Students learning important Life Skills®

Life Skills® Training is a comprehensive school-based substance abuse prevention program developed by Gilbert J. Botvin, PhD, who has been recognized nationally for his work in substance abuse prevention. Based on more than 20 years of scientific research, the Life Skills® Training program is designed to prevent tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use, and it addresses a wide-range of risk and protective factors by teaching personal and social skills in combination with drug resistance skills and normative education.

The Life Skills® elementary school curriculum in Middletown consists of three levels, totaling 24 class sessions. Each level is composed of eight class sessions covering areas of: self-esteem, decision-making, smoking information, advertising, dealing with stress, communication skills, social skills, and assertiveness.  Each training lesson has a specific goal and objective, and is taught by a Prevention Educator—who has been trained and certified by a Life Skills® Trainer. The interactive program strengthens student abilities in the following areas: personal self-management skills, general social skills, drug resistance skills.

As a lesson is being taught, the primary educator remains in the classroom, assisting the Prevention Educator as needed. A parent letter, detailing the specific skills being taught, is also sent home at the beginning of each topic.     

For more information on Life Skills® Training click here.