On Applebee Pond

Program Overview:
On Applebee Pond is a researched based curriculum designed by the Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission, Inc. In designing and developing the “On Applebee Pond” prevention curriculum Mercer County used as its foundation the prevention research that supports the identifying of risk factors and the strengthening of resiliency factors in children. OAP curriculum is targeted for pre-school, elementary and junior / senior high school students. OAP is designed as a cross-age teaching mechanism as the secondary level student facilitates the program which aids the pre-school and elementary age child in developing positive life skills. This puppet based program affords the opportunity to engage the students in prevention education simultaneously.
OAP is a comprehensive program with accompanying activities that allow the students to visually and audibly capture the content, interactively apply the information and demonstrate or model the skill learned. Pre / post tests and alternative assessment measures are included for measurement this purposes.
The program contains units of material that cover the following skills and information:
SELF ESTEEM – Pre-K & Grade 1 Grades 2-3
Awareness of our feelings and the feelings of others
Name calling
Being a good buddy
Coping with uncomfortable feelings
Things we can change and things we cannot change
Stress
SOCIAL SKILLS – Pre-K & Grade 1 Grades 2-3
How to ask for what you want
Look the person in the eyes
Say the person’s name
Ask for what you want, remember to say “please”
If they say “yes”, remember to say “thank you”
Coping skills should someone tell you “no”
Exploring reasons someone might say “no”
Alternative activities should someone tell you “no”
DRUG & ALCOHOL – Pre-K & Grade 1 Grades 2-3
Identifying feelings
Events that produce good feelings and bad feelings
Peer pressure
Facts about drugs
Reinforcement of say no/go/and tell
Poison and medicine safety
Asking for help
Alcohol and other drug addiction as an illness
Addiction in the family
Importance of sharing your feelings
PEACEMAKING – Grades 2-3
Conflict resolution using “Cool Clues”
Using the word “I”, state the problem
State the problem as the other person sees it
Tell how you are responsible for the problem
Brainstorm and choose a better solution
Exploring feelings
Understanding feelings
The importance of being a peacemaker at home, school and play
Qualities of a peacemaker
TOBACCO TIPS – Grades 2-3
Health risks to using tobacco
Identifying feelings
Relating feelings to behaviors
Exploring advertising
Facts about tobacco use
(Source: http://www.mercercountybhc.org/applebee-pond-2/ (c) 2021)