Woods School

1.  Increasing children's abilitites to think and solve problems for themselves

2.  Increasing children's abilities to use their thinking skills to act responsibly and maturely

3.  Improving children's understanding of themselves and others

4.  Improving children's feelings about themselves (that is, improving their self-esteem)                                

5.  Increasing children's abilities to learn more effectively in the classroom environment 

The authors of PATHS believe that the five goals listed above are critical for efficient learning. When children can think independently, feel good about themselves, and act responsibly, then they are likely to be motivated, to work up to their potential, and to persist when they are experiencing difficulties.

By teaching your child these thinking skills, PATHS will be teaching him or her how to learn. In addition, the academic skills covered during the lessons should be of educational benefit for your child, both now and in the future.

Finally, many parents have noted that the concepts that are taught in PATHS are among the most important goals that they have at home. Therefore, improvement in your child's skills should also be helpful for you and your child in your family environment.

Parents are a child's most important models and teachers. As such, you are the most important influence on your child's development!

The more that you understand about the PATHS Curriculum, the more you will be able to help reinforce and support your child's learning and development. By joining together in using positive ways to teach children self-control, emotional understanding, and problem solving both at home and at school, teachers and parents can create better learning envirronments and enhance developmental growth.

1.  STOP and CALM DOWN

2.  Identify the PROBLEM (collect lots of information)

3.  Identify the FEELINGS (you own and other people's)

4.  Decide on a GOAL

5.  Think of lots of SOLUTIONS

6.  Think about the CONSEQUENCES (what might happen)

7.  Choose the BEST solution (evaluate all of the alternatives)

8.  Make a good PLAN (think about the possible obstacles)                                        

9.  TRY MY plan

10. EVALUATE —  How did I do?

11. If you need to, TRY AGAIN