Skills: Identifying and dealing with strong emotions; dealing with stress in healthy ways, communicating in assertive ways (I-statements, conflict resolution skill), asking for adult help, making healthy decisions
Functional Knowledge: Basic teen brain information/plasticity, how the brain works under strong emotions and stress; stress basics; benefits of mindfulness; tools for being mindful; qualities of healthy friendships; how to be a healthy/positive friend; passive/assertive/aggressive communication styles; benefits of assertiveness; qualities of helpful adults; when to get adult help; qualities of good decisions
Safety
Skills: Review/application of the 5 Rules of Safety (from Elementary School/Erin’s Law); practicing Internet Safety; understanding the rights & responsibilities of healthy Digital Citizens; being a courageous “Upstander;” responding to dangerous situations
Functional Knowledge: 5 Safety Rules; School Safety procedures (Fire Drill, Shelter in Place, Lock-Out, Lock-Down); potentially dangerous situations in public and how to stay safe
Alcohol, Tobacco (Vaping) and other Drugs (ATOD)
Skills: Using assertive refusal skills; analyzing influences on decisions regarding ATOD; making healthy decisions
Functional Knowledge: dangers of alcohol, marijuana, nicotine; effects of drugs on the teen brain/life
Your Changing Body
Skills: Recognizing influences on body image and how to develop a healthy body image; recognizing the normal developmental changes that occur with puberty; understanding that everyone’s journey through puberty is different
Knowledge: Body image; social, emotional, physical and cognitive changes of puberty; gender, gender identity, gender expression; basic anatomy & physiology of human reproductive systems; menstruation basics
What can parents do?
Use teachable moments in everyday life to reinforce family values related to health topics.
Support healthy lifestyles by modeling them at home.
Encourage your child to teach you the skills they are learning in class.
Contact your child's teacher directly with any questions or concerns.