Escape Now

Second Step: A Violence Prevention Curriculum

Second Step is a curriculum from the Committee For Children, a nonprofit organization that seeks to foster the social and emotional development, safety, and well-being of children through education and advocacy. To learn more about Second Step and Committee for Children, access their website at www.cfchildren.org

Why Do We Need Second Step?

Second Step integrates academics with social and emotional learning. Kids from preschool through 8th grade learn and practice vital social skills, such as empathy, emotion management, problem solving, and cooperation. These essential life skills help students in the classroom, on the playground, and at home.

Social and emotional skills training has been linked to fewer classroom disruptions, decreased absences, and higher grades among children (Shriver and Weissberg, 2005). Psychologist Dr. Daniel Goleman (1995) had reported children who are better able to manage their emotions can pay attention better and absorb and remember information better. Best of all, children's emotional intelligence will serve them long after they become adults.

What Is The Format of Second Step?

The Second Step curriculum is divided into six kits: Preschool-Kindergarten, Grades 1-3, Grades 4-5, and three levels for Grades 6-9. For elementary students the main lesson format is the use of an 11" x 17" photo lesson card. The teacher shows the photograph to the class and follows the lesson outline on the reverse card. The lesson techniques include discussion, teacher modeling of skills, and role plays.

The lessons in the curriculum for grades 6-8 center on a discussion, activity, and role play format. Grades 6-8 kits include discussion lessons, overhead transparencies, and DVDs which show students modeling specific behavioral skills.

At each grade level, the lessons build sequentially and should be taught in the order intended. The lessons vary in length from 20 minutes at the preschool level to 50 minutes in grades 6-8. Lessons are presented once a week. There are approximately 20 lessons for each grade.

What Skills Are Addressed In Each Unit?

Second Step teaches the same three skill units at each of the grade levels: Empathy, Impulse Control, and Anger Management.

Empathy means identifying and understanding others' feelings in order to be a more caring person. Students learn how to identify and predict feelings of others and provide an appropriate emotional response.

Most children could benefit by learning to slow down and think through options when faced with difficult situations or problems. Students learn skills in problem solving and effective communications , and they receive training in applying these skills to specific social behaviors. Anger and conflict are a normal part of life.

Anger in itself is not bad, but problems arise when anger is dealt with poorly. Students learn techniques to reduce stress and redirect angry feelings in order to prevent violent reactions.

How Do We Implement Second Step?

Training makes a powerful difference. Educators who invest in training sustain the program successfully over a longer period of time. Success means providing students with the skills they need to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. While the classroom teacher should be the primary presenter, Prevention Educators from The Center For Prevention of Abuse are available to assist with facilitating the classroom lessons. Second Step skills and behaviors should be reinforced school or agency wide by all staff members, which is why all staff should be adequately trained in the use of the Second Step. A system for ongoing implementation support should be in place within each school or agency, and the Prevention Department assists in schools, districts, and agencies in staff training, ordering materials from the Committee for Children, and implementation plans.

To learn more about Second Step, contact the Prevention Services Department at (309)691-0551.