Strong Start: A Social and Emotional Learning Curriculum for Students in Grades K-2 (Strong Kids)

Social-emotional competence—it's a critical part of every child's school success, and just like any academic subject, children need instruction in it. Developed by a top expert, these proven curricula will help promote the social-emotional competence and resilience of children and adolescents.

Divided into four age levels from kindergarten through high school, these innovative social and emotional learning curricula are filled with engaging, thought-provoking class activities that help students develop vital skills they'll use for the rest of their lives: understanding emotions, managing anger, relieving stress, solving interpersonal problems, and much more. Each Strong Kids curriculum is

• Easy for non-mental-health experts. Each highly structured, partially scripted curriculum is ready for any professional to pick up and start using.
• Evidence-based. Field testing shows that these curricula generate positive responses from students and teachers and really help increase students' knowledge of healthy social-emotional behavior.
• A great way to boost academic skills. Lessons help improve critical literacy, listening skills, and memory skills while they promote social and emotional health.
• Brief enough to fit into any program. Lessons take just 30 to 45 minutes, and each curriculum is used for a maximum of 10-12 weeks.
• Age-appropriate. Choose from four curricula, each carefully tailored to the specific needs and experiences of its targeted age group.
• Effective for all children in any setting. Use Strong Kids with children across ability levels in settings like classrooms, group counseling sessions, and youth treatment facilities.
• Low-cost and low-tech. Strong Kids costs far less than similar programs and requires few extra resources.

Lessons in each curriculum include optional, easily adaptable scripts, sample scenarios and examples, creative activities, and "booster" lessons that reinforce what students learned.

Every school and early intervention program will benefit from the lasting effect of these four curricula: strong, resilient students with fewer mental health and behavior problems and better academic outcomes.

Learn more about the Strong Kids series.

Kenneth W. Merrell, Ph.D. is a professor of school psychology in the Department of Special Education and Clinical Sciences at the University of Oregon. He has served as School Psychology Program Director and Co-director as well as Department Head.

Danielle M. Parisi, Ph.D., is a Research Scientist with Amplify, an educational technology company. She is a school psychologist whose work emphasizes prevention and early intervention for improving academic and social outcomes for students. She conducts research and provides professional development in the areas of Response to Intervention/Multi-tiered Systems of support, evidence-based instructional practices, and data-based decision making.

Sara A. Whitcomb, Ph.D., is currently Associate Professor in the School Psychology program in the Department of Student Development at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. She teaches courses pertaining to developmental psychopathology, psychology in the classroom, behavioral assessment, and school-based consultation. Dr. Whitcomb works with several school districts on their implementation of School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support, and her current research efforts include investigation of quality implementation features and consultation related to school-based behavioral and social-emotional learning efforts. She has co-authored several articles, the fifth edition of a textbook entitled, Behavioral, Social, and Emotional Assessment for Children and Adolescents, and she has previously held positions as a special education and general education teacher in grades K–8.

Hill M. Walker Ph.D. is Director of Center on Human Development, College of Education, University of Oregon