The message of Stand Strong • Stay Safe is simple:
- I deserve respect (and so do my classmates/teachers).
- I have the right to be safe (and I know what is safe).
- I have the power to choose (and I can choose an assertive response).
- I will get help (and I will keep telling until I get the help I need).
- It’s not my fault if someone harms me.
It is up to adults to keep children safe. Sadly, children must often handle unsafe situations on their own. Like a vaccine against disease, Stand Strong • Stay Safe prepares children to act as their own first line of defense against unsafe situations.
The Stand Strong • Stay Safe – Elementary series offers personal safety education to 2nd through 5th (and sometimes 6th) grade students. By teaching assertiveness and emotional literacy skills, this series helps build a strong foundation for students to stand up for themselves and others, get help when faced with unsafe situations, and contribute to positive, safe communities as they grow. Through two vertically-aligned curricula, age-appropriate lessons address bullying, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and other challenges.
Stand Strong • Stay Safe - Elementary Foundation
Students learn the Stand Strong Superpowers and watch or read short comics to engage them in safety conversations with trained presenters. This curriculum is appropriate for students in grades 2-5. For best results, this curriculum must be taught before Elementary Extension.
- Lesson 1: Be Assertive
- Lesson 2: Boundaries and Consent
- Lesson 3: Emotional Safety
- Lesson 4: Body Safety
- Lesson 5: Understanding Physical Abuse
Stand Strong • Stay Safe - Elementary Extension
Students who have already participated in the Foundation curriculum may extend their learning through the Extension curriculum. Scenarios focus on relationships and offer a deeper look at many of the topics covered in Foundation.
- Lesson 1: Safe Relationships
- Lesson 2: Managing Emotions to Stay Safe
- Lesson 3: Handling Conflict
- Lesson 4: Stopping Abuse
About the Characters
The characters in the Stand Strong • Stay Safe comics are designed to connect with today’s elementary students. Each character faces a realistic challenge and demonstrates positive character strengths to solve problems in safe and respectful ways.
The characters reflect common situations that can increase a child’s risk for bullying or abuse, including behavior challenges, physical differences, or learning needs. By seeing diverse experiences represented in age-appropriate ways, students learn to recognize unfair treatment, respond safely, and support one another with respect and care.
Curriculum Includes
- 2 vertically aligned curriculum levels (Lower Elementary for 2nd-3rd grade and Upper Elementary for 4th-5th grade), each consisting of five 30- or 45-minute lessons
- Presentations with video or stories featuring superhero characters, role-play, and discussion
- Access to Parent Guide and Upper Elementary Home Connections.
Curriculum Training
Curriculum training prepares educators and volunteers to teach this program in 2nd through 5th Grade classrooms. Support, coaching, and materials needed for implementation are included in the training.
Training Goals
Participants of curriculum training will:
- Understand how adverse childhood experiences and trauma affect children
- Be able to recognize signs of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse andrespond appropriately to disclosures
- Learn effective implementation techniques for each lesson throughdemonstration and practice
- Connect with ChildBuilders’ staff for ongoing support and coaching
- Gain access to all curricula and materials needed to implement the program.
Training Details
Time: 6 Hours, including CE Credits for Texas teachers, social workers, and LPC’s.
Cost: $325 per participant, minimum of 8 participants
Includes digital curriculum and materials via ChildBuilders Online.
