Core Life:

Primary Prevention Resources

Between 2013-2016, Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio developed a program called Core Life designed to improve 18 character traits in children in Grades K-4. Drawing on research from the Search Institute’s Developmental Assets® framework, Core Life was created to empower parents, teachers, and youth leaders in multiple settings to help youth succeed in life.

Primary Prevention

The Developmental Assets® are 40 research-based, positive experiences and qualities that empower young people with what they need to succeed. According to the Search Institute, studies of more than four million young people have consistently shown that the more assets that young people have, the less likely they are to engage in a wide range of high-risk behaviors and the more likely they are to thrive.

 

Teaching children about character nurtures their internal compass for living cooperatively and productively throughout life–at their current age and into their future.

The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think
critically. Intelligence plus character–that is the goal of true education.

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio has granted access to these K-4 materials for teachers, youth leaders, and parents and guardians. Suggested Use: Print the student worksheets for children. Send parent newsletters out via infinite campus or other school-specific intranet platform.

Grades K-2

In each box, you will find materials for Grades K-2. Each box includes a student newsletter, a lesson plan, and information for parents of children in grades K-2.

Feel free to download and use any of the materials in your classroom or when you want to emphasize certain character traits with the children you serve or parent.

Complete Set for Grade K

Set includes teacher lesson plans, student worksheets, and parent information for 18 character traits.

Complete Set For Grade 1

Set includes teacher lesson plans, student worksheets, and parent information for 18 character traits.

Complete Set for Grade 2

Set includes teacher lesson plans, student worksheets, and parent information for 18 character traits.

Grades 3–4

In each box, you will find materials for Grades 3-4. Each box includes a student newsletter, a lesson plan, and information for parents of children in grades 3-4.

Feel free to download and use any of the materials in your classroom or when you want to emphasize certain character traits with the children you serve or parent.

Optimist

A person who is hopeful about how things will turn out.

Gratitude

A feeling of thankfulness or appreciation.


Tolerance

The willingness to accept feelings, behavior, or beliefs that are different from your own.


Healthy Living

Choosing nutritious food, staying active, and avoiding toxic substances to be healthy inside and out.

Respect

Expressing a feeling of honor, appreciation, and admiration toward someone.

Moderation

Staying safely away from excesses or extremes.


Mindfulness

A way of thinking that nurtures happier and healthier living.

Perseverance

Having the self-discipline to continue a task in spite of many difficulties.

Courtesy

Polite behavior that shows respect for others.

Volunteer

To offer oneself for a service willingly and without pay.

Rules

A statement that tells you what is or is not allowed.

Goal Setting

A purpose or objective that one strives to achieve.

Wisdom

Having experience, knowledge, and good judgement.


Survival

The state or fact of continuing to live or exist, typically in spite of an accident, ordeal, or difficult circumstances.

Transformation

The belief that you can learn from or become smarter if you work hard and keep trying.


Empathy

The ability to understand and share another person’s experiences, emotions and feelings.

Responsible

Dependable; able to be
trusted and relied upon.

Honesty

Being Fair and truthful; not lying, cheating, or stealing.

Grades 5-6

In each box, you will find materials for Grades 5 and 6. This section includes a book, Feathers Across Time, and teacher study guides for 5th and 6th grades.

Feel free to download and use any of the materials in your classroom or when you want to emphasize certain character traits with the children you serve or parent.

 

Book for 5th & 6th Grade

This book complements the constructs of Core Life and is available as an
e-book on Amazon.com.

Teacher’s Guide for 5th Grade

Supplemental materials to facilitate the study of the book Feathers Across Time.

Teachers Guide for 6th Grade

Supplemental materials to facilitate the study of the book Feathers Across Time.

Additional Resources

In each box, you will find materials that supplement the use of Core Life Materials

Bibliotherapy Guide

Materials that can be used by the school counselor in small groups or one-on-one with students.

Bookmarks

Bookmarks for students to supplement the use of Core Life Materials.

Core Life was developed under the leadership of President, Elizabeth Atwell; Content Experts, Bonnie Hedrick, PhD and Jay Brewer, Superintendent of Dayton Independent Schools.

The design work was completed by The Creative Department in Cincinnati, Ohio.

For more information on MHA, visit: https://www.mhankyswoh.org/Home.

Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio