The fourth grade program emphasizes self-esteem through a series of four classroom sessions. Children learn to appreciate and verbalize the positive attributes of themselves and others and how outside forces affect self-esteem. They also learn to identify their role in how friends and family interact. A puppet show introduces the topic of divorce and feelings associated with family changes. Activities reinforce the identification and acceptance of mixed feelings and offer coping strategies.
Students learn basic communication skills and the importance of two way communication.
One of the most basic strategies is helping students identify people in their world who can offer support and advice. The fifth grade program is done in three sessions. It continues discussions and reinforces concepts from the fourth grade program while focusing more on coping strategies. Either a video or puppet show introduces the topic of family change. Other activities help students identify how those changes increase the demands on their time and to understand and identify feelings in time of crisis.