Second Step

Second Step is D97’s core SEL and Tier 1 behavior curriculum that has been developed by the Committee for Children, a Seattle nonprofit that develops research-based SEL, bullying prevention, and child abuse prevention curricula and training for children from early learning through grade 8 and the adults who surround them. Second Step: Skills for Social and Academic Success for kindergarten through grade 5 is included in CASEL’s 2013 Guide, which means the full suite of kindergarten through grade 8 Second Step programs have received CASEL’s top honors.

Second Step teaches skills in the following four areas:

1. Skills for learning: Students gain skills to help themselves learn, including how to focus their attention, listen carefully, use self-talk to stay on task, and be assertive when asking for help with school work.
2. Empathy: Students learn to identify and understand their own and others’ feelings. Students also learn how to take another’s perspective and how to show compassion.
3. Emotional management: Students learn specific skills for calming down when experiencing strong feelings, such as anxiety or anger.
4. Problem solving: Students learn a process for solving problems with others in a positive way.

Each lesson takes 20-30 minutes weekly with daily 5-10 minute boosters. The kits include a weekly home and school connection that will promote transference of skills between environments for children.