teaching them skills for learning—such as focusing attention and listening—as well as how to manage their emotions, solve problems, and make friends. These skills can help them in the classroom, on the job, or wherever life takes them.
Benefits
How the program can benefit kids in the classroom and throughout their lives.
Better Learning
Second Step® lessons benefit kids by helping them build skills essential for success in school, in the workplace, and in life.
The program teaches skills for working in groups, disagreeing respectfully, and being assertive. These skills help kids be better learners and are essential for doing well in school. Kids who can pay attention and ask for help when they need it are more prepared to learn.
Better Friendships
Kids learn skills that help them control their own behavior, impulses, and emotions and consider others’ perspectives. They're also taught calming-down strategies. These skills make it easier for kids to listen and communicate effectively or pause and take a deep breath instead of reacting without thinking. Students who can manage their own behavior and emotions are better prepared to learn and get along well with others.
Less Bullying
Kids learn how to recognize bullying and how bystanders can affect bullying situations. These skills can help them defuse difficult situations and decide when and how to tell an adult they need help. Students use the assertiveness and perspective-taking skills they learned in the Empathy and Communication Unit to navigate through or even avoid bullying situations, making middle school a much safer and more pleasant place to be.
Substance Abuse Prevention
Kids also learn how certain substances—such as tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, and inhalants—can affect their brains and bodies. Students identify their hopes and plans for the future and are encouraged to think about how substance abuse could hinder those plans and have a negative effect on their relationships.
Students also make and sign a commitment to themselves not to use alcohol or drugs, and then to show it to an adult who cares about their future. This strengthens their resolve and ties their reasons not to use directly to the commitment.
For more grade specific details, check out the links below.
How the program can benefit kids in the classroom and throughout their lives.
Better Learning
Second Step® lessons benefit kids by helping them build skills essential for success in school, in the workplace, and in life.
The program teaches skills for working in groups, disagreeing respectfully, and being assertive. These skills help kids be better learners and are essential for doing well in school. Kids who can pay attention and ask for help when they need it are more prepared to learn.
Better Friendships
Kids learn skills that help them control their own behavior, impulses, and emotions and consider others’ perspectives. They're also taught calming-down strategies. These skills make it easier for kids to listen and communicate effectively or pause and take a deep breath instead of reacting without thinking. Students who can manage their own behavior and emotions are better prepared to learn and get along well with others.
Less Bullying
Kids learn how to recognize bullying and how bystanders can affect bullying situations. These skills can help them defuse difficult situations and decide when and how to tell an adult they need help. Students use the assertiveness and perspective-taking skills they learned in the Empathy and Communication Unit to navigate through or even avoid bullying situations, making middle school a much safer and more pleasant place to be.
Substance Abuse Prevention
Kids also learn how certain substances—such as tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, and inhalants—can affect their brains and bodies. Students identify their hopes and plans for the future and are encouraged to think about how substance abuse could hinder those plans and have a negative effect on their relationships.
Students also make and sign a commitment to themselves not to use alcohol or drugs, and then to show it to an adult who cares about their future. This strengthens their resolve and ties their reasons not to use directly to the commitment.
For more grade specific details, check out the links below.