Second Step Programme

Teacher trainings, bullying prevention, innovative methods, violence

Specialized Programme

Teachers, parents, pupils

Children Support Center

Lithuania

English

Parents, Teachers, Young People.

The Second Step programme started in Lithuania in 1999. In 2008 the Second Step programme is being implemented in 89 social organizations across Lithuania.

„Second Step" helps children learn vital social and emotional skills. It is geared toward preventing aggressive behavior in children, and teaching children how to manage their emotions, avoid acting impulsively, resolve conflict, solve problems and understand the consequences of their behavior. Since the program's introduction, teachers using the program in their classrooms have responded positively and confirmed positive long term effects. According to teachers, children learn to be more spontaneous, are not afraid to voice their opinions, and are able to find more varied solutions to problems. Children also are better able to voice their feeling (instead for resorting to fighting), and the incidences of aggressive behavior have decreased. In addition, children who, participate in the program are better able to focus their attention and their academic performance improved. Studies show that there is a direct correlation between social and emotional skills and academic achievement.

The program uses kits which consist of photo lesson cards. On one side of the card are instructions for the teacher and on the other side - a photo. 26 cards are used in the first grade, 22 in the second grade, 18 in the third grade and 26 in the fourth grade. Using the information and guides provided, teachers conduct lesson that are 30 - 40 minutes long.

Also included in the kits are: a video cassette or DVD, which show the five parts of a lesson, and 3 classroom posters: „Ways to Calm Yourself Down", „What to Do When You are Angry" and „How to Solve Problems".

Children learn and practice vital social and emotional skills through role play, repetition and positive reinforcement.

According to teachers who worked with this programme, children learned to be more free, to express their opinion and view without fear, to find more and more diverse solutions, and learned to express their feelings in a verbal way, rather than fighting or using aggressive conflicts options. In addition to this, children participating in the program have been able to gather more attention, to be able to concentrate more and more easily, began to study better. Already it has been approved by professionals, that is a direct link between children's social - emotional skills and achievements in science.

Classroom management, Teacher training, Cooperative group work.

As regards aid for teachers, this program is very good tool for teachers since the program interesting and suitable for the child - the various forms of activity, it is easy to use in classroom. This programme was evaluated very well by the teachers who used it, by pupils who participated and by parents who saw the benefit in their children life.

With the program material is allowed to work only class teacher who participated in the special 24-hour "second step" training programme and who received a certificate.

Feedback and comments about this programme are provided in the website:
http://lt.pvc.lt/page.php?id=104&e=78&c=5 pages

The Republic of Lithuania ministry of education and science in the year 2009 - 2010 supports the "Second Step" trainings at schools. If You didn't get into these groups, You can pay for them. Please contact us: 8 5 2715980, 8 61143567 and we will give You more information about it. The fee for training includes:

A 24 hour (3 days) training program for two teachers;
One program curriculum kit (cards, DVD, Teacher's Guide, placard);
Fees for copyrights;
Lunch and coffee breaks.

http://www.bepatyciu.lt/mokykloms/kitos-smurto-prevencins-programos-diegiamos-lietuvoje/antras-zingsnis-second-step/

www.pvc.lt

Vida Drąsutė

Kaunas University of Technology

Project's "I am not scared" manager in KTU