Lower School Life Skills   In the Lower School, health and safety principles are reinforced and addressed by homeroom and special subject teachers. Sound health and safety practices, and the reasons behind them, are stressed. Discussions are often spontaneous, occurring at the “teachable moment.”  Understanding the unique needs of girls informs and guides classroom experiences.    Problem solving strategies for social situations are practiced in the classroom setting. Working as individuals, in teams, or as a class, the girls learn to make good choices and to take responsibility for their own actions. Accepting natural and logical consequences is part of each girl’s process of learning from her mistakes and successes. Daily classroom routines foster an inclusive environment. Social guidelines are explicitly stated, mutually agreed upon, and posted in each classroom. Circle time, class meetings, whole-school assemblies and service projects reinforce the sense of membership in a caring community. The Lower School “Life Skills for Wellness” program, designed by Baldwin’s Specialists in School, connects emotional growth and self-awareness with concepts of health, diversity and community. Conflict resolution training for all students is incorporated into the program, which is based on three principles: agree to work it out; listen to each other; solve the problem so everyone wins.

Lower School "Life Skills for Wellness" Curriculum PK - III: Supporting Skills for Emotional Intelligence    *     knowing your feelings    *     developing or encouraging empathy    *     managing your feelings    *     right behavior Good touch/bad touch Tolerance-building Bully-proofing Inclusion/exclusion Conflict resolution Grade IV: Safety Body changes Nutrition Peer relationships Family trees and family values Conflict resolution Grade V: Self-esteem and keeping voice Listening skills Decision-making Self-responsibility Transition to Middle School Body changes and body rights Nutrition and healthy choices for living Diversity Conflict Resolution