Taking the First Steps in Prevention Education
Footprints for Life™ is an engaging, evidence-based primary prevention program designed for second and third graders. Designed to build critical life skills in young learners, this program uses puppets and relatable stories from a children’s soccer team to teach valuable lessons in decision-making, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence.
By participating in this program, children develop the social competencies they need to navigate challenges, build positive relationships, and make healthy choices—laying the groundwork for lifelong success.
As an approved program by the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and reviewed by the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP), Footprints for Life offers a proven approach to prevention education.
Program Highlights
Fun and Relatable Learning
Lessons are taught using relatable stories from a children’s soccer team.
Hands-On Practice
Students actively use the skills they learn in real-world scenarios.
Research-Based Design
Developed by Wellspring Center for Prevention with evaluation by Rutgers University for positive outcomes.
How Footprints for Life Works
Building Social Competencies
The Footprints for Life™ program is designed to equip children with vital social and emotional skills that are critical for their development. By integrating hands-on activities, relatable storytelling, and interactive discussions, the program creates an engaging environment for young learners to practice and internalize these skills. Below are the core competencies and how they are fostered through the program:
- Planning and decision-making
- Interpersonal communication
- Peaceful conflict resolution
- Cultural competence
- Resistance to peer pressure
Grounded in Evidence-Based Practices
Footprints for Life™ draws on the theory of asset-based prevention, which highlights the importance of building positive experiences and qualities in children. Developed by The Search Institute, this approach has been shown to reduce the likelihood of risky behaviors by fostering essential developmental assets. By participating in this program, children gain the skills and resilience needed to make informed decisions, build meaningful relationships, and thrive both socially and academically.
Footprints for Life Lesson Plan
Stories That Inspire
The Footprints for Life program brings important life lessons to young learners through engaging stories featuring a children’s soccer team.
With relatable characters like Coach Katrina Kangaroo, Sarina Fox, Betsy Beaver, Ricardo Raccoon, Pete Porcupine, and Amir Armadillo, students practice essential social and emotional skills in a supportive and enjoyable environment.
Each story builds on these lessons, encouraging teamwork, empathy, and decision-making. Below are the detailed stories for each lesson that captivate and educate students during the program.
Lesson Synopses and Homework
Coach Katrina Kangaroo, a former college athlete, guides the team as they navigate their emotions. Sarina Fox brags about her family, while Betsy Beaver introduces her cousin Ricardo Raccoon, who is dealing with the loss of his father. Pete Porcupine struggles with anger when he feels left out. The team learns to express their emotions using “I” messages and begins to appreciate each other’s unique traits.
Betsy Beaver, Ricardo Raccoon, and Pete Porcupine brainstorm team names, but Sarina Fox feels excluded and criticizes their ideas. The team turns to Coach Katrina Kangaroo, who teaches them the Solution Stoplight™ method to resolve their conflict. Together, they agree on the name “Shooting Stars” and design blue jerseys with gold stars, fostering teamwork and mutual respect.
Ricardo Raccoon faces peer pressure to attend a movie without enough money. Desperate to join, he takes money from his aunt’s purse without asking, leading to punishment and self-reflection. Coach Katrina Kangaroo shares her story of past mistakes and helps Ricardo and the team understand the importance of planning ahead and considering the consequences of their actions.
Sarina Fox is caught smoking by her teammates Betsy Beaver, Ricardo Raccoon, and Pete Porcupine. Sarina’s behavior sparks a discussion on healthy decision-making, influenced by family habits and advertising. Coach Katrina Kangaroo teaches the team about the dangers of tobacco and alcohol, and Sarina decides to create a science project called “Truth and Consequences” to explore the topic further.
Betsy Beaver injures her leg and feels excluded from the championship game. Coach Katrina Kangaroo shares her own experience of overcoming setbacks and helps Betsy channel her frustration into productive tasks, like assisting with game preparations. The team supports Betsy by making banners together, demonstrating the value of teamwork and positive coping strategies.
Amir Armadillo, the new teammate, feels nervous about fitting in. Betsy Beaver’s creativity shines as she helps with game preparations while recovering from her injury. During a tense championship game, Amir makes mistakes and wants to quit. Ricardo Raccoon and Pete Porcupine use the Solution Stoplight™ method to address the conflict. With encouragement from the team, Amir gains confidence, and they achieve a sense of unity, proving that the “Shooting Stars” truly are a winning team.
Footprints for Life Resources
Resources for Parents
Below are some useful resources that you may find helpful. Some of the websites listed are specific to children, therefore you may want to share these sites with your children. Click on the links below to visit each site.
Resources for Teachers
To help provide additional information and background to this set of courses, we have put together a list of material on the web which should prove helpful. Below are some useful resources that you may find helpful. Click on the links below to visit each site.