FAQ: Grades PreK-2 School Program

What do students learn when they participate in the Think First & Stay Safe™ Curriculum?

Students learn personal safety skills by way of developmentally-appropriate lesson plans and classroom activities. A central theme of the program is the importance of treating one another with kindness and respect. Students learn what constitutes healthy and respectful relationships, and learn that abusers are usually someone known to them, including family members.

They learn how to recognize and evade the Child Lures commonly used to groom and abuse youngsters. Using critical thinking skills, students practice avoidance and refusal strategies. The program emphasizes that crimes like bullying, harassment and sexual abuse are against the law. These behaviors don't have to be tolerated or kept secret, because all kids have rights, including the right to live free of abuse.

Do I have to buy separate age-appropriate programs/curricula for different grade levels?

No. All age-appropriate curricula modules (PreK-K, Gr1-2, Gr3-4, Gr5-6) are included with the purchase of the comprehensive Think First & Stay Safe™ program. (See details in next FAQ question below). You choose the module(s) your school or institution will teach based on your student body.

What training and teaching resources does the Think First & Stay Safe™ Adult Training  and Youth Curriculum kit contain?

I. Training Modules for Child-Serving Adults:

  • Welcome Module (4 min.)
  • Module I, Part 1, Youth Curriculum Introduction (17 min.)
  • Module I, Part 2, Child Sexual Abuse: Definitions, Facts, Myths & Reporting (39 min.)

II. Training Modules for Educators:

  • Module II, Curriculum Presentation Preparation (15 min.)
  • Module III, Grades PreK-K and Grades 1-2 Implementation (11 min.)
  • Module IV, Grades 3-4 Implementation (15 min.)
  • Module V, Grades 5-6 Implementation (17 min.)

III. Training Modules for Parents/Guardians:

  • Part 1, First Steps to Help Keep Children Safe; Understanding How To Prevent Child Sexual Abuse (29 min.)
  • Part 2, Next Steps for Preventing Child Sexual Abuse; Understanding Definitions, Facts and Myths (28 min.)
  • Part 3, How to Step Up & Speak Out for Children's Safety; Recognizing Signs of Child Sexual Abuse, Reporting Child Abuse & Creating a Family Safety Plan (18 min.)

IV. Presenter's Guide: Teacher's Training Manual.

  • Includes age-appropriate scripted Lesson Plans for interactive classroom presentations, Student Activities, Role Playing Scenarios, Positive Thinking Skills, Recommended Video Links, Posters, Parent Tools, Pre/Post Tests, & more.

V. Student Videos: 1) Luring: What Would You Do?:

  • Four realistic dramatizations show students how easily kids can be lured into unsafe/abusive situations. (Grades 3 and up.) 2) Tom's Secret: All Secrets Can Be Told; for Grades 3-6.

VI. Visual Aids for Youth Curriculum, including

Copy of the Parent Guide: This 20-page parent handbook summarizes the School Program and offers ideal home reinforcement. Available in English and Spanish.
⇓ View Parent Guide Sample

Is the Think First & Stay Safe™ curriculum evidence-based?

Yes. Think First & Stay Safe™ is based on data from original research by Ken Wooden, educator/author/investigative journalist, and ongoing research by his colleagues of thirty three years,  Jennifer Mitchell and Rosemary Webb. Jennifer and Rosemary co-wrote the program and have been instrumental in expanding it to address all forms of abusive behavior, including bullying and harassment. Jennifer & Rosemary oversee each annual program update to ensure best practices and the most relevant and balanced approach to teaching personal safety to today's technologically savvy youngsters. (SEE ALSO "History of the Child Lures School Program")

Independently-conducted comprehensive program evaluations document efficacy of the Think First & Stay Safe curriculum. These scientific evaluations were conducted by professionally-qualified evaluators, contracted by school districts. A current eight-year program evaluation (2010-2018) of Think First & Stay Safe will be released in June, 2018. The evaluation includes nearly 40,000 students from 1500 classrooms where prevention educators made five consecutive visits into each individual classroom for approximately 30-45 minutes each day. The evaluation documents students' consistent annual increase in personal safety knowledge and skills. (All data has been analyzed by a professional statistician and is considered statistically significant.)

Has the program been scientifically evaluated?

Yes, independently-conducted comprehensive program evaluations document the program's efficacy. See "Program Evaluations" for details. Also, by administering the included Pre/Post Tests, schools/orgs can gauge the program's effectiveness on a local level.

How often is Think First & Stay Safe™ updated?

Think First & Stay Safe™ is reviewed and updated annually to address the latest issues and safety concerns facing today's youngsters. These continuous updates are based on Child Lures Prevention's ongoing research, as well as the invaluable input of educators, parents and students.

Educators and parents are also encouraged to visit (and Like) CLP/TLP's Facebook page, Child Lures Prevention/Teen Lures Prevention, for daily posts on current research and news related to the health and personal safety of children and youth. For non-members of Facebook, please visit this website's home page, where CLP/TLP's daily FB posts are available for the public to view and read.

Does the Think First & Stay Safe™ School Program address bullying?

Students in Grades PreK-2 are taught the importance of treating one another with kindness and respect at home, at school and when using technology. Bullying is addressed in the Laws Help Protect Me lesson plan. Students learn the value of being responsible digital citizens at all times, as well as how to stand up for others and get help from trusted adults when necessary.

Does the program address peer-to-peer abuse?

Yes. As much as 30% of all childhood sexual abuse is perpetrated by children, on children. Think First & Stay Safe emphasizes that it is against the law for anyone - even a peer - to cross over the line from affection to abuse. Students practice effective strategies to prevent, deflect and report such behaviors, based on the most recent research. School policies and consequences are reviewed.

Is Think First & Stay Safe™ age-appropriate?

Yes. The six Presenter's Guide manuals contain age-appropriate lesson plans for PreK-K, Grades 1-2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5 and Grade 6. Classroom Activities and Student Handouts vary for PreK-Kindergarten and Grades 1-2.  The evidence-based curriculum is user-friendly and flexible for various learning environments. The curriculum consists of (7) Lesson Plans for PreK-K and (7) Lesson Plans for Grades 1-2.

Does the program offer a balanced perspective?

Yes. Youngsters are reassured throughout the program that the vast majority of people are safe and sincerely committed to the well-being of children. Those who harass, bully, abuse and otherwise mistreat children are the exception. A Positive Thinking Skill concludes each lesson to leave children in a positive frame of mind.

Who teaches Think First & Stay Safe™?

In schools, this turn-key program is typically taught by a school counselor, health educator, school nurse, or phys-ed or classroom teacher. The program can also be introduced or co-taught by a local Child Advocacy Center's Prevention Educator or a School Resource Officer.

How long does it take to teach the program?

Think First & Stay Safe™ can conform to the time constraints of any classroom. Its scripted lesson plans are designed to be taught in as little as 10 minutes. Many presenters opt to follow the suggested one week presentation timetables outlined in the program's Presenter's Guide; others create their own.

Formative assessments are incorporated throughout each Lesson Plan. A formal Summative Program Assessment is provided to use for pre-testing and post-testing. To document student progress and program retention in-house, schools and organizations are encouraged to administer the provided Program Evaluation for PreK-K and Program Evaluation for Grades 1-2 as both a Pre-Test and a Post-Test.

Think First & Stay Safe™ School Program aligns with recommendations set forth by NCMEC's guidelines for personal safety programs, as well as National Health Education Standards.

How do we involve parents?

For prevention programs to be most effectivInvite parents and guardians to view the program's Parent and Guardian Training Modules. Distribute the Parent Guide as a way to reinforce learned safety strategies at home and encourage family discussions. If implementing the Youth Curriculum, consider inviting parents and guardians to a Program Orientation prior to classroom presentations.

Does the Think First & Stay Safe™ School Program have permanence?

Yes. Once a school district or one of its schools adopts the Think First & Stay Safe™ Youth Curriculum, it becomes a permanent resource that may be incorporated into the existing health curriculum. Targeted grades, as well as new students and personnel, can be trained each year.

How are the Training Modules licensed for use?

The  Training Modules for Child-Serving Adults and Educators can be viewed by all staff within a single school/organization - as often as needed. The Training Modules for Parents and Guardians can be viewed by all parents and guardians of children attending the single school/organization - as often as needed.

How do we fund this program for each school in our district?

Schools employ Title I funding, Safe Schools Initiative, At-Risk Funds, PTA/PTO sponsorship, as well as general funds. Area businesses and civic organizations are usually more than willing to sponsor the Think First & Stay Safe School Program and/or Student Workbooks and Parent Guides for local schools. Click here for more information on funding options.

Can I read references or testimonials from schools that have implemented Think First & Stay Safe™?

Yes. Please see our Success Stories

How do I preview Think First & Stay Safe™ for my school or school district?

We welcome your request to preview the Think First & Stay Safe™ Youth Curriculum and Adult Training materials. The process is simple:

  • At your request, we send curriculum information.
  • We are happy to provide additional information or materials, should you need them.
  • We are readily available to answer any questions that may arise during your preview period.

To arrange a preview of the Think First & Stay Safe™ Youth Curriculum and Adult Training materials, please e-mail us the name, address and phone number of your organization, as well as a contact name.

How was Think First & Stay Safe™ developed?

Educator and Author Kenneth Wooden's original research and ground-breaking interviews with convicted child sex offenders constitutes the foundation of the program. National and international field work and research by co-authors Rosemary Webb and Jennifer Mitchell, coupled with evidence-based program updates, provide the most relevant and effective approach to teaching child personal safety. This is primary prevention education at its best.