The Module System:
Because the Path to a Child's Success Does Not Come in a Manual

Module I || Module II ||Module III || Module IV

Module I: Skills for Promoting Child Success
Participants will learn what contributes to success in the daily behavior of the children they care for. Success expectations will be aligned with developmentally appropriate behavior and goals. Participants will identify their current interaction style and how this impacts child success outcomes. Finally, the five characteristics and behaviors of the most effective style will be identified and discussed. The skills introduced here (e.g., empathy, adult messages, structuring, reinforcement, and rules, limits, and consequences) form the basis for all of Mariposa's Programs.

At the conclusion of this module, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the importance of social/emotional competence for academic achievement, social competence and physical health.
2. Understand how adults influence these child success factors as well as how they unintentionally contribute to child behavior problems.
3. Define, understand, and develop an individualized plan for fostering child health and well-being.

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Module II: Skills for Connection, Communication, and Cooperation
Two skills characterize this module: Empathy and adult messages. Empathy is the ability to identify the feelings, needs, and messages behind children's words and behaviors. It also involves the communication of these feelings and beliefs back to the child in a manner in which the child is able to hear. This exchange is important because it allows the child to feel understood, which is crucial before any changes can be made in their behavior. This skill is also beneficial because it promotes optimal development of neurological and physiological systems. Neurologically, children responded to in empathetic manners are better at organizing information and problem solving. Physiologically, empathy has a calming effect on children's heart rate and blood pressure and results in a decrease in the production of stress hormones.

An adult message communicates the adult's feelings and expectations to a child in a respectful and productive manner. The benefits of adult messages include the provision of feedback as to how the child's behavior affects others, an increase in the child's ability to develop empathy, and a decrease in hostile and rebellious behaviors. Essentially, these statements increase the likelihood that the child will hear what you have to say and give the child a chance to take action on their own.

At the conclusion of this module, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the benefits of empathy and adult messages, particularly the impact on the adult-child relationship and the child's ability to handle stress, problem solve, and develop self-control.
2. Identify and communicate the feelings behind the child's behavior in a manner that conveys acceptance and respect.
3. Identify and communicate the feelings the adult has in regard to the child's behavior.

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Module III: Skills for Problem Solving
The basis of problem solving skills, structuring, lies in the ability to break down problem into manageable steps, anticipate obstacles and develop a plan to reach goals. Structuring is a positive approach to managing behaviors in that it teaches participants to help children in a way that neither takes over nor leaves them without guidance. Problems specific to the age group in question are explored and ways to structure and handle those problems are discussed.

At the conclusion of this module, participants will be able to:

1. Clarify goals, identify obstacles and understand the nature of a problem specific to a child's group.
2. Teach children the structuring skill.
3. Develop a plan for addressing a challenging emotional or behavior problem.

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Module IV: Skills for Promoting Self-Control and Managing Difficult Behaviors
Behavior management is divided into two skills: Reinforcement and inductive discipline. Reinforcement involves the ability to increase a desired behavior. Benefits include being able to motivate children without contributing their dependency on others for approval. Inductive disciple is guiding a child's behavior by introducing appropriate limits and setting up logical consequences while explaining the rationales that support them. Inductive discipline supports the child's development of autonomy and mastery while simultaneously increasing the development of self-control.

At the conclusion of this module, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the differences between praise and encouragement and the pros and cons of each.
2. Identify a plan for increasing desired behaviors.

Identify rules and appropriate consequences to address a specific behavior problem.

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Parents	Professionals	Community	Who We Are
The foundation for our children's success begins at home. Mariposa teaches parents to recognize and address behaviors, good and bad. The result is...	Our children are not raised just by their parents. Daycare, school, and other organizations all play a role in the social and emotional well-being of our children. Mariposa has developed programs for teachers and caregivers of children at all age levels.	Community matters. All organizations and businesses can positively impact a child's success. Mariposa structures its programs to incorporate and maximize community involvement.	In 2008, Mariposa worked with over 1,400 parents, teachers, and care professionals, transforming the way our children are raised. The impact of our work extends beyond those we've taught, coached and counseled.