_________________________________________________________________________
Beginning Alcohol and Addictions Basic Education Studies (BABES) is a primary prevention program designed to give children a lifetime of protection from substance abuse.
A BABE accomplishes this by assisting young people to develop positive living skills and by providing them with accurate, non-judgmental information about the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs.
This important information is presented in a manner designed to gain the attention of children and to enable them to develop a desire for healthful living and give them the ability to better understand how to protect themselves from alcohol and chemical dependency situations among their peers and within a family structure.
WHAT DOES BABES DO?The purpose of BABES is to enable children to learn and practice living/loving skills and make positive early decisions about alcohol and other drugs. BABES is a classic present-day application of affirmative life principles.
WHY START SO EARLY IN LIFE?Health-related attitudes, beliefs and behaviors are formed at an early age. Many psychologists believe these are set before age five. Responses of children to BABES demonstrate that attitudes regarding substance use and abuse and other health-related behaviors exist at this age and if not appropriate, these attitudes can be positively re-directed.
WHAT ARE THE LESSONS ABOUT?Each lesson is in story form and presented through puppetry. These stories and lessons are:
Lesson 1: Self-Image and Feelings (I’M LOOKING GOOD AND FEELING FINE) The concept of self-image is important because it fundamentally influences behavior. Feelings, and the way they are expressed, play a significant role in the development of self-image.
Lesson 2: Decision-Making and Peer Pressure (SHE MADE ME DO IT.DIDN’T SHE?) The concept of decision-making is important because the frequency of every day decisions is ever increasing. The ability to make timely and appropriate decisions helps to reduce stress. Persons with unsatisfactory decision-making skills often use drugs or alcohol to relieve this stress.
Lesson 3: Coping Skills (ACCEPTING THE THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE AND CHANGING THE THINGS I CAN) These skills enable an individual to respond to stress in ways that are effective. Children will be able to recognize the difference between effective and ineffective responses to stress. They also become aware that there are choices available to them when they are in any given situation.
Lesson 4: Alcohol And Other Drug Information (LET’S PLAY PARTY) Assist in responsible decision making about the use of these substances and the consequences. The information is factual and non-judgmental to facilitate a sound basis for future decisions. Some health related attitudes, including attitudes on the use of alcohol and other drugs, are formed at this age.
Lesson 5: Getting Help (RETREAT IS NOT DEFEAT AND FAILURE IS NOT FINAL)In this story, students will learn that all people need help at one time or another, and that it does not have to be an unpleasant experience. By teaching children the value of asking for help, it is established that taking a risk can sometimes be beneficial.
Lesson 6: Helping Children from Chemically Dependent Homes(When you don’t know what to do) Educates children from chemically dependent homes. The puppets discover the damage caused by living in a chemically dependent environment. The concept of your private body and how to protect it is discussed. The characters learn they have something to offer and they have the capacity to help one another.
Graduation The children review what they have learned from the stories. They discuss how and when their new knowledge will help them to live a healthy, happy life.