The School Counseling Department has completed Lesson 1 of our PATH Curriculum. The lesson was entitled “My Go-To People”. 

PATH’s Educator FYI: If you trust someone, you believe that they are honest, sincere, and that they will never deliberately seek to harm you. There really isn’t data that can support how you can just know that you can trust someone. It takes time and experiences to develop the feeling of trust. Children learning when to trust and distrust other people is an essential skill. It is a skill that will protect them from harm.

Lead learners and parents, it is essential to check for level of understanding with each learner  when it comes to the words describing a Go-To person. Re-introduce them to words such as the following: TRUST, PROTECT, SAFE, KIND, HELP, CARE, LOVE, LISTEN, and SUPPORT. Most importantly, help your learners/child(ren) gain insight into who would be a safe and trusted person. In doing so, this promotes safety and aids in prevention.

Questions to ask your learner/child: 

1. Who are some of your Go-To People? 

2. Why does _____________ make you feel safe?

3. Why do you trust ______________? 

4. What makes a person unsafe?

5. What are safe {or unsafe} choices?

The School Counseling Department has completed Lesson 2 of our PATH Curriculum. For each community, the lessons were entitled “My Internal Alarm.”

PATH’s Educator FYI: According to erinslaw.org, nearly 90 percent of children who experience sexual abuse know their abuser. It is important that children learn to trust their instinct, gut feelings, or internal alarms to be able to know when to seek help. Young children do not have the skills yet to comprehend the gravity of the abusive behavior. So, it is important that at this young age, we address those situations by referring to boundaries or keeping our hands to ourselves.

Lead learners and parents, discuss with your child/learner the purpose of their internal alarm. Explain to them it tells them when to get help. No feeling are too minor or too major. Just Tell! Re-introduce them to words such as the following: GO-TO PEOPLE/PERSON, COURAGE, BRAVE, SAFE vs. UNSAFE TOUCH, FEELINGS (EMOTIONS). Lastly, make sure they understand that they can be the “boss of their own body” by always taking action in order to stop others from hurting them or forcing them to do something that their internal alarm warns against. 

Questions to ask your learner/child: 

1. Statement: Review their list of personal Go-To People.

2. What is your internal alarm?

3. What should you do if your internal alarm goes off?

4. What does it mean to be the “boss of your own body”?

5. What is considered your personal space or personal boundary?

The School Counseling Department has completed Lesson 3 of our PATH Curriculum. For each community, the lessons were entitled “The Choice is Yours.”

PATH’s Educator FYI: According to the Jason Flatt Foundation, alcohol and drug use, which clouds judgment, lowers inhibitions, and worsens depression, are associated with 50- 67% of suicides. When the adults in a student’s life teach them how to make healthy choices, they are providing them with the foundation that can prevent future substance abuse.

Lead learners and parents, discuss with your child/learner the importance of not only making good choices, but also HEALTHY choices. Making a good choice can be hard to do sometimes. It may not always be super easy to tell, but remember that the best way to make a good choice is to take the time to think about your options and what consequence could happen with your choice. If you are still  having a difficult time choosing, just remember to listen to your warning feelings or internal alarm and this would be a good time to go to one of your Go-To People to help you make the right choice.

Re-introduce them to words such as the following: CHOICES, HEALTHY, SAFE,  SELF-RESPECT, and always remind them of their GO-TO PEOPLE/PERSON. Remind them to treat themselves kindly, don’t let others treat them badly, be good to their body, and be proud of who they are!

Questions to ask your learner/child: 

1. Statement: Review their list of personal Go-To People.

2. What is an example of a good/healthy choice?

3. What is the difference between tattling and reporting?

4. WHO is responsible for the choices you make?

5. What healthy choices can you make each day to protect your mind, body, feelings, and relationships?