We are pleased to be teaching a  program exclusive to Mission Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten called PATHS (Providing Alternative THinking Strategies).       This curriculum is designed to help the development of self-control, emotional awareness, and interpersonal problem-solving skills in children.              Through PATHS lessons, children are taught to �stop and think� before responding to various situations.  Through discussions, children learn to use verbal skills to solve problems and develop positive relationships with their classmates.      PATHS activities are a regular part of the school day.  Children will take turns being the PATHS kid.  During that time, your child will be able to share something of importance from home.  They will know it is their turn by following a list that we keep in the classroom. What Is PATHS?  It is a school curriculum designed to facilitate the development of self control, positive self-esteem, emotional awareness, and interpersonal problem-solving skills in children. What Is The Purpose Of PATHS? To enhance social and emotional competence in children and to develop a pro-social context that facilitates learning and educational processes in the classroom. Paths Objectives: Control arousal and behaviour through self-regulation, Focus on affective vocabulary and emotion processing, Integrate affective, Cognitive, and linguistic skills for effective problem solving, Promote positive self-esteem and peer relations. The Goals Of PATHS Are To Increase Self control, Self-esteem, Understanding the vocabulary of emotions and interpersonal communication, The ability to recognize and interpret the differences between feelings, behaviours and perspectives of self and others, Understanding attributional processes that lead to self-responsibility, Recognition and understanding of how one�s behaviour affects others, Motivation and use of creativity, Understanding and use of logical reasoning, Knowledge and skill in the steps of social problem solving. What Do Kids Need For The Future? Problem solving skills, Emotional understanding, Social skills, Communication skills, Ability to think for themselves, Healthy self-esteem, Self-control and independence, Cooperative work skills, Respect for individual differences. There Are 5 Major Conceptual Domains: Self-control, Emotional understanding, Building self-esteem, Relationships, Interpersonal problem-solving skills. How Is PATHS Taught? Lessons are taught twice per week for about 20 minutes.  We will be using parent letters, home activity sheets, scripts, stories and pictures, posters, Turtle and turtle stamps, emotional expression photographs and Feeling faces key rings and posters. Feelings & Relationships Unit: All feelings are OK to have; Some feel comfortable and some feel uncomfortable; All behaviours are not OK.  Children learn to judge and evaluate their behaviour, not their feelings. Important Concepts In The Management Of Feelings: There are different ways we can hide or change our feelings� Hiding our feelings is different from changing our feelings.  Hiding our feelings involves having control over our behaviours. Where else  is PATHS available? Mission Montessori is currently the only local school to use this program