1. Building Blocks for a Healthy Future An Early Childhood Initiative of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

2. Presentation Overview Topics covered: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) overview; Building Blocks for a Healthy Future (Building Blocks) initiative; and Overview of Building Blocks materials and their use.

3. SAMHSA’s Mission and Strategic Initiatives Reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities. Mission 1.Prevention of substance abuse and mental illness 2.Health care and health systems integration 3.Trauma and justice 4.Recovery support 5.Health information technology 6.Workforce development 1.Prevention of substance abuse and mental illness 2.Health care and health systems integration 3.Trauma and justice 4.Recovery support 5.Health information technology 6.Workforce development Strategic Initiatives 5

4. Behavioral health is essential to health. Prevention works. Treatment is effective. People recover. SAMHSA’s Key Messages

5. What Is Building Blocks? Building Blocks is an early childhood substance misuse prevention initiative for parents and caregivers to help young children develop the positive behaviors and social skills that can help them avoid underage drinking and other drug use as they grow older.

6. 6 Building Blocks Research Base According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), early substance abuse prevention programs should : – Build social skills, reduce aggressive behaviors, and increase self-control among children; – Use developmentally appropriate and interactive learning methods; – Enhance family bonding and relationships, improve parenting skills, and increase parental involvement; and – Provide age-specific and culturally sensitive material. Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2011). DrugFacts: Lessons from Prevention Resources, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/lessons.html.http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/lessons.html

7. Building Blocks Research Base (cont.) Enhance protective factors. Reverse or reduce risk factors. Risk FactorProtective Factor Early aggressive behaviorSelf-control Lack of parental supervisionParental monitoring Lack of attainment and nurturing by parents/caregivers Parental involvement/creation of a strong parent–child bond Examples of risk and protective factors for substance abuse by young people Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2003). Preventing Drug Use among Children and Adolescents: A Research-Based Guide, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/preventingdruguse_2.pdf https://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/preventingdruguse_2.pdf

8. Building Blocks and Protective Factors Protective steps against future substance use: 1.Establish and maintain good communication with children; 2.Spend quality time with children; 3.Create age-appropriate rules and applying them consistently; 4.Be a positive role model; 5.Teach children how to make friends and get along with their peers; and 6.Actively monitor the activities, feelings, and health of children.

9. 9 Why Begin So Young? Building Blocks targets parents, caregivers, and educators of children ages 3 to 6 because: This age range is a critical time period when children start forming emotional and social patterns of behaviors. A pattern of positive early interaction and parental involvement provides future benefits both academically and socially. Children as young as age 3 are aware of the use of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs, whether the use takes place in their personal lives or in the media..

10. 10 Goals for Children Building Blocks aims to help children: Learn how to communicate their feelings, thoughts, and needs; Practice positive social skills and making decisions; and Form healthy, lifelong habits and attitudes.

11. 11 Goals for Parents and Educators Building Blocks aims to help: Educate parents and caregivers on the basics of early childhood substance misuse prevention; Reinforce skills that will enable parents and caregivers to better nurture and protect their children; and Assist in the development of risk- resistant children.

12. 12 Positive Outcomes Build children’s skills to improve: Resilience; Self-confidence; and Social/emotional health.

13. Building Blocks Friends Wally Bear Miguel Tiger Ali Rabbit Thurgood Turtle Sandy Squirrel Kristi Kitty Mee Possum

14. Building Blocks Friends (cont.) Ali Rabbit Hi there, I’m Ali Rabbit. I have a really big family. I live with my mom and dad, my grandparents, and my great-grandpa. I also have six brothers and sisters. The youngest is 2, and the oldest is 17. I’m 5. How big is your family? Do you have a favorite sport? Mine is soccer. I like to practice kicking the ball as straight as I can. How straight can you kick a ball? I’m going over to my friend Thurgood’s house to play on the computer later. Sometimes, we use the computer to make music! How do you make music?Thurgoodmake music I’m hungry! I’m going to go make a fruit-and-yogurt smoothie with my older sister before going to Thurgood’s. Hi, I’m Sandy Squirrel. I live with my mom and stepdad on Friendship Circle. Sometimes on the weekends, my older stepbrother and stepsister live with us, too. I’m the youngest—I’m 6 years old. My friend Benny also lives with us. He’s big and pink and furry. I know he’s imaginary, but he’s still fun to play with! We paint pictures together and play chess, too. Do you have an imaginary friend? I love to climb the trees in Friendship Park. Sometimes, Miguel goes with me, and we look for birds’ nests. We don’t bother them though—we just look! Sometimes, Thurgood climbs a tree with me, and we read books together. Where do you like to read? MiguelThurgood Sandy Squirrel

15. Building Blocks Kit Family Guide Activity Book (3–4, 5–6) Know Kit Cards (3–4, 5–6) Character Cards ABC Coloring Book Music CD Materials available in English and Spanish

16. Building Blocks Kit Family Guide The Family Guide is: Organized around six protective steps to help young children learn how to make positive, healthy choices. Includes tips, discussion starters, activities, and games that reinforce the important concepts and messages for children.

17. Building Blocks Kit Activity Book Ages 3–4 Ages 5–6

18. Building Blocks Kit Character Cards

19. Building Blocks Kit Know Kit Cards

20. Building Blocks Kit Wally Bear and Friends ABC Coloring Book

21. Building Blocks Kit Sing-Along Songs Music CD

22. 22 Building Blocks Easy Readers Play Day in the Park Look What I Can Do!

23. Building Blocks Articles The Building Blocks articles: Consist of a coordinated Family Article and Educator Lesson Plan; Incorporate the six protective steps; and Are based on emerging research on children’s social, emotional, and cognitive well-being.

24. Connecting Protective Steps With Building Blocks Articles Protective StepsFamily ArticleLesson Plan Communication—Establishing and maintaining open lines of communication with children Building Resilience Against Trauma Understanding and Responding to Trauma Engagement—Spending quality time with children Building Your Child’s Self-Confidence Promoting Summertime Learning Setting Limits—Create age- appropriate rules and enforce them consistently Creating Healthy Routines at Home Maintaining Healthy Routines in the Classroom

25. Connecting Protective Steps With Building Blocks Articles (cont.) Protective StepsFamily ArticleLesson Plan Role Modeling—Showing children positive behaviors Building Resilience Against Trauma Understanding and Responding to Trauma Social Skills—Teaching children how to make friends and get along with their peers Understanding and Preventing Bullying Preventing Bullying in the Classroom Supervision—Actively monitoring the activities, feelings, and health of children Letting Go: Encouraging Children To Try Something New Look What I Can Do! Building Confidence Through New Experiences

26. For Example … Lesson Plan

27. 27 Spread the Word Who should use Building Blocks? Parents/caregivers; Early childhood educators; Daycare providers; and Others who work with children.

28. How To Order Building Blocks materials are available for downloading from the Building Blocks website or for free through the SAMHSA Store at http://www.store.samhsa.gov/home

29. Questions and Answers For more Building Blocks information, please visit http://www.bblocks.samhsa.gov