When we returned to the classroom after the new year, Planet Improv asked our students what they did over their winter break.

So, you may ask us what we did over our winter break.

We completed a grant application for the privilege of being trained upon and facilitating the “Too Good for Drugs” program (through the Mendez Foundation) to kindergarten through fifth graders.

(Below) is a post at dailyprogress.com that explains the benefits of having challenging conversations with children at a young age.

It’s never too early to talk with young people about alcohol and other substances by Hannah Firdyiwek

For many parents and caregivers, it can be difficult to know when and how to talk with their children about alcohol and other drugs. Although it may feel strange at first, having these conversations early and often plays a huge role in whether or not many teens choose to drink before the legal age of 21. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA, more than 80% of youths ages 10 to18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink.

Parents and caregivers are often a youth’s first source of information about alcohol and other drugs, so it is important to communicate clear messages of disapproval around underage drinking and substance use. It may seem like children and teens are not listening to these messages, but what parents and caregivers say makes a difference. In fact, the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that 85% of youths ages 12 to 20 did not drink alcohol in the past month.

Young people are more open to discussions related to alcohol and other drugs when parents and caregivers center the conversation around physical and emotional health. You can show that you care about your child’s health and wellness by approaching conversations from a place of care and concern, rather than blame and shame. Communicating to your children that you want them to be happy and safe reinforces that you are on their side — and someone they can turn to for support.

Youths as young as middle schoolers may be faced with situations involving alcohol or other drugs. Brainstorming together how to get out of unsafe situations is a great way to give your child the opportunity to discuss and practice strategies to use in the future. For instance, coming up with a code or phrase your teen can text you if he or she needs to get out of an uncomfortable or unsafe environment reminds the teen that he or she doesn’t have to navigate challenging situations alone.

Another way to engage teens in conversations around alcohol and substance use is by discussing the ways in which they can be a supportive friend. Youth are often more open to talking about alcohol when the conversation is focused less on their own behaviors and more on how they can be a good friend to others.

Sharing bystander strategies can help your teen feel like he or she knows how to respond effectively when worried about a friend’s alcohol or other drug use.

■ Direct: Always act immediately if the friend’s behavior is dangerous. This might involve getting other friends or adults to help or calling 911.

■ Distract: Suggest a different activity or offer a distraction by inviting the friend to go to a safer environment and stay with him or her.

■ Delay: If they can’t intervene in the moment, and the problem isn’t urgent, remind your teens to follow up with their friends at a later time to calmly share concerns about the specific behaviors that are worrying them.

Ask your teens to consider how they would want someone to help if the roles were reversed and encourage them to reach out to their friends with kindness and concern.

Talking with your teen can be hard, but your opinions on underage drinking and substance use matter.

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We as parents, caregivers, and educators sometimes shy away from conversation subjects that we feel our children and students are too young to understand.

We often underestimate the realities that our youth face in the real world and the confusion they feel about those subjects.

Perhaps it is then best to err on the side of too early as opposed to too late.