SEATTLE, WA (MMD Newswire) March 24, 2009 -- Grownups who have problems getting along with each other-adjusting to new situations, recognizing the feelings of others, or using thinking skills to resolve conflicts-might turn to some of the Head Start children at Denise Louie Education Center in Seattle, WA, for some tips. Nearly 86 percent of the center's students had mastered these skills by age 4.

The Denise Louie Education Center helps its 180 refugee, immigrant, and in-need children gain these skills through its partnership with Committee for Children, a Seattle nonprofit and creator of the acclaimed Second Step: A Violence Prevention Program

"We've been using the Second Step early childhood curriculum in our classrooms for 12 years," said Janice Deguchi, executive director of the center. "The program teaches children problem solving and social-emotional skills, which are critical for their development."

As they prepare for kindergarten, children not only need to have skills such as counting, knowing letters and the sounds they make, and being able to work in small groups, they also need to be ready-and able-to get along with each other, understand and manage their feelings, and know how to share and solve problems.

According to a recent evaluation of the Denise Louie program, 86 percent of the program's 4-year-olds had mastered such skills as adjusting to new situations, taking responsibility for their own well-being, following classroom rules and routines, sharing and respecting their rights and responsibilities, and recognizing the feelings of others.
Only 45 percent of the 3-year-olds had mastered the skills.

"These results are especially significant when you consider that over 80 percent of the center's families speak languages other than English at home," said Joan Cole Duffell, executive director of Committee for Children, which produces the Second Step program.

"Early childhood educators often face challenges in getting young children of multiple language backgrounds to communicate with one another and resolve problems peacefully," continues Duffell. "Denise Louie teachers know this-they're using Second Step to build a common language of mutual respect, building social, emotional, cultural, and academic competence-and their efforts are making a real difference for these kids."

Duffell also applauded fact that each child at Denise Louie has an individualized learning plan developed jointly with the parent that lists outcomes in social-emotional development, literacy, language development, mathematics, physical health, science, creative arts, and approaches to learning. "This way the parent is learning some of these skills, too," she said.

About Committee for Children:
Committee for Children, a Seattle, WA-based nonprofit, is dedicated to fostering the social and emotional development, safety, and well-being of children through education and advocacy. The organization's evidence-based programs reach more than 9 million children in 25,000 schools around the world. More information: www.cfchildren.org.

Committee for Children
568 First Avnue Suite 600
Seattle, WA 9810
www.cfchildren.org

CONTACT: Dorothy Dubia - 206-438-9964; 206-300-2933[ ddubia@cfchildren.org

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