Second Step is a research-based program that is being taught by K-5 teachers in the classroom throughout the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. It is a social skills curriculum, with one kit per grade level. Teachers shows students a black and white photographic card with each weekly lesson. There is a story about what is happening on the card, and questions to ask the students, followed by role playing. Children pretend to be detectives looking for clues as they learn how to identify their own feelings, the feelings of others, and to solve social problems in a caring way. Specific steps are taught for managing strong emotions, such as think calming thoughts, take deep breaths and count backwards. Puppets, videos and songs are all part of the fun in learning new social skills.

For more information check out the Committee for Children website at http://www.cfchildren.org/ or contact the district Second Step teacher trainer, Debbie Roof, at droof@srvusd.net.