Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS)

The PATHS curriculum is a comprehensive program for promoting emotional and social competencies and reducing aggression and behavior problems in elementary school-aged children (grades K-6) while simultaneously enhancing the educational process in the classroom. The evaluation of the preschool version, called Head Start REDI, is treated separately by the Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development Registry and is not currently reviewed by DBHR. The Grade Level PATHS Curriculum consists of separate volumes of lessons for each grade level (K - 6), all of which include developmentally appropriate pictures, photographs, posters, and additional materials (www.channing-bete.com/prevention-programs/paths/). Five conceptual domains, integrated in a hierarchical manner, are included in PATHS lessons at each grade level: self-control, emotional understanding, positive self-esteem, relationships, and interpersonal problem-solving skills. Throughout the lessons, a critical focus of PATHS involves facilitating the dynamic relationship between cognitive-affective understanding and real-life situations. PATHS is designed to be taught two to three times per week (or more often if desired, but not less than twice weekly), with daily activities to promote generalization and support ongoing behavior. PATHS lessons follow lesson objectives and provide scripts to facilitate instruction, but teachers have flexibility in adapting these for their particular classroom needs. Although each unit of PATHS focuses on one or more skill domains (e.g., emotional recognition, friendship, self-control, problem solving), aspects of all five major areas are integrated into each unit. Moreover, each unit builds hierarchically upon and synthesizes the learning which preceded it. The PATHS curriculum is designed to be used by educators and counselors in a multi-year, universal prevention model. To encourage parent involvement and support, parent letters, home activity assignments, and information are also provided.