This program is for children who are 3 to 6 years old.

Al's Pals: Kids Making Healthy Choices (Al's Pals), a school-, community-, or faith-based program, is designed to help children develop social-emotional, problem-solving, self-control, and decision-making skills.

An internal randomized controlled trial revealed a significant prevention effect for a large Head Start sample. While there was no change in teacher-reported problem behaviors among intervention children, there was a significant increase in problem behaviors among children in the comparison group. Findings were mixed for social skills with inconsistent effects on two measures. Additionally, there was an increase in positive coping behaviors with no effect on negative coping behaviors.

The Al's Pals program encourages students to recognize and control their feelings and behaviors; solve problems and conflicts peacefully; establish an environment that promotes mutual support, compassion, and accountability; and celebrate differences in others. Program lessons are interactive and include guided creative play, use of puppetry, brainstorming, music, role-plays, and movement to engage young children. A puppet named Al and his pals, Ty and Keisha, are used to help children learn the following skills:

• Manage feelings and behaviors;
• Use kind words and display concern for others;
• Practice self-control;
• Think in flexible and creative ways;
• Avoid bullying behaviors;
• Create healthy relationships;
• Accept differences;
• Resolve conflicts peacefully;
• Practice healthy problem-solving steps;
• Cope with challenges in constructive ways;
• Make safe and positive choices; and
• Understand the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use.

Teachers incorporate program lessons into daily classroom interactions in order to help children practice their skills. Program posters, pictures, and music serve as reminders of Al's Pals lessons throughout the school day and are intended to help promote a positive learning environment.

Initiated in 1993, this program has been implemented in many U.S. states and in Canada and has been used in various settings, including early childhood classrooms, preschools, child care centers, Head Start programs, after-school programs, and faith-based programs.

Professional development opportunities are available from Teaching Strategies. Please visit https://teachingstrategies.com/product/professional-development/ or use details in the Contact section to learn more.

Considerations for implementing this program include acquiring buy-in from school administration and teachers; making arrangements for teachers to complete professional development, if desired; facilitators, and making time for program lessons.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing Al's Pals, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

The curriculum consists of 52 lessons, which are implemented twice a week for 20 minutes each.

The Al’s Pals Curriculum Kit (print resources) costs $1,030. Please visit https://shop.teachingstrategies.com/products/als-pals-social-emotional-learning-curriculum to place an order or visit https://teachingstrategies.com/request-pricing/ to submit a request to learn more about pricing.

To move the Al's Pals program to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at least six months from program completion.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

You may also contact Teaching Strategies by visiting https://teachingstrategies.com/contact/

https://shop.teachingstrategies.com/products/als-pals-social-emotional-learning-curriculum; https://crimesolutions.ojp.gov/ratedprograms/als-pals-kids-making-healthy-choices; https://teachingstrategies.com/product/als-pals-social-emotional-learning-curriculum/; and Lynch, Geller, and Schmidt (2004).