Life Skills 101

Developed to meet National Health Education Standards, this excellent five-part series (with individual episodes available for $39.95 each) presents life skills that will help kids learn that staying healthy goes far beyond simply eating right and exercising. Each episode follows the same structure: Mrs. Peterson's class of diverse second/third graders, who are animated in the familiar South Park-style, are introduced to a particular life skill through a live-action video, in which Slim Goodbody explains one of the skills--media literacy, active listening, decision-making/problem solving, assertive communication, and stress management--through music and more animation. While there's plenty of humor, simple situational guidelines, and catchy songs, the programs never talk down to the audience, get touchy-feely, or try to oversimplify serious topics. Rather, kids are appropriately treated as decision-making individuals who have a large measure of control over their character development and quality of life. The examples are realistic, the solutions and strategies are very practical, and best of all, the videos are fun (and the accompanying print materials feature sensible lesson plans and follow-up activities). While each of the five episodes (Media Wise, Active Listening, Speaking Your Mind, Problems and Choices and Dealing with Stress) can stand alone, collecting all five would be ideal (and more economical). Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: E. (E. Gieschen)