The Second Step Program

A Program at Timonium Elementary

Authors• The Committee for Children, the authors of the

Second Step program, is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to foster the social and emotional development, safety, and well-being of children through education and advocacy.

• Founded in 1997, Committee for Children, develops and distributes a wide range of educational materials, conducts original research, and offers training to parents, teachers, and other community professionals.

Purpose of Second Step

• Second Step is a program of curriculum designed to reduce aggressive behavior in children and increase their level of social skills and competence.

Goals of Second Step

1. To understand and get along better with others

2. To solve problems and use social skills3. To deal with anger

School-based Programs

• School-based programs create positive change since they can reach large numbers of children at an early age.

• Children learn to be: • more caring• solve their own problems• deal with anger in nonviolent and productive

ways.

Family Involvement

• The school and family are the two most important social-emotional learning environments for children.

• It is known that the more involved the parents are, the more successful their children are both socially and academically.

Skills Taught

• The program teaches skills in four main areas: empathy, impulse control and problem solving, and anger management. These skills are central to children’s healthy social-emotional development. Each skill involves feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Learning healthy ways of thinking is important in a child’s development.

OVERVIEW

• Empathy: It means identifying and understanding others’ feelings in order to be a more caring person.

• Empathy Skills1. Listening: Children and adults can understand others

just by improving listening skills.2. Recognizing and acknowledging others’ feelings: It is

important for parents to listen to their child’s feelings even if you disagree with those feelings.

3. “I feel when…” messages let a person know how his or her behavior affects you.

OVERVIEW• Impulse Control: Managing emotions can be

challenging. Most children could benefit by learning to slow down and think through options when faced with difficult situations or problems.

• Some ways to Calm Down:1. Taking deep breaths2. Counting3. Thinking calming thoughts4. Talking to yourself5. Doing something physically active6. Doing something quiet by yourself7. Getting support from an adult

Overview

• Calming down from strong emotions and controlling our first impulses are skills learned in the Second Step program. Practicing the skills at home is very important.

Overview

• What to do when you are angry:1. Ask yourself: How does my body feel?2. Take deep breaths3. Count forward or backward slowly4. Think calming thoughts5. Talk to yourself6. Think out loud to solve problems (use the

problem solving steps7. Think about it later.

OVERVIEW

• Problem Solving: ASK:– What is the problem?– What are some solutions?• For each solution, ask yourself…

– Is it safe?– How might people feel about it?– Is it fair?– Will it work?– Choose a solution and use it.– Is it working? If not, what can I do now?

Overview

• Anger Management: Anger and conflict are normal parts of life. Anger is not a bad emotion, but what a person does when angry can be a problem.