The BABES program uses believable, cuddly puppets to tell 6 story lessons. The curriculum includes:

Lesson #1 - Self Image
Lesson #2 - Peer Pressure & Good Decesions
Lesson #3 - Coping Skills
Lesson #4 - Alcohol & Drug Information
Lesson #5 - Getting Help
Lesson #6 - Chemical Dependency

The major concepts are expressed through animal puppets who are humanixed to be like men, women and children we all know. The BABES puppet characters are:

• Buttons & Bows McKitty are brother and sister kittens. They reflect the same feelings and emotions that real children experience and are used to demonstrate effective, acceptable ways of making decisions, coping and handling other life situations.
• Myth Mary is a squirrel who repeats everything she hears without knowing if it is factual or appropriate for the occasion, Much of what she says and does is based on myths and misconceptions, not only about alcohol, alcoholism and drug dependency, but also about every other life situation she experiences. Through her character, children come to realize how misguided some of their own beliefs are, I.e., "It’s wrong to feel angry" or "Alcoholics are bad people", and other myths.
• Early Bird gives a "honk-honk" early warning signal for self defeating behavior in general and gives the consequences for decisions that are not healthy for the mind and body.
• Donovan Dignity is a wise owl who corrects Myth Mary’s misconceptions and shares a lot of other good information about ways of having a happy, healthy life. He presents things in a factual, non-judgmental manner in ways children understand.
• Recovering Reggie is a dog who is a recovering cross-addicted alcoholic. He tries to erase the stigma attached to chemical dependency and to pass on the lessons in living he has learned a part of his recovery.
• Rhonda Rabbit lives in a home with two cross-addicted alcoholics. She is also an abused child. She is the "voice of experience" and can tell children first-hand what has happened to her and how she copes.

This 6 week program is a primary prevention program designed to assist children ages 5 to 8 in developing positive living skills. BABES accomplished this goal by providing the children with accurate, non-judgmental information.

THE BABES COMMITMENT

BABES (Beginning Alcohol and Addictions Basic Education Studies) is founded on one belief. Children are entitled to have happy, healthy lives, free from substance abuse.

In this very vane, BABES is committed to providing children with healthy living skills and information needed for a lifetime of protection from substance abuse.

By being sensitive to and approaching children at specific developmental level, BABES presents complex concepts in a simple, factual, non-threatening manner.

BABES is committed to remaining state-of-the-art by constantly updating its curriculum, consistent with new research regarding the long term effects of substance abuse prevention on the lives of young people.

Through your caring and guidance along with the BABES commitment, we can change the world.

If you would like information on getting BABES in your school, please contact

The Solutions Foundation at

www.solutions-foundation.org